If you’ve walked around Kemptown (Brighton’s gay village) recently, you’ll probably have seen one of the fantastic new posters for Brighton Bear Weekend. We talked to the illustrator who designed them, Bobo-Bear, to find out more about him and his amazing artwork …

Bobo-Bear and poster

Can you please tell us about yourself and what you do?

I’m an Italian guy who left his lifetime job in a supermarket, packed his stuff and moved to London a couple of years ago, to follow his true passion: drawing. Sitting in a cafe in central London and being inspired by new people, I created Adam, my first bear character, and then Bobo-Bear: sexy bears printed on t-shirts, mugs, bags and more.

Two bears

Can you tell us about your in-store appearance at Prowler in Brighton during Brighton Bear Weekend?

I’m really proud to be part of Brighton Bear Weekend! On Saturday 17 June from 5:30 to 7:00pm, Bobo-Bear will be officially launched in Prowler Brighton, where you will find a selection of my designs on tees and mugs. I’ll be there to sign t-shirts and meet the people who like my work … and a hot guy wearing one of my tees will delight our eyes!

Bobo and Bear by wall

Any exciting projects coming up? What are you working on at the moment?

I can’t believe how busy I am! I’m adding some drawings to the summer collection, before I go to Madrid, London and Brighton Gay Prides, where I will be on the street handing out stickers and invitations for people to join me online and meeting up with fans of my work. I always feel so lucky and excited when I meet someone wearing one of my t-shirts!

I just delivered a new drawing for the club Inferno in Chicago, for their annual big party. I’m also celebrating a partnership with US brand Bearded Shirts, now presenting a small collection of my bears.

Going forward, I can finally say I’ve been drawing Bold Queens for over a year: hijinx and tomfoolery entertainment with 26 of the world best drag queens. I’m very excited about the whole project, and in particular the sick cartoon series.

Bobo and bear in underpants

Where can we see more of your work?

My designs are available on Redbubble as t-shirts, phone covers, mugs and stationery.

You can also find me as bobobearart on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, on my website www.bobo-bear.com and maybe on the chest of your friends!?

Thanks, Bobo-Bear!

Bobo-Bear will appear in person at Prowler (112-113 St. James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH) on Saturday 17 June from 5:30 to 7:00pm.

Click any image in the gallery below to view it full-size:

[envira-gallery slug=”bobo-bear”]