PunkmeTender Blue Void (2022, acrylic paint and aluminum butterflies on cement wall), 24 feet x 200 feet; PHOTO COURTESY OF PUNKMETENDER
For this special issue, Angeleno collaborated with L.A.-based French artist Romain Lefebvre, aka PunkmeTender, to create a meaningful cover with a message of hope and resilience. Repped by Art Angels, Lefebvre started his art career in the early 2000s focusing on street art, working closely with Mr. Brainwash before eventually shifting his focus to fine art. Lefebvre’s message of hope resonates strongly in the wake of the wildfires. “Art can transport the mind, providing a temporary escape from pain while also helping to process deep emotions,” he says. “For many, sorrow is difficult to articulate or even visualize, but art creates a portal—both visually and emotionally—through which people can release, reflect, and ultimately begin to heal.”
"The hardest moments in life often carry the greatest potential for change. They strip us down, break our illusions and push us to rebuild in ways we never thought possible."–PUNKMETENDER
How did you know you were meant to be an artist?
I never set out to be an artist—it simply unfolded naturally. It was meant to be.
How did creating street art eventually lead to making fine art?
In the beginning, creating art in the streets was a personal challenge—a balance between pushing boundaries and embracing the freedom of expression. There was an undeniable thrill in working within unpredictable conditions, from avoiding authorities to adapting to limited time, tools, and everchanging weather. However, these constraints also became a creative limitation, making it difficult to fully develop ideas and explore artistic depth.
PunkmeTender Sunset Meets Infinity (2020, acrylic paint and aluminum butterflies on canvas) 84 inches x 72 inches; PHOTO COURTESY OF PUNKMETENDER
Transitioning to fine art was a natural evolution. It provided the opportunity to refine my craft, experiment with new techniques, and dedicate more time and attention to each piece. The studio became a space for exploration, where ideas could be fully realized without external pressures. This shift also opened doors to galleries, allowing my work to reach a wider audience and gain recognition in a more structured and sustainable way. While street art will always be a part of my journey, fine art has given me the freedom to elevate my vision and push my creativity further.
How did you connect with Thierry Guetta, aka Mr. Brainwash?
I met Thierry Guetta just a few months after immigrating to the U.S. At the time, I had no money, no connections, no job, and I didn’t speak English. But I managed to negotiate a small job in exchange for free rent in one of his apartments. Back then, Thierry wasn’t an artist—he was a filmmaker. My job was to film for him, capturing moments as he documented the underground street art scene.
L.A.-based Romain Lefebvre, aka PunkmeTender, worked closely with Mr. Brainwash when he arrived in Los Angeles the early 2000s; PHOTO COURTESY OF PUNKMETENDER
We were filming some of the most influential street artists of the time, a movement that was raw, rebellious, and still largely undiscovered. I quickly fell in love with it. After a few years of filming, Shepard Fairey designed the first Mr. Brainwash stencil, and from that moment, everything started to change. I began transitioning from filming to actively creating art. Every day, I worked on new stencils, painted murals and helped develop the artistic direction while Thierry focused on completing his documentary for Banksy.
Almost every night, we would go out into the streets of Los Angeles, leaving our mark through street art. It was during this time that I found our visual language—a fusion of graffiti, paint splashes and stencils. Thierry introduced the concept of integrating celebrity faces, and together, we shaped what became the signature Brainwash style.
Seventeen years later, after dedicating so much time and energy behind the scenes, I found myself increasingly in the shadows. It became clear that it was time for me to step forward, embrace my own artistic identity and receive the proper recognition for my work. Now, I am finally free to create under my own name, fully expressing my vision on my own terms.
What inspires your work?
Life itself is the greatest source of inspiration for my work. It’s an ever-evolving journey where every experience, no matter how big or small, leaves an imprint on my creativity. Traveling to new places, meeting people from different walks of life, and witnessing raw, unfiltered moments of beauty or chaos all fuel my artistic expression. Sometimes, inspiration strikes in the most unexpected ways—a fleeting conversation, the energy of a crowded street, the stillness of a quiet sunrise, or the emotions stirred by a powerful film.
Art, in all its forms, also plays a significant role. A visit to a museum can transport me into the mind of a master, sparking new ideas and perspectives. A single brushstroke in a centuries-old painting or a frame from a beautifully shot movie can ignite something within me, pushing me to explore new techniques and narratives. My inspiration knows no boundaries; it is fluid, limitless, and constantly evolving, shaped by the world around me and the emotions it evokes.
What artists do you admire?
I have deep admiration for many artists, particularly those in music and fashion. I’m drawn to visionaries who have created their own unique worlds—artists like Yves Saint Laurent, Daft Punk, and Salvador Dalí. Their ability to push boundaries, redefine their industries and craft an unmistakable artistic identity is truly inspiring. Whether through fashion, music, or visual art, I admire those who transform their creativity into an immersive experience, leaving a lasting impact on culture and beyond.
L.A. has been through an unthinkable tragedy with the wildfires. What role do you think art plays in healing after something like this?
The Los Angeles fire tragedy is a profound trauma—one that remains difficult to fully comprehend even now. In times like these, art plays a crucial role, serving as more than just a form of expression. It has the power to bring people together, offering a sense of unity and solace through shared experiences.
Art can transport the mind, providing a temporary escape from pain while also helping to process deep emotions. For many, sorrow is difficult to articulate or even visualize, but art creates a portal—both visually and emotionally—through which people can release, reflect, and ultimately begin to heal. It becomes a silent yet powerful language, allowing emotions to take shape when words fall short.
You are known for your beautiful butterfly pieces. Can you walk us through your process of creating them?
I create a great deal of art centered around butterflies, and the creative process behind it is purely organic. It’s not driven by extensive planning or analysis but rather by instinct and emotion. Each piece emerges naturally, guided by feeling rather than thought, allowing the art to take on a life of its own.
It’s so easy to get distracted by the news and social media. What do you like to do to get into a creative headspace?
Constantly surrounded by visual and auditory stimulation, I value the quiet moments I carve out for myself each morning. I either go for a one-hour run or hit the gym, a routine I maintain five times a week. It’s the only way for me to preserve a healthy, creative spirit and maintain balance. Another place that helps me reset and find clarity is the beach. There’s something deeply grounding about watching the waves roll in, feeling the warmth of the sun, and simply existing in that peaceful, unhurried space. It’s a moment of stillness that reconnects me to myself and fuels my creativity.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on an entirely new collection inspired by a variety of iconic images. I’m also preparing for several upcoming exhibitions and developing a documentary that tells the story of my life and artistic journey.
PunkmeTender Chromatic Whispers (2023, acrylic paint and aluminum butterflies on canvas) 72 inches x 64 inches; PHOTO COURTESY OF PUNKMETENDER
How do you see your work evolving over time?
I don’t allow myself to plan too far into the future—I prefer to fully experience each moment, whether it brings joy or sorrow. My work, much like a butterfly, evolves naturally and organically, guided by emotion and the flow of life.
Do you have any messages about creativity and beauty you can share for those who may be suffering from loss right now?
From my personal experience, I’ve learned that what we perceive as loss is often better understood as a lesson. At the moment, it may feel like something has been taken away, a void left behind by pain or disappointment. But when you look deeper, loss is not an end—it’s a challenge, a turning point, an invitation to grow.
It may seem strange to call it an opportunity, but sometimes, only tragedy has the power to shake us so profoundly that it forces a transformation we never anticipated. The hardest moments in life often carry the greatest potential for change. They strip us down, break our illusions and push us to rebuild in ways we never thought possible.
If you allow yourself to see it that way, every loss becomes fuel for reinvention, a catalyst for the next chapter waiting to unfold. So take control of your narrative. Be the writer of your own story, the architect of your own destiny. Transform your pain into purpose, and illustrate your own metamorphosis.
Photography by: PUNKMETENDER
