Born in Arcachon, France, Bimantara somehow ended up stranded in Indonesia. A full-time illustrator, he’s been drawing since he was a kid, long before it became his profession. Outside of illustration, he plays music and, these days, is also navigating life as a new parent. We caught up with Bimantara to talk about his work with Crust Bikes, the man behind The Sparky Boy, and a few things beyond the drawing table.
M: Hi Mas Bima, it’s really nice to have you here. Before we get into the details, could you tell us a little about yourself? Who is Bima, where do you live, and what does your everyday life look like?
B: I was born in Arcachon, France. I only lived there for a very short time before somehow ending up stranded in Indonesia. Haha. I spent a lot of time in Bali and Surabaya growing up, following my parents around. These days, I’m based in Jakarta. You could say I’m kind of nomadic. I’m currently a full-time illustrator, and I play music in my spare time. I’ve loved drawing ever since I was a kid. For me, drawing has always been like a playground where I can let my imagination run wild. My daily life is pretty dynamic these days, especially as a new parent, while still being hungry to explore and sharpen my creativity. Lol.
M: I’d love to hear how it all started. How did you first get the opportunity to work with Crust Bikes? Was it something you had been working towards, or did the opportunity come unexpectedly? And how was the experience of creating the decals for the Stupid Tourist bike? Was there a particular story or idea behind the illustrations?
B: It was quite a surprise, actually. It came out of nowhere. They had commissioned a few illustrations from me before, but I only really connected the dots after The Stupid Tourist was released.The brief was all about tourism gone wrong messy, careless, and chaotic. They wanted me to come up with a few characters, and I responded by embracing the stupidity of it all. It was fun to illustrate the ridiculous situations these characters find themselves in. They’re basically trying to find some peace of mind or a bit of healing while on vacation, but somehow it never happens. Haha
M: When it comes to your illustrations, where do you usually find inspiration? Is it from everyday life, music, the people you meet, or the things you see along the way?
B: A lot of my inspiration comes from music, old animated films, and vintage comics mostly European comics, since I grew up being pretty exposed to that kind of stuff. I also love expressive characters and slapstick humor.
M: I also noticed your character, Lumin: The Sparky Boy. I’m curious about the world behind that character. What inspired you to create him, and what kind of story do you want to tell through him?
B: Lumin Sparky is my own character, or IP, that I’m currently developing. He’s the main character in an adventure comic I’m working on. He’s a kid who brings light into all the chaos around him. The whole thing has a whimsical feel to it, which is something I really enjoy exploring.
M: Since your work is connected to the cycling world, I’m curious — are you also into cycling yourself? Or did your connection with bicycles start more from the creative side?
B: Cycling is definitely a big part of my childhood memories. It played a huge role in my everyday life back then, when all those little adventures began. I’m pretty familiar with riding bikes. It all started with BMX, haha.
M: If you do ride, what kind of cycling do you enjoy the most? Is it more about exploring new places, spending time with friends, or simply enjoying the ride?
B: I’m the kind of person who enjoys riding solo. It’s my me time a chance to enjoy the present moment and just be in my own world. It’s almost meditative. But riding with other people is fun too, especially when there’s good banter and everyone is just having a good time. Nothing complicated. It’s as simple as that.
M: Do you think being around cycling culture has influenced your artwork or the way you see things creatively?
B: Definitely. There’s something about the adventurous spirit of cycling that really sparks my creativity. I’m especially drawn to vintage road bikes, with their warm and bright color palettes. There’s just a certain vibe to them that I find inspiring.
M: And is there a particular bicycle ride, place, or moment that has stayed with you?
B: I used to ride my bike from home to the beach quite often when I lived in Bali. Those rides have really stuck with me, and I still remember them fondly to this day. I feel like music can be such a big part of the creative process, so I have to ask: what kind of music do you usually listen to when you’re drawing? Quite a lot of different stuff. Lately, I’ve been listening to instrumental music, soundtracks, hip-hop, and jazz. Pretty much anything that helps me get into the flow while drawing, from the very first sketch all the way to the finished piece. Once again, it’s kind of meditative.
M: I also noticed Lumin: The Sparky Boy, and it made me curious about your personal taste in music. What’s one song you’ve been listening to a lot lately, or a song you’d call your all-time favorite?
B: “Gorillaz! And The Moon Cave. Their album The Mountain has been on heavy rotation lately.“
M: Looking back at your journey as an illustrator, what has been one of the most memorable projects or experiences for you so far?
B: Definitely The Stupid Tourist project with Crust Bikes. That one’s a memorable one for sure
M: And is there anything you’re currently working on or looking forward to that you’re excited to share?
B: I’m currently working on a comic featuring my own character, Lumin Sparky. It’s an exciting personal project because I’m writing and illustrating everything myself. Stay tuned! ;D
