Kostar’s Florida take on Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon.” This street-style piece swaps the girl for a gator and adds a hopeful twist, “There is always hope!” A gritty, heartfelt nod to resilience, love, and gator attitude.

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan

Brian Kostar, known artistically as Kostar (pronounced co-star, like in a movie), is a versatile creator whose primary medium is acrylic paint. His signature style features bold lines and illustrative designs, often blending surreal mash-ups, clever puns, and ironic imagery.

Much of Kostar’s work centers around animals, particularly alligators and Florida wildlife, but a consistent hallmark in every piece is the presence of a skull. Sometimes it’s boldly displayed, other times subtly hidden in the details. This recurring symbol reflects Kostar’s belief that beneath all differences, age, race, religion, sexuality, or gender, we share the same foundations. In that shared essence, we are all connected.

Although he's been creating art his entire life, Kostar began exhibiting professionally in January 2022 and made the leap to full-time artist by March of that year. Since then, he’s been warmly embraced by the St. Pete community and continues living his best weird life. As a queer artist, Kostar is proud to be part of the city's diverse and inclusive creative scene, where he feels safe expressing his authentic self. His journey is fueled by the support of patrons who help turn this lifelong dream into reality.