The Painter Who Saves Bees

Steve Downs is an artist and beekeeper based in Southern California. For over two decades, he has made it his work to remove bee colonies safely, relocating every hive to one of five private sanctuaries he maintains in the Santa Monica Mountains.

What began as a creative hobby (painting vivid, one-of-a-kind designs on wooden bee boxes) grew into something larger. The name Beecasso started as a play on words among friends who saw the painted hives. The bees needed more than beautiful homes; they needed someone willing to get them out of walls, attics, and commercial buildings without chemicals or pesticides.

Over the years, Steve has removed hives from homes, schools, churches, and commercial properties across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. He has been trusted by Universal Studios for on-lot bee removal and endorsed publicly by Diane Keaton. His work has been featured on Inside Edition, LAmag, and regional news outlets throughout Southern California.