I drew and painted this character in 2011 and redoing in 2025 is a challenging yet fun exercise to build momentum. Its a trip to see how much I’ve grown as an artist and I can see theres still so much to learn. But in the meantime, check out the comparison below.
This is the original version. In the late 90s film starring Wesley Snipes his partner and friend Whistler said he discovered Blade as a homeless teenager. Here I imagine him making a way into civilian life, high school maybe for the first time after getting some support. Whatcha think? Holler.
Hey fam, hope you are well despite the many struggles that come w/ surviving in capitalism. I made this graphic because while I have been visiting schools, libraries, and organizations for over 13 years there still a lot of Northern California cities where I’m from that I have not visited. Some of these I’ve never visited as an author/illustrator and some of them not nearly enough. I get lots of visits from my hometown of Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, etc. but I would like to venture beyond my area more in 2025 and the coming years.
Note: When I speak to children I am respectful and kind, but I am very honest about things like systems of oppression, war, genocide, sexism, racism, etc. I do however try to tailor my words to be appropriate to the age I’m speaking to.
Would you like to invite me to talk to your students or families? Do you know a teacher, librarian, or organizer in one of these cities who would invite me to speak to their students? What can I offer?
TK-3rd grade– Picture book readings
3rd-8th grade– Art book + literacy (Illustration, gaming, fashion, animation, makers)
High School/College– A career in the arts presentation (murals, illustration, kids books)
How do you get in contact with me? Use the contact form on my website, dm me, or email me at info@robdontstop.com
Dig this?Here are some past school visits to check out:
Ok here is my first Inspiration board for 2025. A lot of this comes from last year but some of it is brand new. Alright, lets run it down, top to bottom, left to right.
Event:8th Annual Social Justice Children’s Book Fair I have co-organized for 8 years!Peep it!
Network: PBS or Public Broadcasting Service TV network puts out great shows, videos about educational and informative topics and I wish I could give them more money and resources! Watch!
Book: Ghost Roast is middle grade graphic novel about family, class, the supernatural, and history. Read it.
Music: The Long Kiss Goodnight is a newish LP by Rocky Rivera and Otayo Dubb (Hip hop). Listen!
Music:If You See Someone Stealing Food…No You Didn’t is a new LP by Bambu (Hip Hop). Listen!
Book: Our Little Kitchen is a great picture book by Jillian Tamaki about cooperation and community. Read it.
Art:Monica Trinidad made this incredible piece that sums up my feelings about people vs corporations.Peep it.
Art: This illustration is about story artist Paul Briggs whos an incredible illustrator. Check him out.
Book:Mexikid is a great all ages graphic novel by Pedro Martin about family, being bicultural, childhood, etc. Read it!
Film: We Like it Like That is a great doc about a musical sub genre born in NYC by Matthew Ramirez Warren. Watch it!
Music:Saw Emily King (Singer, songwriter, guitarist) play live and shes incredible soul music.Listen!
Podcast: The Light is a great show by photographer Brooke Anderson about movement artists and cultural workers.Listen!
Book:Swim Team is a great all ages graphic novel about growing up, appearances, history, and swimming by Johnnie Christmas.Read it.
Health: Yoga! Ive been practicing for almost 15 years now. I do it weekly and it helps stretch my mind and body. Learn more.
Film:Ultraman Rising is a really cute take on an old school Japanese character by Shannon Tindle.Watch it!
Podcast: Asian American History 101 is a great podcast about people, places, things, and events from AAPI history. Listen!
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more
What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments. Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.
I drew and painted this character in 2014 and while I have lots of shit to do, sometimes its fun to just revisit or in this case redo old work. Part of it is to see how much I’ve grown and pat myself on the back for a moment. Part of it is to think about where I want to go skills wise. Soooo…
Here’s a side by side comparison of this “Butterfly Boy”. 2014 version and a 2025 version. Thoughts? Improvements? Thoughts?
Hey fam, its been a year since I posted one of these. I wish I could post them more often but sketchbooks take time. At least they do for me and even when I share them, I’m not showing you every single page. You gotta pull up to see that. Anyways, check it out. I’m just coming out of an uninspired period. I make art of course, but was I feeling it like I used to? Naw. So, I’m starting to feel it again and just enjoying myself.
There are 5 of these tour now. Been doing them for 3 years now and I’m not rushing. Just taking my time. Watch!
Rights of Every Child is a project by author and activist Danielle Davis. Its a project that seeks to highlight the human rights of children all over the world through artwork. Here’s a word from them:
The Rights of Every Child Initiative is here! It’s time. It’s time to spread the word. It’s time to speak out for children. It’s time to uphold their vital rights. We are inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document signed by all UN countries and ratified by all but one: the US. This document outlines fundamental rights around how we must protect children. In the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond we will share illustrations by talented, caring artists who are vocal about children’s rights that convey one of rights as only they can. The language is distilled and simplified for our purpose and so that the heart of it that’s close to the artist’s heart comes through. It’s time. Thank you for joining us as this movement grows, blooms into something we can only create and do together on behalf of children—every one.
Here’s what I wrote about the piece:
With this illustration I wanted to focus on the light, innocence, and power that can come from a child. If given the space to speak they can have some pretty powerful observations, ideas, and solutions. The problem is adults who have either forgotten what it means to truly listen and empathize with children; or the adults have lost their own humanity. I wanted the child to have warmth and light and I illustrated the adults holding the microphones more dull as they sometimes feel this way.
I chose this [right] because I do believe we don’t listen to young people enough.
I typically search for several reference pictures, collage them together using photoshop and then make a sketch. After the sketch is done, I redraw it on thicker paper and paint it using watercolor.
Hey, the end of year is almost here. I’ve been making some new prints, stickers, etc since the beginning of the year and theres a wealth of books and art in my shop which has accumulated over the years. But, I’m going to take a break until the new year. So, if you wanna get a phystical item from my shop please order by DEC 19TH. Only digital downloads will be in the shop during the break.
Been awhile since I uploaded a drawing from my sketchbook. I have been overdrive mode for the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair over the last few months so its nice to get back in there and draw. No specific outcome, just drawing. Most of these including photo reference Ive collected. RIP to my aunt Anita.
Folks, the time has come for the 8th annual Social Justice Children’s Book Fair! We have been working and planning on this one for a whole year! Peep this video.
📣 Some of y’all still might not know this but I’m one of many organizers of this little but powerful book fair for kids. We rep Bipoc, Queer, Social Justice Minded, traditionally published and self published creators trying get their work to kids. We started this in 2017 right after the first Trump Election. All volunteers, all gas for 8 yrs now. This year we finally got some funding via The Akonadi Foundation and fiscal sponsorship from The Social Good Fund w/the help of “Jill Kunishima”.
We’ve hosted hella authors, illustrators, publishers, organizations, and community. People in red states, shit even counties just outside of the town hate on it, but if you’re feeling some type of way-don’t forget the power of a small dedicated group of homies. Take a break, but keep going. Stay principled and curious. #socialjusticechildrensbookholidayfair
Sunday Afternoon- For Amina’s family, music is medicine. Almost every Sunday , the phones and ipads were put away to do one thing: Music. The rules were: do your chores your homework, play, read, or relax but throw on your favorite music and just chill out. And so Betty listened to an album from vinyl club, Maya practiced scales , and mama just relaxed to her favorite that week.
What is this? Short stories are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, to practice, and to stretch out by trying new ideas for stories. In 2010 they started off as a way to practice the format of picture books but I’m interested in other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.
