Character 178 – Hijabi skater. I was practicing with gouache and thinking this young lady would be a hijabi skater. A champion on the low.
Hey, my name is Rob and I’m an author illustrator. My latest book is Fresh Juice pub by Lee & Low Books.
Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last Character Collage of figures from 2020-2024
Its been awhile since I did a self portrait. Here’s a new one with gouache. Actually the last one I did was in gouache too. You can see that one here.
My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an author/illustrator from Oakland Ca. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” pub by Lee & Low Books.
Here’s a bit of process!
Dig this? Chedk out my last sketchbook and studio tour.
I started working with Chapter 510 who commissioned the above portraits in 2014 maybe. Maybe earlier but they were one of the first organizations (Janet, Mariah, and Erica) who loved my work, approached me to work with them and illustrate portraits, characters, and more for their website, marketing materials, etc. The above portraits were done in collaboration with the Oakland Public Library over the span of many years.
Chapter 510 is an incredible organixation, similar to 826 Valencia in SF where they cultivate, nourish, and feed young writers, poets, and storytellers with classes, workshops, opportunities to publish, events, slams, readings, and more. Couple that with Oakland Public Library who offers a wealth of knowledge, stories, resources, entertainment, and community space and you havee a powerful combo.
I just wanted to share a collage looking back over the years of some of these poets!
These are some moments of action at Chapter 510.
Here’s one more portrait of a young poet named Greer.
Dig this? Check out some ink drawings I did of some writers at Chapter 510, or the artwork I did for the Oakland Public Library summer reading series.
Short story 34 – It sounded the way Big momma described the big earthquake of 06′. Loud and out of nowhere. One minute we’re out at the theater watching War of The Worlds, the next we’re running for our lives. Shrieks and wind seem to hit you at every turn. Me, Loretta, Doris, and Addie weree the first to catch the trolly car. Earl? Well, we thought he was on with us but he wasnt.
What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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.
Here’s some of my past short stories:
Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE
Been messing round with gouache again lately to try something new. Still getting the hang of it but I enjoyed painted this one of who I imagine is a sister training other sisters on self defense because we need to be able to defend ourselves.
Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last character collage of figures from 2020-2024
Check out my latest sketchbook tour
Yo, came across Bobby Pontillas years ago through his sketches and characters online, then found his name on some of the illest animated films like Big Hero 6, Moana, Frozen, Zootopia, Ice Age, Wreck it Ralph, Rio, Spies in Disguise and more. Beyond that dude is one of the cofounders of Rise Up Animation a program aimed at helping more Bipoc creators into the animation biz which is hard af! He’s worked as an animator, Character design, director and more. Check out more of his work here.
I love the moments he crafts, you feel like you’re there or in the second or two before it happens. I also love to see the depiction of brown Filipino/a children! We don’t see enough animated film, or tv shows depicting Asian American or Asian children.
Check out this short film he co-directed – One Small Step! Incredible!
What’s this? This is where I share inspiring artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times indirectly. I love seeing the caliber of work Bobby puts out and hope to see him direct something big one day. Here are some others to check out:
Cymone Wilder– Typographic artist and designer
Elizabeth Catlett – Sculptor and fine artist
Olivia Fields– Illustrator, cartoonist
Helen Mingjue Chen– Illustrator, concept artist
Dig this? Check out my latest inspiration board
Hey fam, I connected with the homie Darryl Harvey about this upcoming event in Oakland at the historic AAMLO library on 14th St. I hope to see you there. Darryl is from Chicago and started these events before th pandemic in the midwest first, then slowly building to other cities such as Cincinatti, Charlotte, Minneapolis and more. Not many folks in the Bay know this one since its brand new but I hope to connect our local Black author eco system to it. And I hope to make it out to the mother city-Chicago.
You can check out some photos and video from some of their previous event here.
Ok. These are fun to do to look back and share work that I reeally liked. As an artist I do a bunch of art and wear many hats but I dont always love every project. These are a feew that I love. Top to bottom, left to right. These are usually shared in December of each year I think, but hey-better late than never. #ArtVsArtist2025 #artVSartist
Dig this? Check out my most recent book Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco. Or check out the last time I did #artVSartist in 2023. Check that out here.
Jones (London, UK) – Giving it up Joe Hertz Remix 2020
I was out shopping with my son at a store when this song came on and I immediately shazam’d it!
What is this? This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover. My name is Rob and I’m an artist and author from the Bay Area.
Darius Feat Duñe (UK) – Feels Right 2021
I came across this song recently and really enjoyed the synths on it. It grooves hard and I dig it!
Gavlyn & DJ Hoppa (Los Angeles, CA) – Stepping Stones 2020
I love it when hiphop and house collide like this. LA’s Gavlyn and DJ Hoppa really did their thing with this jam.
Astralblak aka Zulu Zuluu (Minneapolis, MN) – Jerkin 2019
I don’t know much about this group but I’ve enjoyed a few songs from them 🙂
Trackademics Feat 1 O.A.K. & YMTK (Oakland, CA) – Grab Somebody 2018
Town biz- Track, OAK, and Young Murph are all great artists from Oakland and Alameda-Bay Area.
Lyricl (UK) – When You Read This Atjazz remix 2021
I don’t hear this enough, great poets set to house beats. Loved this when I heard it. Maybe from Mr Choc or Shortkut?
Louie Vega & The Martinez Bros feat Marc E. Bassy (Manhattan, NY) – Let it go 2020
Louie Vega is a house legend and I came across this one on YouTube and love it!
Full Crate feat Gaidaa (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – A Storm On A Summers Day 2018
I know Full Crate from his work with Mar and I found Gaidaa via the YouTube channel COLORS. Awesome collaboration.
Aroop Roy (London, UK) – Todo Mundo Tem Amor 2020
This is an incredible mix of sounds on a house track. the vocal samples are an incredible touch too. Made for dancing!
Peven Everett (Chicago, IL) – Stuck Phil Asher Remix 2008
I’ve heard Peven through DJ Spinna and this is one of the first tracks I heard from Phil Asher (RIP). Incredible remix!
Fantasia Barrino ( North Carolina ) – Free Yourself JLMT edit 2016
We all know Fantasia from thee TV show but I’d never heard her with a house mix, also heard this through Twitch!
Brothers Maklovich feat Leven Kali (NYC/ Toronto) – Give Love To Get Some Waajeed Remix 2020
Ok, I know of A-Trak from the DJ Battle circuit before he became a record label owner, and found his brother through him. Waajeed through PPP, and I’m new to Leven Kali.
Mick Jenkins feat Ravyn Lenae (Chicago, IL) – Communicate prod by Kaytranada 2020
My bro Bounce put me on to Mick Jenkins years ago. He has a distinct and super swaggy flow. I found Ravyn through Spotify-incredible duo! And with a Kaytranada beat!?
DIG THE MUSIC? THERE’S MORE!
Ok thats it fam, if you dug this share it with a friend, comment with some musical suggestions, and if you want to support me you can do so at my shop. My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist/ author from the Bay Area. Here’s one more gem…..
Nathan Haines feat Marlena Shaw ( New Zealand/ US) – Squire For Hire (Restless Soul/ Phil Asher?) 2018
I don’t know much about Nathan Haines except that I love when Jazz and dance music collide!! And so lovely to have the OG Marlena Shaw (California Soul!) on this too. That’s it, stay tuned…..
