Ok, so I was just going through old work and found this illustration. I created some artwork for Yoga and mindfulness teacher Jill Guerra who teaches in Oakland schools. She was making an award for her students and then wrote a book which I was so honored to do illustrations for. You can order it for your school or local library or you can buy it directly from me. Check out this pose below.
Its amazing how things lead to others!
Dig this? Check out this interview Jill Guerra did about her work and her practice.
My folks who’ve been down-u already know. For the folks who’ve never been involved in any resistance -paper, calls, emails, protest, direct action. I know, you’re in survival mode. Do what u can. For the folks who have some sort of privilege, get off your ass.
Whether you are old, young, white, Black, Brown, Queer, hetero, disabled, able bodied, red, blue, green, GET INVOLVED w/ organizing against the current gov’t attacks. Join an organization, support independent journalism, volunteer time, art, voice, $, resources, connections, whatever u can-folks have been sounding the alarm and if u haven’t done anything u gotta act-NOW!
In case you mssed it, this documentary lays out in film form much of what Michelle Alexander’s book did about slavery being legal in the US if you’re a prisoner, how the US govt encarcerates more people than any other nation, and how US corporations have profitted from the deliberately racist justice system. This came out in 2016. Watch the entire film here.
Why share this now? Because Trump in the first and current presidency went after Black, Latino, AAPI, and Arab people under the guise of getting rid of illegal immigrants, feeding the lie that people of color are stealing opportunities from White folks, and that these folks are taking money from the USA. On the contrary, immigrants to this country pay taxes, are seeking a better opportunity for their families, and the US will not admit their role in the destablization of dozens of countries in Latin America, Africa, the carribean, Asia, and the middle east. How does this relate to the 13th? Theyre filling prisons in El Salvador with humans who’ve done nothing wrong; students, activists, parents, regular peeople, Latinos, etc. Peep some media about how the president of El Salvador is contributing to this because I’m sure there’s money being made here.
Check out this report from El Salvador by Latino USA correspondants.
This month I had the great pleasure of traveling to Seattle Washington to visit Sacajawea Elementary in North Seattle. I’m super grateful for the invitation and was happy to read Fresh Juice and to talk about who I am and what I do.
Thanks to Robin and the whole PTA crew who do a lot of work to fundraise, organize, call, text, and bring parents and kids to events like this. Above you can see the flyer for the event which was not just about me, but bringing in old books for a bookshop, connecting with each other, and inviting lots of different types of people.
So, when I get to read to kids and family I share a couple of things to try and engage folks so its not just me talking but a back and forth.
Picture Book Reading
Q & A about writing and drawing
Fruits, veggies, and community
Different types of family structures
Character design
Art Books
History
School and Library Visits: I’ve been visiting students as a storyteller since 2012 yall. I started as an illustrator first and then I became an author. I visit many schools every single year. I’ve been all over the Bay Area and Ive read to students in California, Texas, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Ohio. At this point I’ve visited over 100 libraries and schools. Recently I put out the call to visit more cities in Northern and Central California. If you’d like to invite me to visit your school or library in the Bay or outside of it, I’m open to travel! Shoot me an email at info@robdontstop.com
Dig this? Check out some photos from my visits to Alvarado Elementary in Union City, CA
I was informed about this organization doing some great work to inform everyday folks about the work that educators, teachers, and advocates for literacy do to bring fresh and diverse stories to class rooms. They also provide resources for educators. On their Youtube you can see a varety of different writers sharing their expertise or experiences and they play a key role in helping parents and community members understand what real life teachers are and are not doing in the classroom.
Hey, the Bay Area Book Festival is upon us and I am happy to be participating as a panelist on May 31st and June 1st. The above panel on Day 2 of the fair will be for all those folks in the Bay who are thinking of self publishing or getting into the children’s book industry and want to hear about the strategies we emplored to get in. Panelists Zetta Elliott, Maya Gonzales, Matthew Smith, myself, and moderator Laura Atkins have a combined 80+ years worth of experience working in this field. Come thru!
This is a great short film about the lives of 3 descendants of the Black Panther Party in Oakland, New York, and Chicago. These are the grown kids of some heavy hitters and have some very vulnerable and powerful words to share about their upbringing. With chapters all across the United States and many internationally, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense influenced activism all over the world and still scares the powers that be now. But that came at great sacrifice and as a child of movement parents, I know this one well. I’m happy to see this doc. Please watch it and share it.
Nzingha didn’t like Richie when school started in September. In fact, they argued over pencils, erasers, foursquare, and school march slogans all winter. But, after he’d shared some of his lunch with her she gave him a slice of fruit, maybe two. Mr Newton asked them to call a truce so they did and. Nzingha started to pick Richie for her team when she was captain of the basketball team. He invited her to play soccer afterschool and in April they both decided to dress up like they’re grandparents for 70’s day and well….Richie made her smile on Friday. They’ve been best friends ever since.
This is a short story about two enemies turned best friends, the clothes they wear represent two historic youth lead activists groups. The Black Panther Party for Self Defense and The Brown Berets.
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 Frescopublished by Lee & Low Books.
Fam, its been a minute since I shared a children’s portrait and this is number 80! This is a portrait of a young boy named Dream. His mom and family have been supporters of my creative work for over a decade from books to portraits. I painted her oldest child ZULU back in 2017! Dream is his younger bro 🙂
Check out this video timelapse of me painting him as well as some process shots below.
I haven’t done many of these time lapse videos but I’ve been getting more and more comfortable using my phone to document my work and doing a low lift like this is a step forward. I import short videos into I-Movie and cut them together in a way that was but it is no longer challenging. Link to watch.
This is a book I illustrated several years ago and this is a read aloud of the story “Alejandria Fights Back” in English. Enjoy. Please request this book at your local library or independent bookstore.
