mobile logo

General

Sticker Art for Convergence

Hey these are some cool new stickers I made for an organization called Convergence. They’re a digital and print magazine who makes articles, videos, podcasts, and more around organizing and political issues. Here’s their official description:

“Convergence is a magazine for radical insights. We produce articles, videos, and podcasts to sharpen our collective practice, lift up stories about organizing, and engage in strategic debate — all with the goal of winning multi-racial democracy and a radically democratic economy.”

I did a whole bunch of different sketches and ideas with phrases that Convergence wanted to see and these are the phrases they wanted to see.

From there I did a bunch of color ideas using a limited color palette and I was really happy they let me run with that.

These are the final color pieces and….

And this is what the final stickers looked like. I really loved working on this with Convergence and love how they came out. I have been making stickers and merch for myself for awhile now and this is only the second time Ive been hired to do it for someone else which was fun!! I’m not sure if you can buy these individually but I know the org was using them as part of one of their fundraising efforts. Go to Convergence.com to find out more about their work. (I did not design The Convergence logo).

Dig this? Check out some merch I created for the the Self Evident Podcast

September 22, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

School Library Journal- Art of Rob

Hey, its not everyday you get an art book featured in “School Library Journal”, but that’s what happened on my birthday no less. Sujei Lugo , a librarian, Pura Belpre committee member, activist, and avid book blogger for places like Latinx In Kid and School Library Journal just reviewed Art of Rob!! If you didn’t catch the “Art of Rob” kickstarter, this is a 130 page book of my sketches, drawings, paintings, characters, and more. I made it for anyone who loves art books, but especially for young aspiring artists:)

Check out the other kids books on the list, including my good friend Innosanto Nagara’s “A is for Activist”. LINK

Dig this? Peep the first 7 bookstores to carry Art of Rob!

September 13, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

TYS Panel w/ Letterform Archive

Ey, myself, Nisha Sethi, and Miguel Bounce Perez will be speaking about Graff, lettering, and answering questions about it with the Letterform Archive Thursday Septermber 7th from 12-1:30pm. Tune in online, its FREE.

Link to register

This talk is connected to a much larger show at the Letterform Archive called “Subscription to Mischief” about the culture of Graffiti zines. The show is up until October 5th!

Dig this? Here’s a video from a show we did in 2015 called “Of Love & Riots 2”

September 7, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Fresh Juice/Jugo Fresco Book Reviews!

Reviews are coming in slowly but surely of my latest picture book “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” published by Lee & Low Books. Here’s what I’ve got so far…

LINK to review of the Spanish version w/ 22 other bilingual books 🙂
LINK to the review by Booklist! You might need an account to see the full review :/
LINK to the review by Kirkus

That’s it fam, if you’ve read the book please review it on GoodReads, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon. These help inform parents, teachers, librarians, etc.

Dig this? Check out the book trailer for the first book I wrote and illustrated, Furqan’s First Flat Top

August 22, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Sketchbook pg 5

Here is the lastest and greatest from the sketchbook. I’m not sure if folks see this as finished, detailed, amateur, or what but to me its loose and fun. And thats what the sketchbook is for!! Who knows if i’ll ever show this sketchbook. But…….

Some process

Dig this? Check out sketchbook page 4 and sketchbook pg 1

August 19, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

READ Print 7 – Welder Girl

NEW Print! You can purchase a print HERE

Just finished painting this. Normally I can knock these out in a day, but my little one started school this week with minimum days so it got done in increments. This is the 7th print like this I’ve done. It’s a series with the word “READ” on them. The first 4 each had a different young person on them holding a book (2020). This new set of four features young people in the places of joy, passion, or dreaming.

This one: An illustration of a young girl with some welding equipment. I’ve always liked the re-emergence of a DIY, maker movement who not only repaired or customized things, but also built new things. I imagine this young lady to be a welder who works on “Go Karts”. Hence the track behind her. Feeling it? I am! I also know there are books out there for kids about welding, wood work, 3d printing, and making stuff. Not sure if my idea comes across but I like it.

Again, you can purchase a print HERE

Dig this? Check out the first set of four READ prints

August 11, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Stuff I’ve Been Listening To – Synths

Loose Ends (UK) – Hanging on a string 1984
Always loved Loose Ends and this classic track from them.

Welcome welcome. Here is a new post with some of my favorite synths, mostly across soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock. I didn’t always know that I loved synths, I just like good music. But after hearing some chatter about synths in general and some of the machines created to make the sounds, I thought I’d share some of my favorites, not the best synths ever. This is totally subjective. Enjoy.
Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)
This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.
We Are King (Minneapolis/LA) – The Greatest (2015)
Agggh, one of the illest soul groups of recent to write and produce w/ synths!!
Squarepusher (UK) – Plaistow Flex Out (2001)
Was turned on to Squarepusher by my homie and drummer Valentino 
Pink Floyd (UK) – On the Run (1973)
Always loved this Pink Floyd album! 
Kool & The Gang (Jersey City) – Summer Madness (1974)
Classic joint from a classic jazz, rock, soul band.

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.

Satoshi & Makoto (Japan) – Crepuscule Leger (2017)
New! Don’t know much about these cats, but I dig it.
Jneiro Jarel (Philadelphia) – Soul Starr (2005)
Discovered Jeniro aka Dr Who Dat? at the record store and became an instant fan. 
Björk (Iceland) – Hyperballad (1995)
Heard Bjork through one of my best friends in the 90s and was blown away
Zion I w/ Mikos da Gawd (Oakland) – Saving Souls (2016)
RIP Zumbi, this is one of countless synth flavored Zion I songs


Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: More Jazz
Stuff I’ve been listening to 22: Instrumentals
Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: Raps
Stuff I’ve been listening to 17: Soul
Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists
Sexual Harassment (Midwest US) – I need a freak (1983)
House party track tried and true. First heard it as a child.
Chaka Khan (Chicago) – What Cha Gonna do for Me? (1981)
Radio classic on kiss fm in the Bay
Marcos Valle (Brazil) – Naō Tem Nada Naō (1973)
Found this cut via Madlib!
Kraftwerk (Germany) – Numbers (1981)
These cats are German, but this is straight up electro classic hip hop material. 

Ok, one last one fam….
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (Austin) – Kids (2016)

Discovered the guys through the Stranger Things soundtrack which was both old and new, simple, yet amazing! Reminds me of 80s movies and that was the point! Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you’re not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations……
August 6, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Inspiration board 43

Hey fam, I hope you’re well. It has been a rough one for me lately but trying to hold on to it. Check out some of these things that have been dope to me recently. Keep going.

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

1. Major Taylor Iron Riders -video by The Pro’s Closet (Cycling/Fitness)

2. Odessa– Middle grade graphic novel by Jonathan Hill (book)

3. Giant Robot– Doc about an AAPI magazine/store (film)

4. Monica Martin– Vocalist, songwriter from the midwest (music)

5. El Michel’s Affair x Black Thought– I’m still somehow (music)

6. 1000% Me– Doc about being mixed by W. Kamau Bell (film)

7. Art of Cam Kendell from Fart Quest (art)

8. Hidari– Stop motion animated samurai (stop mo animation)

9. The Nakba– Educational video about the Nakba in Palestine (history)

10. Chang Can Dunk– Narrative film about personal goals (film)

11. Cymone Wilder– is an incredible lettering artist (lettering)

12. This Was Our Pact– All ages graphic novel by Ryan Andrews (book)

13.  Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur– Animated show based on comic (tv)

14. Endea Owens – Where the Nubians Grow (music)

15. Turning Red– Animated film by Pixar (animation)

16. The Last of Us– Post apocalyptic tv show based on video game (tv)

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more

Inspiration board 42

Inspiration board 41

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.

August 2, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Children’s Portrait 75 – Stella

Here’s a new portrait of Stella, commissioned by her Mama Sarah. And they have a cool tradition where the young ladies in her family take a photo with the exact same dress on when they get to be 5 or 6 years old. This is her sister’s portrait Eva.

What is this? Wow, we’re at number 75! I’ve been doing these portraits for about 10 years. Not rushing, taking my time, etc. But through family, friends, and community I have been able to keep making these gifts. I paint these by hand, each one unique from photo reference provided by parents, caregivers, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc. If you’d like to commission a portrait of a kid or a family go here. 

Dig this? Check out this collage of children’s portraits.

August 2, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More

Chinese pioneers in Reggae, Ska, and Rock Steady

Wow, the more you know. I LOVED listening to this video and it just goes to show there is so many stories yet to be told. I did not know that VP Records stood for Vincent and Patricia-two Jamaicans who were ethnically Asian and mixed! Wow. This video talks about several Chinese pioneers in Jamaican music and who consider themselves “Jamaican”, that’s it.

Check out this video that expands on Patricia Chin, co founder of VP Records who are known world wide for distributing reggae and dancehall music.

Dig this? Check out this doc about Giant Robot Magazine!

August 2, 2023
in General
0
0
Read More
Load More