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Reading @ El Cerrito Public Library

I didn’t mean to get emotional, it just happened. Ok so recently the wonderful people over at the El Cerrito Public Library invited me to do a visiting author presentation for staff and patrons. It is only the second time I’d been back at this libary since I was a child.

Lemme back up a bit. I was born and raised in Oakland primarily, but I’ve lived in cities all over the east bay and had family and grand parents in San Francisco. I went to a little school called Fairmont in El Cerrito and the public library was attached to it. I never went back to the school or the library since I was a kid because it was not the most welcoming space for me as a child. When my friend and local poet Dani Gabriel released her book “Sam!” that was the first time I’d been back in the building in over 25 years.

When I gave my presentation about a career in the arts, working in murals and making art for social justice movements, picture books, art Books and more I broke down a bit because of all the memories of being mistreated at my elementary school and the library.

BUT, a lot has changed and I’m happy to report that this library is a welcoming and loving space. Shout out to Therese Dix, Heidi Goldstein and all the staff I met there recently. The library has books that are diverse in ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and so much more. The vibe and array of colors sing when you walk in now and that makes me really happy for the up coming generation of children so they can not only see themselves and feel welcome, but find a joy in reading. VISIT THIS LIBRARY.

Photo credit: Tom Rogers, El Cerrito Public Library, and me

Also, I took a short trip to visit my friend Robin Yee Wilson at the Educators Book Depot in Richmond. This is a place where teachers can come and get free kids books for their classroom libraries and Robin slowly trying to get the word out to Contra Costa teachers that such a recource exists. Especially for those teachers who are working with tiny or non existent budgets. VISIT THEM HERE.

Dig this? Check out these photos from my recent visit to Berkeley Public Library

July 26, 2024
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Inspiration board 45

I’m still not out of a funk of creativity and a dirth of inspiration but we keep going right? Here are some things I can share with you that caught my eye, ear, or heart. Some I’m sure you already know. Some I’d be happy to introduce you to.

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

  1. Devon Blow (Art)– Dev has been pumping out some critical and necessary art about genocide, war, social justice issues, and finding joy. Follow her here.
  2. Self (Film) – This is an incredible stop motion/ cg animated short film by Searit Huluf about self love
  3. Alexandra Gater (Interior design)– This is an interior decorator w/ a niche of helping those in small apartments make better use of their space with style.
  4. Calida Rawles (Art)– Found Calida through Amy Sherald. Shes an incredible photorealistic painter who depicts Black folks relationships to water
  5. BUSD (Community)- I attended several Berkeley School Board meetings re: Palestine, teachers who’ve been fired, trans and queer student rights, and ethnic studies
  6. Story Sun Birds (Kid Lit/ activism)- This is a group of folks who work in kid lit who stood for a ceasfire in Palestine and who now are carving a path for an alternative kid lit space
  7. Fights (Graphic Novel)– This is a great book by Joel Christian Gill who is a cartoonist and professor based in Virginia
  8. Farah Audhali (Music) – Farah is a talented singer songwriter from the uk and i love this collab with Blue Lab Beats!
  9. Butterly in the Sky (Film) – This is a great doc about the history of Reading Rainbow featuring interviews from the entire team behind it.
  10. Belly (Music) – 96 Miles from Bethelhem is a dope EP by MC/Singer Belly in response to the genocide in Palestine
  11. Vittoria Macioci (Art) – Love the illustrations of this Italian illustrator and comics artist
  12. Microcosm (Podcast) – Been knowing about Microcosm for years but just started listening to their podcast about indy publishing and it is great!
  13. James Shields (Art)-James’ watermelon couch is an incredible work of sociology, US history, narrative, and immersive art.
  14. Ruha Benjamin (Speech)– I know of Ruha’s name but this speech she gave at an HBCU grad ceremony caught fire because it is so true!
  15. Mackelmore (Music)– Man, was not expecting this bombshell of a song from Macklemore titled Hinds Hall, but I was so happy to hear his stance!
  16. ABC’s of Lowriding (Book) – This kids book by Ricardo Cortez is a testament to lowriding culture and helps introduce it to a new generation

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

Inspiration board 44

Inspiration board 43

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.

July 25, 2024
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Sonya Massey should be ALIVE

I dont have any incredible bites of wisdom. I just want to say that Sonya Massey should be alive. I send love to her children and her family. Rest in Peace. Justice for Sonya.

I hope people understand why activists, artists, and organizers have called for the defunding of police. Not more resources, money, and support. As a historic institution they have proven time after time that they are not only racist, but are not here to protect all people. They are here to protect some people and to carry out the orders of the ruling class. Our communities would be better served if the billions spent on policing were placed into universal health care, affordable housing, well funded public (not private) education, and more worker control and ownership of their jobs and the wealth they create.

Dig this? Check out this interview w/ Cerise Castle who reports on Police/ Sherrif Dept Gangs in LA County. Here is a post of older artwork I’ve made about Police Brutality. Listen to this joint by 80s Babies (Tall Black Guy and Dee Jackson).

July 24, 2024
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Free the Congo

Ok here’s the short version of my description:

A quick drawing/painting of a delivery truck with graffiti on it saying “Free the Congo” and “Down with Colonialism”. I painted this in solidarity with the people of the Congo in central Africa who are suffering from the direct effects of colonialism. The news will say its about corrupt leaders, I say look into the history of Belgium and France, their past and current colonial ties. Look into the countless companies in Europe and the US who profit from its vast mineral wealth (Coltan, Cobalt, etc). Who benefits from the millions who have been killed and displaced there? How is this related to other countries in Africa, Colombia, Palestine, the Philippines, India? The obscenely wealthy 1 % dont get there through “hard work”. They get there by using murder, rape, theft, sabotage, assasination, bribery, misinformation, and misdirection. To stand in solidarity with the Congo, please follow the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa and independent news outlets to hear more about what is happening there and what activists there are calling on us to do. Comment w/ a journalist, book, podcast, artist, or news outlet that is accurately reporting about Congo.

Sources: Marc Lamont Hill, Kambale Musavuli, Double Down News, Break Through News, Democracy Now

Dig this? Check out this direct action against Black Rock who funds genocide in Palestine.

July 23, 2024
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Picture Book Workshop @ CCA

Hey this past week I had a chance to do a workshop introduction to picture books at CCA (California College of the Arts) for a group of MFA Comics students. I don’t know if they enjoyed it but I had hella fun. I brought a gang of picture books in English, Spanish, different mediums, newer ones, older ones, and different types of people. I talked about my most recent book “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” and many others by some of my favorite authors and illustrators. Photos by Thi Bui.

In this workshop we discussed:

  • Establishing a character design
  • Brainstorming and writing a story tagline
  • Synopsis of story
  • Storyboarding/ Thumbnailing a book
  • Rough sketches
  • Picture book layout, mechanics
  • Breaking into the industry
  • Building community

I have been consulting with individuals and organizations for years about how to make picture books and after doing this workshop I realized how much I really enjoyed talking about what it takes to make one live and in person. If you’re interested in getting some basic info from me about it, check out this PDF I made for newbies.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation or invite me to speak at your college please email me at info@robdontstop.com

BIG shout out to my homie and big sis Thi Bui (The Best We Could Do) who is a phenomenal cartoonist, illustrator, and professor. Big shout out to the homie Justin Hall, another fabulous cartoonist and professor who invited me to lead a workshop alongside some greats such as Ajuan Mance, Fred Noland, and Tyler Cohen.

Dig this? Check out the presentation I did for Modesto Jr College and my visit to the Austin Book Festival

July 7, 2024
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#KidLitPostcard

Hey earlier last month I made this postcard for the #KidLitPostcard challenge. The gig is, you share an image of your work with information for folks who see it to contact you and or your agent. This is a spread from my latest book “Fresh Juice”.

Dig this? Check out my last #ArtVsArtist 2023

July 4, 2024
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West Coast Craft Fair June 8-9 San Francisco

Folks in the city, I will be at this year’s Summer West Coast Craft Fair June 8th-9th from 10am to 6pm. If you’re in San Francisco or nearby come see me. I’ll be at booth # G17. At this event-some incredible jewelry, plants, clothing, home decor, art, and food. This event is usually packed so I’d advise getting there early or on the later side.

FOR MORE INFO GO HERE

Here’s a video if you’d like to get a glimpse at what its like to visit

Dig this? Check out this photo of me working at the Craneway Craft Fair

June 6, 2024
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Brother Ali/ Trauma from Police

Trauma warning:
Experienced this type of event as a child with my mother. We were going about our day, but we were pulled over and mistaken for two Black men who robbed (insert something). They never drew their weapons, but I never had the same sense of “safety” coming from officers ever again. When my mother looked at me and encouraged me not to move and obey instructions I could feel the fear in her voice.

This is how I remembered it but didn’t relive the trauma until last year while giving a presentation about my arts career, literacy, why I make what I make, etc. Did not mean to nearly lose it while describing some photos but I damn near did. I took a moment, excused myself , and kept going. I was 8 or 9 when the incident happened.

Not sure why it came up but this song reminded me of it today.
Trauma is wild, so is the institution of policing in a country that incarcerates more of its population that any other on the planet.

Dig this? Listen to this recounting of police interaction by Boots Riley

June 4, 2024
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SFSU Magazine features “Fresh Juice”

Shout out to San Francisco State University magazine for featuring my work. Thats more than I can say for any of the other schools I went to. BIG shout out to the marketing/promo team at Lee & Low for all of their hard work promoting the book!

To see all the other literary works by SFSU alumni GO HERE.

Dig this? Check out when “Fresh juice/ Jugo Fresco” was featured by Bank Street College

May 30, 2024
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