I was getting a whole bunch of favorites and sales for a sticker in my shop and wondered, who is either talking about my work or featuring it? Now I know. Etsy has a Black Owned Etsy Group which features shops from many disciplines and categories and my work is in there. If you log into Etsy and scroll the main page for Black History Month my “PAUSE” sticker is there. Thank you Etsy for the feature! I appreciate it.
Dig this? Check out my sticker pack of affirmation stickers.
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
This isn’t new. But, because the cheeto is back I’m reminded that it we all must speak up when able. I’m not going to hit every issue, I’m human. But over the course of my life I’m going to try many times.
Why Fuck ICE? “Immigration and Customs Enforcement” is not being used in this current onslaught of raids affecting real people to protect America. They are wielded as a tool like cops and immigration laws to reinforce a harmful narrative, a story. That story says Black and Brown people are the cause of poor and working class White Americans’ problems. Why do they reinforce this BS? To rile up White folks and others so they are emboldened and to distract them from the fact that the billionaire class is robbing them and us blind. Jobs have been going over seas where they can pay them less w/less worker protection for decades. Its about keeping some pointing the finger at migrants instead of realizing who is screwing them over. Its also about putting fear and terror into the hearts of hard working everyday people of color in the US. And it is about good ole white supremacy.
When you need to debate with anyone (Blk, White, Latino, Asian, etc) who is applauding the current raids bring up some things. Talk about the 1% vs the 99%, race, class, what this country will pay for (War/Genocide) and what they pretend to have no money for (universal health care, housing). Seek independent and trusted news sources outside and within social media. Watch and think: Who’s narrative is being highlighted, and who is has a distorted voice or no voice at all?
If you’re an artist, make art. If youre not an artist, share art that informs, engages, etc. Lend your support to grassroots organizations and people working to protect migrants who have legal, civil, and human rights by donating time, money, or other means. Know this is a racist legacy of attacks going back centuries in the US of A. Latinos, Black folks, Aapi communities, Arab, and white allies have fought back and won victories before and they will again.
Dig this? Check out “Empire is Built on Genocide”.
This is the second time I’ve had the honor of having one of my books on the AALBC 100 best Black books list! Aalbc is one of the oldest websites supporting Black authors, bookstores, and a larger literary community. A stamp of approval from them is pretty awesome!
Ok, here you can see “Fresh Juice” included among a bunch of picture books, middle grade, and YA book written and /or illustrated by Black authors. I see a bunch of familair names there as well as some Bay Area friends such as Tiffany Golden, Maya Cameron Gordon, Angela Dalton, and Jessica Jones.
LINK to check out the other books on this list!
Dig this? Check out these reviews of the Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco
Yo, got to paint this little one right before the holidays last year and forgot to share it! I only do a few children’s portraits a year but when I do its always fun because these are original pieces of art that will be in someone’s home! Thats big! This little one is a mixed kid w/ a family from the Midwest and it was a joy to paint him. Shout out to the friends who commissioned this for their folks as a house warming gift. Here’s some process below.
Dig this? Check out the last collage of family portraits