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art of Robert Liu-Trujillo Tag

Book Cover – He Hit Me First

This is the cover for author, educator, and filmmaker Robert M. Alexander‘s book “He Hit Me First”.

I did the cover for the first book in this series entitled “She Hit Me First” and I was super excited to get the call to do this one. I illustrate and write picture books but I also love middle grade, especially doing covers! Here’s a bit of process art behind this one. You can purchase the book here.

Written by Dr. Robert Mossi Alexander, educator, counselor, and author of She Hit Me First, this heartfelt story teaches young readers—especially boys—about emotional intelligence, accountability, and the strength found in respecting elders and listening to ancestral wisdom. Perfect for classrooms, mentorship programs, and parents looking to spark important conversations around conflict resolution, masculinity, and healing.

At this stage I usually send my client a bunch of ideas for where people, places, or things could be. Robert chose one, I refined, through some grayscale on it to give an idea of who it would look, then I refined the sketch w/ the typography until he was good with it.

Next were some color directions. I’ve been a freelance illustrator for nearly 20 years and I enjoy adding different ideas for color; not the typical. Lately I’ve really been feeling the combination of purple, orange, and green so I was excited that he picked that one.

And here’s the final artwork for the cover! Wanna know about the story? Here’s the synopsis:

He Hit Me First is a powerful coming-of-age story for readers ages 8–13 that explores cycles of violence, emotional healing, and the power of mentorship. Set in East Oakland, the book follows Elijah, a young boy navigating school, family struggles, and peer pressure. After a schoolyard fight, Elijah is forced to confront the deeper pain behind his anger. With the help of his uncle, a former boxer, and guidance from community mentors, Elijah learns how to channel his energy into personal growth and self-control.

You can purchase the book here.

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March 4, 2026
in Ilustration
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School Visit – Lila Bringhurst (Fremont)

This is from a recent visit to a school in Fremont California called “Lila Bringhurst Elementary”. Its a chinese immersion school in the South Bay and I had a blast reading to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders while I was there.

I caught BART from “Fruitvale” station out to “Warm Springs” in the morning and walked to the school where a parent and PTA member Ina was waiting for me.

I got set up in their huge auditorium and then the students started to file in! The school is big so I did my presentation twice with the students split up into two groups. I read Fresh Juice!

As always I shared a story and a bit of the art that goes into making it. Here’s a video reel I made of the visit. BIG thanks to Ina who took a bunch of photos for me while I was presenting.

Dig this? Check out some photos from other school or library visits

March 4, 2026
in School or Library Visit
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Black is Beautiful 2026 – Paul Robeson

I painted this brother because although I’ve heard his name I didnt know who he was. A writer named Howard Bryant put out a book about him and Jackie Robinson and that made me want to look him up!

Paul was born in 1898 in Princeton , NJ. He was the son of a freed slave (his dad) and was raised by him. He grew up strong in the church, playing sports, and very smart. At 17 he got a scholarship to Rutgers University in New Jersey where he studied and played college football, becoming an All American award winning player twice. He went on to play ball and attend Columbia University where he earned a law degree! Facing racism he decided not to go into law but started working in theater eventually making his way onto Broadway for several plays and becoming an actor and singer in film starring in movies. It is said that he was one of the first Black superstar’s because of this and his ability to sing with his deep baritone voice.

But, he left Hollywood because there were not enough substantial , non stereotypical roles for him. He went to the UK and while working internationally learned about struggles in Europe, Africa, and Asia by working class folks and people who were marginalized. He related that back to the struggle of Black folks and other people of color in the US and began speaking out. Paul spoke in favor of workers rights, against segregation and lynching, he denounced facism and apartheid, etc. And because of this and his support for communist China, Russia, and anti colonialist African movements, they blacklisted him, harrassed him, and took away his fame, passport, and ability to work. Paul would come back to performing later in life but struggle with depression, suicide, financial troubles, and drugs. He died in Philadelphia in 1976.

But many remember him for the folk songs he sang, his words and actions of protest, and his expressions of great solidarity between Black people, Jewish folks, the Japanese during WW2, workers in Wales, Mexico, learning and speaking 12+ languages, starring in 13 films, recording 6 albums, and inspiring younger artists and activists.

Sources: Black Past, Toronto Int’l Film Fest, IMDB, Quboz, Wikipedia

Dig this? Check out the Combahee River Collective, Nelson Vails,

February 20, 2026
in Black is Beautiful, General
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Black Is Beautiful 2026 – Freedom House Ambulance

Its been three years since I did one of these for Black History Month! From 2016-2023 I drew and painted so many people, places, and groups from Black history that we dont hear enough about. And here’s one more:

The Freedom House Ambulance service was founded in 1967 in Pittsburg, PA by Phil Hallen (former ambulance driver) and Dr Peter Safar (Pioneering Dr @ Univ of Pittsburgh) in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, a predominantly Black neighborhood. EMT, Paramedics, and modern ambulances in the US owe a great deal to the Black men and women of Freedom House Ambulance. Around this time there were no ambulances for most working class folks in big cities, you called the police and they threw you in the back of a cop car or a police wagon. Being that there was rampant police brutality, profiling, harassment, and murder at the hands of police there was a contentious relationship when it came to emergency medical service. The majority of officers had no medical training and Black folks were at their wim when it came to being “sick enough” to warrant emergency medical services. As a result so many died from treatable things.

Enter Freedom House, a community based organization that got funding to not only create a hood based ambulance service, but to hire Black men; many of which were unemployed, did not graduate college, or had been in the system. Pioneering Dr Safar and several others gave them 12 months of medical training learning anatomy, physiology, resuscitation, etc. In addition to hundreds of hours in classroom settings , they spent time in the emergency and operating rooms, as well as the morgue before hitting the streets. And when they hit the streets they responded to six thousand calls in the first year or 16 emergency calls daily. Coming from the neighborhoods they were serving they understood when people were having a medical emergency relating to overdose, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, etc. In fact they were among the first paramedics to pioneer techniques using narcan for overdose, electric shock for heart attacks, intubating patients, CPR, and IV‘s. They were a mobile emergency hospital because they stabilized patients, saving thousands of lives.

Fast forward to the mid 70s, word got around that wealthier more white neighborhoods were not receiving the same level of expertise; the mayor and white establishment got jealous; and they intentionally pulled funding and support for the program. The city began randomly testing Freedom House medics, ruling out anyone who had been locked up, and using them to train white EMT’s who got better promotions. Eventually everyone was pushed out and only a select few were able to find employment with the city. But their work went on to help save lives nationwide and is still being used today.

Sources: WQED Pittsburg, Film: Heroes on Call, Wikipedia, and Sage Journals

Dig this? Check out my piece about these medical professionals: Dr Muriel Petioni, Dr Dorothy Brown, or Alice Augusta Ball

February 6, 2026
in Black is Beautiful, Educational Resources, General, Ilustration
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Short story 37 – Trading comics

Xóchi had a tough day. It was the weekend of the super show but she couldn’t do all the fun stuff she normally did like eat cotton candy, have a cyber fighter battle with her cousins on their Nintendo switches, or eat extra spicy nachos during the hopping contest. Her job today was to study, polish tio Ramon’s car and make sure nobody went to the wrong space from the club. Luckily Star and Miguel brought comics, with the newest Alien Quinceñera she still got to have some fun.

Context: I love reading but I didn’t always love it. Rather than illustrate that pain, I wanted to paint a picture of a candid moment of three ordinary kids sitting together reading comics for fun on a lowrider at a show. During the summer of 2025 me and my family went to our first lowrider show together as a family.

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.

Check out some of my past short stories worth checking out:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

February 5, 2026
in General, Ilustration
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Recharge – Vinyl Sticker

New sticker for the new year. RECHARGE means reset, renew, rest if possible, refill your cup.

LINK to purchase

What are these? These are vinyl stickers I make for my own creative expression and enjoyment. I sell them at fairs, festivals, and online. People get them for themselves, loved ones, friends, colleagues, students, and teams.

Dig this? Check out this post featuring me setting up my table to sell things like this HERE

January 28, 2026
in Merch
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Character 186 – Animator revisited

In 2012 or so I found this facebook page that highlighted the careers and achievements of African Americans in animation. I did not understand just how large of a role they had played and continue to play because it is not highlighted enough. So that is where the character came from, I was thinking of a futuristic animated character. This week I wanted to practice and decided to redraw this character so thats what I did. On the left is 2013 version, and on the right is the version I completed today. I like seein the artistic growth and wonder how I will learn how to improve it even more in the future.

Original post with the 2013 character

What’s this? This is from a long series of character drawings, paintings, and doodles to stay loose. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent picture book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” published by Lee & Low. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my last collage of characters from 2022-2024.

January 27, 2026
in Character Design
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Character 185 – Stand up 4 your neighbors

Rather than analysis of the current situation in Minneapolis re: ICE white narcissist terrorism (raids, bomb threats, kidnapping, hunting, murder) I made this as a reminder to myself and anyone else who needs to hear it. Look out for and stand up for your neighbor. They’re counting on regular people like me and you to look the other way, mumble something about it not being our problem, be cynical, fall apart, cower, or do nothing but if its one thing that has come out of all these cities facing the latest capitalistic white boy tantrums its that “the people (of all types)” can and will prevail when we work together. Love and resistance.

Dig this? Check out all this artwork you can download and share to give ICE the middle finger or to uplift our spirits.

January 18, 2026
in Character Design
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