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art of Robert Liu-Trujillo Tag

Photos from the CABSE conference

Check this out. Last year I was inviteed by my publisher Lee & Low Books to participate in an event called the California Association of Black School Educators conference, otherwise known as CABSE. These educators were from Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, so many cities. I pulled up at a nice hotel in Napa (North of Oakland) to meet Veronica Labarca who is the head of educational sales over at Lee & low. Above is a photo of us and , lord forgive me I dont remember the sisters name but she was super sweet.

There were various workshops for the adults who work with kids and here are some photos from the main room where the founder and other educators spoke.

Here are some photos os Veronica setting up the Lee & Low Table. And when I tell you thy’ve got a lot of multicultural books, they do. They probably have the most out of any publisher because they’ve been doing it for so long. It was a honor for my book to be included among some of the books I remember seeing when I first began in the biz and some of the new ones.

This is when me and Veronica did a presentation for the audience. She spoke about the power of multicultural books to not only advance the literacy levels of children of color but to reach kids of all stripes with stories many publishers wont put out. I got to talk about Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco and a bit about why I started working in kid lit.

This is special right here. This brother and several others came up and got a book after the presentation and thats always cool to meet new people interested in the stories. I’m a part of it, but its really about the story. Anyways, check out what the CABSE are doing! For folks who work in education, if you have a conference you feel I would fit in with, hit me up. Info@robdontstop.com.

Dig this? Check out these photos from my visit to the Texas Book Festival and you can watch actor Da’Vine Joy Randolph read my book here.

January 22, 2025
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Character 176 – Teen Blade REDO

I drew and painted this character in 2011 and redoing in 2025 is a challenging yet fun exercise to build momentum. Its a trip to see how much I’ve grown as an artist and I can see theres still so much to learn. But in the meantime, check out the comparison below.

This is the original version. In the late 90s film starring Wesley Snipes his partner and friend Whistler said he discovered Blade as a homeless teenager. Here I imagine him making a way into civilian life, high school maybe for the first time after getting some support. Whatcha think? Holler.

Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last character collage of figures from 2020-2024

January 17, 2025
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Character 175 – Butterfly boy REDO

I drew and painted this character in 2014 and while I have lots of shit to do, sometimes its fun to just revisit or in this case redo old work. Part of it is to see how much I’ve grown and pat myself on the back for a moment. Part of it is to think about where I want to go skills wise. Soooo…

Here’s a side by side comparison of this “Butterfly Boy”. 2014 version and a 2025 version. Thoughts? Improvements? Thoughts?

Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last character collage of figures from 2020-2024

January 9, 2025
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Video: Sketchbook Tour 5

Hey fam, its been a year since I posted one of these. I wish I could post them more often but sketchbooks take time. At least they do for me and even when I share them, I’m not showing you every single page. You gotta pull up to see that. Anyways, check it out. I’m just coming out of an uninspired period. I make art of course, but was I feeling it like I used to? Naw. So, I’m starting to feel it again and just enjoying myself.

There are 5 of these tour now. Been doing them for 3 years now and I’m not rushing. Just taking my time. Watch!

Dig this? Check out this page of Sketches (including personal and client work)

January 9, 2025
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Collab w/ Rights of Every Child

Rights of Every Child is a project by author and activist Danielle Davis. Its a project that seeks to highlight the human rights of children all over the world through artwork. Here’s a word from them:

The Rights of Every Child Initiative is here! It’s time. It’s time to spread the word. It’s time to speak out for children. It’s time to uphold their vital rights. We are inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document signed by all UN countries and ratified by all but one: the US. This document outlines fundamental rights around how we must protect children. In the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond we will share illustrations by talented, caring artists who are vocal about children’s rights that convey one of rights as only they can. The language is distilled and simplified for our purpose and so that the heart of it that’s close to the artist’s heart comes through. It’s time. Thank you for joining us as this movement grows, blooms into something we can only create and do together on behalf of children—every one.

Here’s what I wrote about the piece:

With this illustration I wanted to focus on the light, innocence, and power that can come from a child. If given the space to speak they can have some pretty powerful observations, ideas, and solutions. The problem is adults who have either forgotten what it means to truly listen and empathize with children; or the adults have lost their own humanity. I wanted the child to have warmth and light and I illustrated the adults holding the microphones more dull as they sometimes feel this way.

I chose this [right] because I do believe we don’t listen to young people enough.

I typically search for several reference pictures, collage them together using photoshop and then make a sketch. After the sketch is done, I redraw it on thicker paper and paint it using watercolor.

Find more information about the project here: Rights of Every Child

Dig this? Check out this piece i did for the People’s Kitchen Collective zine!

December 16, 2024
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Order from my shop by DEC 19th

Hey, the end of year is almost here. I’ve been making some new prints, stickers, etc since the beginning of the year and theres a wealth of books and art in my shop which has accumulated over the years. But, I’m going to take a break until the new year. So, if you wanna get a phystical item from my shop please order by DEC 19TH. Only digital downloads will be in the shop during the break.

SHOP LINK

Dig this? Check out my home studio tour

December 16, 2024
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Sketchbook pg 7

Been awhile since I uploaded a drawing from my sketchbook. I have been overdrive mode for the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair over the last few months so its nice to get back in there and draw. No specific outcome, just drawing. Most of these including photo reference Ive collected. RIP to my aunt Anita.

Dig this? Check out Sketchbook pg 6

My sketchbook tour at the beginning of 2024. I will def upload a new one for 2025.

December 9, 2024
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Short Story 33 – Sunday Afternoon

Sunday Afternoon- For Amina’s family, music is medicine. Almost every Sunday , the phones and ipads were put away to do one thing: Music. The rules were: do your chores your homework, play, read, or relax but throw on your favorite music and just chill out. And so Betty listened to an album from vinyl club, Maya practiced scales , and mama just relaxed to her favorite that week.

What is this? Short stories are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, to practice, 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

November 20, 2024
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Storytime Print Deal 2

NEW-This is a new set of prints I started this summer. I started a similar series years ago and I’m happy to pick it nack up. I made these prints to be hung in places where young people can see them. Libraries, offices, classrooms, homes, maybe even community centers. Wherever the place, its meant to be a tool to encourage reading for fun and to learn.

GET THE SET HERE

Dig this? Check out these reviews of my book Fresh Juice

November 1, 2024
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