Hey fam If you will be in the Chicago area this weekend, go check out the “Through the Portal” conference which is bringing together activists & artists 2 discuss how we fix this shit we’re in, meaning how we use artwork to build political power and make tangible changes in the US and the world.
There will be hella speakers, workshops, panels, art, and more! A crew of artists and organizers I’ve been working with called “Artists for Radical Imagination” will be in the house leading a workshop space.
BIG shout out to brother Chris Granillo, he invited me to share some artwork to be exhibited at the Pinole Public Library. I created this series of prints with the title READ as a way to add to the world of library art featuring children of color. Chris has been exhibiting his work in public spaces and its an honor to be there. If you’re in Pinole, go check it out.
I’m excited to be one of many artists tabling at this year’s Oakland Creates show. It will be my first time attending but I have been hearing about the show through its creator Avy Jetter for many years. Starting several years ago, this show gives artists, artisans, comics & zine makers a way to showcase their work with the people of Oakland. Most of the creators are Oakland based and I’m excited to be there. Check out the drawing I did for this year’s merch.
Oakland Creates Art, Comics and Zine Fest began as a vision about bringing folks together through art and giving them an opportunity to present their best selves, learn how to make a living while both interacting and serving their community with positive action. A vision to help empower folks to learn about themselves and develop themselves in multiple areas of the lives whether it’s education, healing, leadership or fulfilling their own art vision.
Oakland Creates prioritizes women of color, Queer, Disabled, Black artists and or any underrepresented artists whether they be new or emerging artists just starting out or artists that just have not been given proper promotion or marketing. Oakland Creates holds space and gives opportunities to amazing creative folk who have something awesome to say to the world and our local community. Oakland Creates celebrates storytelling and positive engagement. Let’s keep the conversation going. Because if we don’t tell our own stories, then who will?
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 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.
Ok, lately a lot of whats been on my mind is the study of film, particularly how to storyboard a good film sequence. Heres the board from top top bottom, left to right:
1. Gaidaa– Incredible young singer/songwriter from the Netherlands via Sudan
2. PBS YouTube series “Weathered” about climate change is scary and engaging
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 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.
Whew this took a minute to do. Props to all the YouTubers, its hella work to make these videos. I wanted to make a video with some painting process and some information about #BlackIsBeautiful an art challenge you’re welcome to join me in. Why do an art challenge? To get better, to practice. Why this one? There are so many Black folks, movements, places. And I mean African Americans, Afro Latinx, Black folks in Europe, Caribbean folks, etc.
1. Depict an unsung Black person, place of significance to Black people, a Black lead movement, or a Black group. We hear a lot about the same folks year after year. Let’s expand that history and future. The depictions can be from the past or present.
2. Make it during the month of February.
3. Make 1-28 pieces. One a day, once a week, or just one for the month. It’s up to you.
4. Use the hashtag #BlackIsBeautiful and feel free to add on the year such as #BlackIsBeautiful2021 , etc.
5. Choose your medium. This is a visual art challenge. Watercolor, oil, collage, ink, photography, digital or traditional media are acceptable!
6. When you’ve finished post it online for others to see.
7. Add constraints to make the challenge more specific. Only use 3 colors, limit how many you make, the size of the pieces, the theme or subject matter, etc. Get creative!
Bonus: Give us a little background on who or what you choose
Here are some example of pieces Ive created over the years:
Recently finished this portrait of a child named Marisol. In the past I have disclosed and illustrated something about the child’s ethnicity. But in the past year or so I have opted to focus on the kid and what they are interested in. Marisol is interested in the outdoors!! And their favorite color is green. So there you have it. If you would like to commission a portrait of a little one go here.
Want to see the collage of portraits I made for 2017-2020 ?
If you’re an artist who painted a mural or wall in downtown Oakland or the Fruitvale district and want to help facilitate yours and others being preserved please read this flyer and contact the “Black Cultural Zone” at info@blackculturalzone.org
There have been multiple groups of folks working behind the scene to help preserve these works of art but the BCZ is bringing folks together. Please share with friends if you know of someone who painted something as well.
Here is my latest inspiration board (a collage of inspiring people, places, books, films, artists, musicians, and movements). I’ve been posting these since 2009 and I try to post 2-3 of these per year as I revisit things from the past and find new inspiration. Feed your creativity.
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 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.
Happy to say that I will be speaking on a panel (1-2pm) this Sunday with Innosanto Nagara, Gregory Sale, and Sabiha Basrai. The panel will be moderated by Gigi Harney. We will be talking about arts and activism. BUT, thats not the only thing happening. You can hear bands play, get books and art, dance, see local artisans, live art, and hear some more great speakers on both Saturday and Sunday.
This is the Facebook event page and this is the ACLU 100 site which is part of a nationwide event celebrating the work of the ACLU and talking about mass incarceration, Immigrant and voting rights, activism, and more. Check out the other cities they will be posted up in
Not familiar with the American Civil Liberties Union? Go check out some of the videos they have up on Youtube regarding LGBTQ, Activist, Muslim, and Immigrants rights.
