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Storytime Friends

Hey yall, I’m writing to you about Storytime Friends, a nonprofit I serve as a member of their Advisory
Council. Check out this message from the founders and dig in….and DONATE HERE

Storytime Friends has delivered a lively read-aloud video series, free
picture books, and fun, educational activities on a monthly basis to children at UCSF Benioff
Children’s Hospital in Oakland for 2 years now. They secured a fiscal sponsorship with the
Social Good Fund, so that we can offer tax-deduction benefits to our donors. And they’ve
built relationships with book publishers, a large community of authors & illustrators, local
Bay Area bookstores, and with Children’s Fairyland, and more along the way. 
 
We’ve accomplished all of this on a 100% volunteer basis. We’ve been pouring our hearts into
this, and now we need financial support to keep going and growing. 
 
My ask is this: if you can support Storytime Friends with a donation, I would be grateful.
 
Theyre fundraising to get more books into the hands of Kids in 2025. We hope to raise $30,000 by December 31, 2024. 
 
Thank you for considering this worthwhile project.

DONATE HERE

October 8, 2024
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Inspiration Board 44

Hey fam, I hope you’re well. Whew with life this past year and moving, war, family health, inspiration has gone down the tube. I mean, I still read, listen, watch, feel, and experience but I have felt exhausted and uninspired to keep it real. I still create because I’ve been doing this for a long ass time, but sometimes it needs to be said that you don’t feel it. Anyway, for the past 6 months or so these are some things that fed or made me feeeeeeel.

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

  1. The Purpose of Power – book by Alicia Garza. Reallly great read and reminder that the fight is long ahead (Organizing/Activism)

2. Texas Book Festival – 1st time visiting this historic book fest in Austin,TX. Shout out to Lee & Low, Reading Rockets, and the Fest (event)

3. The Spirit of the Palestinian People! – With over 75 years of colonialization they still stand and it is both painful and inspiring to have to witness time and time again. Thank you to the everyday people and the Palestinian organizers! (Resistance)

4. Dr. Marc Lamont Hill– Marc has been doing a lot of work to question society from multiple viewpoints and I’m thankful (Journalism)

5. Bisan Wizard– I’m in awe of this young journalist who has been sharing news in Arabic and English, risking her life to show us what US, European, and Israeli wont; what is happening is genocide (Journalist)

6. Jewish Voice for Peace– BIG shout out to my Jewish fam in the US acting up and showing out to show solidarity and prove that questioning Zionism does NOT equal antisemitism. They have lifted the veil for many Jews, Christians, Muslims, and atheists alike. (activists)

7. Olivia Dean – Love this singer songwriters music. Check her out! (music)

8. LaRussell and Tietta – This duo’s work to put their name, art, and biz savvy has been inspiring to watch. From Vallejo Ca (Business/Art)

9. Maurice Carney – I loved learning about what is happening in the Congo from Maurice of “Friends of the Congo” (Activism)

10. Frizzy – Graphic novel about hair, self acceptance and mentorship (Graphic Novel)

11. Sara Trellez– There’s something life giving and undescribable about this dance routine Sara gives. I could see and recognize the years of work, talent, research, and history she put into this (Dance)

12. Lowkey – This MC from the UK came to me through my boy Pele. I’m so happy I found Lowkey because his skills and wit inspired me. So smart and so relentless! (Hip Hop)

13.  Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? – Shout out to Angela Dalton who showed me this book. Contrary to what adults may think, these are exactly the kinds of questions I think kids can and should grapple with. Policing has got to go (Kid Lit)

14. Motaz Azaiza– Brother Motaz is an incredibly talented and brave photographer who once again is showing us in English and Arabic what the regime of Israel is doing to the people of Palestine. Genocide. (Photography)

15. Amanda Seales– I’ve watched Amanda go through being an MC, a singer, a poet, actor, and now social media activist who has challenged and critiqued not only Israel but many other things. And she’s not just talking, listen-you’ll see in addition to living shes also studied! (Social Media)

16. Artie and the Wolk Moon– Great GN about a young Black girl who learns she is part werewolf!! Perfect for older elementary students and middle grade readers (Graphic Novel)

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

Inspiration board 43

Inspiration board 42

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.

January 3, 2024
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Inspiration board 42

Yall, it gives me so much pleasure to share some of the things I’m seeing, hearing, feeling, reading, learning from, and getting inspired by. PLEASE check out some of these people, things, etc and get inspired!!! Here are they are left to right, top to bottom.

1. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh (graphic novel) Witches, Queer identity, etc

2. Eve Ewing (Author/Educator) writes about super heroes, school closures, and science

3. Vamos! by Raul the Third (Picture book) Bilingual literacy, Latinx, kids lit

4. A Tradition of Violence by Cerise Castle (podcast) LA Sheriff gangs, journalism, police brutality

5. Sebastian Mikael’s new EP Phileo (Soul Music) Soul, hip hop

6. Pinocchio by Guillermo Del Toro (Animated film) stop motion,

7. Alvin Irby founder of Barbershop Books (Interview) activism, literacy, black boys

8. I am the Subway by Kim Hyo Eun (Picture book) train, humanity, working class

9. Nala Sinephro’s album Space 1.8 (Jazz music) jazz, experimental jazz, harp

10. Abel Cruz’s fog nets (Water) BBC, World hacks, water crisis, fog nets, peru

11. Sibylline Meynet (Artist) illustration, gouache, artist

12. Afu Chan’s Outer Darkness (Artist) comics, illustration

13. Ovarian Psycos (Documentary) cycling, women’s rights, trauma, women

14. Noni Sessions (Activist) East Bay Permanent Real Estate Coop, coop’s, land, activism

15. Coop Conversations (Podcast) Cooperative housing, podcasts, coop’s, alternative housing

16. Teach the Children the Truth by Marisa Villegas (Podcast) Ethnic studies, Raza Studies, education

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 
 
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.

You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here

January 5, 2023
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Inspiration board 41

Ok, here’s some recently inspiring stuff. Left to right, top to bottom. I make this as much to share with you as I make as a reminder to myself:
1. The illustration of Maike Plenzke
2. Taking Children by Laura Briggs-non fiction book
3. Esperanza Spalding- Songrights Apothecary and her recent albums
4. Jerome Masi – Artist/Illustrator
5. Brown Ambition Podcast-Financial literacy
6. The Cot in the Living Room– Picture bk about community/mutual aid
7. Light & Magic- ILM documentary series (special FX)
8. Art of Ami Thompson
9.Wendell & Wild-upcoming stop motion film (Peele/ Selick)
10. Art of Derek Laufman
11. New Kid- Graphic novel by Jerry Craft
12. Stuart NG Bookstore– specializes in “Art books”
13. Art of Leo Espinosa-illustration
15. Squid Game TV Series
16. Art of Chris Sickels/Red Nose Studios
Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

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.
You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here
August 2, 2022
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Inspiration board 38

 


Peace fam, 

hope you’re all hanging in there ok. If you’re in a rut, or can’t find creative inspiration, I hope this will help. 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. 

All people, items in the board top to bottom, left to right:

1. Action film: Old Guard w/ Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne 2. Music: The Workout 2 by Stic Man (Dead Prez) 3. Art: Illustration by Olivia Fields (Tncts) 4. Music: Soul artist Sebastian Mikael 5. Music: MC Gavlyn 6. Books: Umber magazine POC focused 7. Art: Marcel Moshki character designs 8. Music: Untitled (Rise) album by Sault 9. Music: MC Nayana IZ 10. Art: Plein Air ptg by Angela Sung 11. Books: The Will to Change by Bell Hooks 12. Film: Inner Workings by Leo Matsuda 13. Books: Waxpoetics Magazine Music focused 14. Activism: APTP-Anti Police Terror Project (support for people in crisis vs police) 15. Radio: Right Nowish podcast by Pendarvis Harshaw 16. Art: Illustration by Radhia Rahman


Please check out and support the folks mentioned in them. Hopefully some of them will inspire you too. Scroll down below to see the previous board. Feel free to share.

Inspiration board 37 (Jan 2021)

Inspiration board 36 (Aug 2020)


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.

You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here
May 13, 2021
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Inspiration board 35

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.
From left to right, top to bottom: 
1. Berna Anat-financial analysis/hype woman 2. Barbara Dziadosz-Illustrator 3. Diary of a Future President-Disney TV show 4. Risograph art (Sara Hagstrom) 5. Ana Tijoux– Cacerolazo 6. Vel The Wonder– Ice Cream 7. Metal & Enamel Pins! 8. Kaytranada -Bubba LP 9. Cey Adams-OG Graf writer/designer 10. Film Courage-Storytelling 11. Seba Kaapstad– Afro German band 12. 45 record covers 13. Moms 4 Housing – Oakland 14. Safia Elhillo – Sudanese American Poet 15. The Joy of Swimming by Lisa Congdon- Art book 16. Paul Davey/Mattahan-Illustrator
Thats it, click on some of the links embedded above and check these things out. And as always please check out the previous board:
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.


You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here

April 1, 2020
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Social Media vs New Books

At the beginning of last year I decided to take a bit more time away from social media and I’m amazed to say I’ve been able to stick to it. I have one day on social media and one day off. So if I started on Monday, my Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of that week would be days with no social media at all. And for the days when I was on, I tried to keep the hours of 10am-4pm off limits. Friday-Sunday were days when I would allow myself to check it as many times as I wanted.

But I found that doing this helped my mental health A LOT. And it made me focus more on in real life stuff like making more art and reading. I have read political books before and I tried to read a few history wise this year. But mostly I dug deep into YA or young adult novels. I always read a ton of kids books because I want to learn how to tell stories better. Here are some of my favorites that I read this year. If you’re looking fr more book recommendations, holler at me or check out Bens IG page “Ben Be Reading” and Book Riot who makes read a likes. I love Octavia Butler, so their read a like related to her was dope. I’m still making my way through.

December 20, 2019
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Inspiration board 31

Hey sometimes its podcasts, sometimes its a person i met. This is my 3-4 times per year collage of inspiring things and people. Some you’ll recognize right off the bat. Some, I hope will be new to you. These things keep me inspired to keep creating.
From top to bottom, left to right: 1. Thee Lakesiders-oldies LA Soul group, 2.The Etherington Brothers-great storytellers 3. Klassy-LA Rapper/Mama 4. Andrea Smith-illustrator w/ amazing vendor set up 5. SF Etsy Holiday Emporium-inspiring to experience indy power 6. San Nukas-A portrait of Moses Powell 7. Quackers-Liz Wong Picture book 8. Spider Verse-dope film 9. My daughter’s arrival this year has been amazing and awe inspiring 10. Teymori-house producer/musician 11. Stephanie Bueno-Lowrider/Photographer 12. Diedra & Laney-great film 13. Captain Fantastic-incredible film 14. Greywater systems for homes 15. Art of James Turell 16. We Out Here- British Jazz LP
There are so many more, but I’ll have to save them til the next time. In the meantime, keep creating and check out some of these creative folks/endeavors. To see previous boards follow the tag on this blog: inspiring stuff. For example, here is board 30 and 29

You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here
January 12, 2019
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Inspiration board 22

From left to right, top to bottom: 1. Hilda! I love this series of graphic novels (all ages) from Luke Pearson. 2. Nick Hakim-starting to really dig his music 3. Of Love & Riots Show in Sac was both tiring and nourshing, we worked our asses off (Trust Your Struggle Collective) 4. My boy, he wanted to quit, but pulled through to finish strong 5. Feminist Frequency- I thank Sarkeesian for opening up my eyes to more in gaming, especially since my son is about to get into it 6. Minorities in Publishing-this blog is educational if you are interested in getting into publishing, it features POC from many facets of the game 7. Street Etiquette-brothers have style, and its inspiring to see 8. Heroes of the Environment-a dope book about a lot of different people putting in work to save the earth and its people 9. Gehard Demetz-his sculpture is DOPE!! 10. Knxledge-making some very slapworthy beats 11. Pref-Id- Dope graff writer w/ a unique style 12. Zoot Suiters-they went through a lot to express themselves and assert their identity 13. DOPE was a great movie, need more of them 14. Joe Conzo-dope photographer who catches some beautiful moments 15. Wille Real-Dope illustrator who gets to the point 16. 1978ers-feeling their sound!

July 15, 2015
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