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character design Tag

Characters from Mi Vida Loca (1993)

Hey, these are three characters from the 90s film Mi Vida Loca directed by Allison Anders. The three characters depicted here are Whisper, Mousie, and Sad Girl. I thought about drawing Ernesto too, but really wanted to honor the themes of female empowerment and friendship from the film. Whats your favorite line from the film?

Couldn’t find the original trailer, but this was a short behind the scenes.

On the film: The year was 1993 and writer/director Allison Anders film had just released. I was staying with my Dad in Hayward Ca (Bay Area) and we went to the movies to see it. Being that there were so few portrayals of young Latin@ people, families, or communities I was super juiced to see the film! It reminded me of Chicanos in Berkeley at the time. I remember loving it and arguing with my Dad who is from LA and did not love it. He argued that it was a stereotypical gang life portrayal of Chicanos in Echo Park. But, I felt it was a loving portrait that showed pain, love, sorrow, relationships, and triumph. 30 years later I belive the film still stands up and the messages about sisterhood, female empowerment, the dangers of tribal warfare (gangs), machismo, and even class still ring true. Have you seen it? Check out the individual characters below for more info.

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m a mixed kid-Black, Korean, Mexican, and Apache. And I’m an author/artist from the Bay Area. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Nice to meet you.

Character 172 – Whisper

Character 173 – Mousie

Character 174 – Sad Girl

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”

August 22, 2024
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Character 174 – Sad Girl (Mi Vida Loca)

This is “Sad Girl” played by actor Angel Aviles. From the relationship with her sister, Ernesto, her friendship and rivalry with Mousie, and her place as a Loca; Sad girl carries the film. I love when she’s shy, tough, and a friend, and mama she portrays as Sad Girl. One of my favorite scenes is when she invites Mousie to go to McDonalds, when she tells the guys in River valley their drinks taste like shit, or when she is calm even when Mousie is getting on her nerves. Angel Aviles is an accomplished actor who has been in several films and tv shows. She’s a mom, and an author who has made it her mission to help young women as a life coach!

On the film: The year was 1993 and writer/director Allison Anders film had just released. I was staying with my Dad in Hayward Ca (Bay Area) and we went to the movies to see it. Being that there were so few portrayals of young Latin@ people, families, or communities I was super juiced to see the film! It reminded me of Chicanos in Berkeley at the time. I remember loving it and arguing with my Dad who is from LA and did not love it. He argued that it was a stereotypical gang life portrayal of Chicanos in Echo Park. But, I felt it was a loving portrait that showed pain, love, sorrow, relationships, and triumph. 30 years later I belive the film still stands up and the messages about sisterhood, female empowerment, the dangers of tribal warfare (gangs), machismo, and even class still ring true. Have you seen it? Comment below w/ your favorite line?

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m a mixed kid-Black, Korean, Mexican, and Apache. And I’m an author/artist from the Bay Area. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Nice to meet you.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”

August 22, 2024
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Character 173 – Mousie (Mi Vida Loca)

This is Mousie played by the incredible and accomplished actor Seidy Lopez. You might have seen her in Selena, Training Day, or the newest Netflix Selena series. What I appreciate so much about Mousie in the film was her fierceness, the one liners like “please”, and how skilled she is at her craft as an actor. She played phases of Mousie’s life so well she became that character. I hope she directs a film some day! This is the second in a series of characters from the 1993 film “Mi Vida Loca”. Check out Whisper here.

On the film: The year was 1993 and writer/director Allison Anders film had just released. I was staying with my Dad in Hayward Ca (Bay Area) and we went to the movies to see it. Being that there were so few portrayals of young Latin@ people, families, or communities I was super juiced to see the film! It reminded me of Chicanos in Berkeley at the time. I remember loving it and arguing with my Dad who is from LA and did not love it. He argued that it was a stereotypical gang life portrayal of Chicanos in Echo Park. But, I felt it was a loving portrait that showed pain, love, sorrow, relationships, and triumph. 30 years later I belive the film still stands up and the messages about sisterhood, female empowerment, the dangers of tribal warfare (gangs), machismo, and even class still ring true. Have you seen it? Comment below w/ your favorite line?

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m a mixed kid-Black, Korean, Mexican, and Apache. And I’m an author/artist from the Bay Area. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Nice to meet you.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”. Peace.

August 19, 2024
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Character 172 – Whisper (Mi Vida Loca)

This is Whisper from Mi Vida Loca. I loved her voice and just how natural she portrayed this character as an actor. I was just a teenager and I loved Whisper’s character as a strong mujer, business women, and friend. In the film she is portrayed by actor Nélida López.

On the film: The year was 1993 and writer/director Allison Anders film had just released. I was staying with my Dad in Hayward Ca (Bay Area) and we went to the movies to see it. Being that there were so few portrayals of young Latin@ people, families, or communities I was super juiced to see the film! It reminded me of Chicanos in Berkeley at the time. I remember loving it and arguing with my Dad who is from LA and did not love it. He argued that it was a stereotypical gang life portrayal of Chicanos in Echo Park. But, I felt it was a loving portrait that showed pain, love, sorrow, relationships, and triumph. 30 years later I belive the film still stands up and the messages about sisterhood, female empowerment, the dangers of tribal warfare (gangs), machismo, and even class still ring true. Have you seen it? Comment below w/ your favorite line?

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m a mixed kid-Black, Korean, Mexican, and Apache. And I’m an author/artist from the Bay Area. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Nice to meet you.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”. Peace.

August 14, 2024
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Character Collage 2022-2024

Ok, its been a minute since I uploaded a collage of characters! Two years I think, but honestly some years are rough and last year and a half was that. Regardless, I still made some art and want to show some of the ones I actually liked. There was probably double or triple that either sucked or I just didn’t finish them. I started doing these collages in 2012 as a way to practice, smile at my accomplishments, and to see improvemeent. Still have so much longer to go! But, keeep swinging.

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Sister from my sketchbook 2021 2. Sketchbook doodle 3. Character revisited 4. L& M Tourers 5. Sketchbook doodle 6. Mama Peng 7. Sensei Fatima 8. 2023 Self portrait cruising 9. Blue face Sketchbook 10. Fairy Big Sister 11. C.R. Patterson & Sons 12. Sketchbook doodle 13. Sketchbook doodle 14. Sketchbook doodle 15. Mama & daughter 16. Sketchbook doodle

Dig this? If you are interested in more characters, check out my first art book “Art of Rob” 130 pgs of art. Wanna see some more character collages? Oh boy, there’s more

Want to work with me? Just email me at info@robdontstop.com

February 14, 2024
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Art vs Artist 2023

Been awhile since I did one of these. I tried to quickly pick some recent drawings , projects, or paintings that I like. Some of these are client work, but some are personal.  Top to bottom, left to right.
2. Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria by Rise Home Stories Project/ Leticia Hernandez-Linares
4. Character from We Are Yoga/Somos Yoga by Jill Guerra
5. Me
6. Illustration for In Dance Magazine
8. Cover of my book Fresh Juice/Jugo Fresco
9. Dr Muriel Petioni-Blk history month
Dig this? Check these out:
April 27, 2023
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Character 168 – Revisited

 

I was just taking a character design class on how to push your poses by Tony Bancroft and one of the assignments was to take an old pose (2011) and redraw it. I really like how this came out. 

In the new one, I was trying to put more of a curve in his pose. I wanted it to feel more 3/4 as well. Not straight on, and with some weight in his feet. Anyways, you can always improve! And thats what I’m trying to do. 
Dig this? Check out the last Collage of Characters 2020-2022

April 11, 2023
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