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.
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?
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.
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”
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
