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Art for Berkeley Public Library-Mr Jacobs

This Spring, I got the opportunity to work on something for the Berkeley Public Library! An illustration of famed Black librarian from South Berkeley, Mr Jim Jacobs who pioneered some historic programs at the library back in the 60’s! Here’s a little background on Jim.

And here’s the added bonus, when doing work like this I get to assist what librarians are already doing which is providing a rich array of stories, creativity, knowledge, and information for their patrons; finding what folks want to read, and showing what they might like! So, take your kids to any of the Berkeley library branches. Sign them up for a library card, get them reading, and log the books for prizes:)

Here’s a bit of sketching to do the illustration.

There’s a pretty cool photo of Jim reading and playing his guitar to kids so we kind of went with that but it was fun to imagine him a few ways.

Here i shared some color ideas with the staff there, shout out to Erica, Elaine, and Juan.

Here’s what the final linework looked like which they used to make……

Photo by my wife joy

If you’re a Berkeley resident and you’d like to get this bag, a free book, or other prizes go to this page, log the books you read , and get on it. Also, OG librarian ms Erica said these are limited edition so….

They also made these cool stickers 🙂

Dig this? Check out my work for..

June 15, 2026
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Libros Solidarios – Book Cover

photo by my wife

I did the cover illustration for this book by accomplished teachers Dr. Luz Yadira Herrera (CA) and Dr. Carla España (NY) a couple years back. I had some footage of the painting process but I misplaced it and cannot find it. But, lemme share some of the process with you.

First and foremost, this is a guide for teachers and educators. It’s meant to help Spanish and bilingual teachers recognize the life experiences of their Latine students, outline kids books that affirm that, and pack in hella tips, tricks, resources, and guides for how to get it cracking. Get the book here.

In this book you’ll find Unit projects, Sample activities, Language study, Translation discussion and reading group guides.

You’ll also find guides for dozens of great kid lit books by creators such as Duncan Tonatiuh, Claribel A. Ortega, Adrianna Cuevas, Emma Otheguy, Margarita Engle, Juan Felipe Herrera, Aida Salazar, Lisette Norman, Yuyi Morales, and more.

Ok, when I’m vibing out and really diving into a story or project for a client I’m exploring lots of options. I probably had 3 or 4 times as many ideas for how this cover could look. I settled on three main ones and pitched those to the art director from Brookes Publishing; Rachel Word who would then share key images with Luz and Carla. They chose A3.

From there, I refined the sketch and added some grey tones to convey light, shape, and composition. After that I did an outlined version with the last few tweaks.

From there, I shared some ideas for color and I try to pick some that are a bit odd, or different from what I’ve seen on other curriculum books.

Then, the final cover painting was done with ink and watercolor.

I passed it on to Brookes and designers there brought it to life with the accompanying type and back cover design. It came out really fresh and I hope K-6 grade educators are able to make use of the wealth of information provided by these two bad ass educators. Cop this book here for your classroom!

Dig this? Check out my cover for Robert M. Alexander’s book “He Hit Me First”

May 10, 2026
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AFYA health clinic poster

Last spring a doctor (Kara Durand) who is also a parent at a school I’ve done some work at in Oakland reached out to commission me to do an illustrated poster for the Afya Center for Health Equity at Kaiser Permanente Oakland. Afya means health in Swahili.

The center was founded by Dr Nailah Thompson. Listen to her talk about why the clinic was founded and how they are aiming to care for and uplift the health of the East Bay’s Black commmuity.

Here are some photos from when the clinic opened taken by Dr Rita Ng.

And here’s a little bit of artwork to show how the piece was created. For this piece I wanted to illustrate a primary care physician having a conversation with a patient. Something simple but intimate and caring.

Link to watch video process

Dig this? Check out this illustrated poster to inform folks about how to fight back against ICE raids. We Are Sanctuary.

Photo of Nailah and Kara holding the original painting!

December 10, 2025
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Short Story 34 – Monster on Market

Short story 34 – It sounded the way Big momma described the big earthquake of 06′. Loud and out of nowhere. One minute we’re out at the theater watching War of The Worlds, the next we’re running for our lives. Shrieks and wind seem to hit you at every turn. Me, Loretta, Doris, and Addie weree the first to catch the trolly car. Earl? Well, we thought he was on with us but he wasnt.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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

February 8, 2025
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Inspiring Artist – Greg Ruth

I don’t remember how I came across Greg Ruth’s amazing illustration but after I found him I started seeing his work a lot. Greg is an incredible illustrator with multiple styles. Dry brush, pencil, and pen & ink. Mostly traditional media mostly. Check him out.

Greg does a bunch of private commissions but he also works in comics, does book covers, artwork for films, and album covers, etc. See more of his work HERE.

Here’s an interview he did with Criterion.

What’s this? This is where I share inspiring artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times indirectly. I share them here on my blog in the hopes that somebody will also find some inspiration in their work. Check out some of the other artists I’ve shared.  

Dig this? Check out my last Inspiration board.

July 27, 2024
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Free the Congo

Ok here’s the short version of my description:

A quick drawing/painting of a delivery truck with graffiti on it saying “Free the Congo” and “Down with Colonialism”. I painted this in solidarity with the people of the Congo in central Africa who are suffering from the direct effects of colonialism. The news will say its about corrupt leaders, I say look into the history of Belgium and France, their past and current colonial ties. Look into the countless companies in Europe and the US who profit from its vast mineral wealth (Coltan, Cobalt, etc). Who benefits from the millions who have been killed and displaced there? How is this related to other countries in Africa, Colombia, Palestine, the Philippines, India? The obscenely wealthy 1 % dont get there through “hard work”. They get there by using murder, rape, theft, sabotage, assasination, bribery, misinformation, and misdirection. To stand in solidarity with the Congo, please follow the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa and independent news outlets to hear more about what is happening there and what activists there are calling on us to do. Comment w/ a journalist, book, podcast, artist, or news outlet that is accurately reporting about Congo.

Sources: Marc Lamont Hill, Kambale Musavuli, Double Down News, Break Through News, Democracy Now

Dig this? Check out this direct action against Black Rock who funds genocide in Palestine.

July 23, 2024
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Illustrations for RISE 4 Us Book Project

Just got these in the mail. Last year I began work on these beautiful tributes to loved ones (specifically Black fathers) lost to gun violence in Seattle. The families of Dare’Reon Newton and D’Vonne Picket Jr wrote these stories with an organization called RISE ( Resilient in Sustaining Empowerment) founded by Lynniah Grayson. Shout out to Jeffrey Cheatham for sending connecting me w/ them.

Here are some process drawings and the color illustrations. These are very rough and tight because the art directors/organizers of the project were working on a really tight budget and timeline. Shout out to Anika Zebron and Desi Caswell. But the stories were written with children from their perspective w/ family members and RISE.

These books benefit families. There were multiple families in the project affected by gun violence. If you’d like to see the other books and support families go visit them here at RISE 4 US.

Dig this? Check out the most recent art book I made called “Art of Rob” which has 130 pgs of artwork including drawings, paintings, and even a tutorial.

May 20, 2024
in General, Ilustration
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My work at Pinole Public Library in March

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.

Dig this? This is another exhibit my work was in Beyond the Diaspora down in San Jose. Or this one called “My Homies are My Heroes” which was curated by my sis Nancy Pili.

February 9, 2024
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“Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies” collaboration

I started working with CLES –the Coalition for a Liberated Ethnic Studies in 2022 and it has been awesome to contribute to the incredible work they are doing to provide resources, curriculum, and advocacy for folks trying to get ethnic studies to kids in public schools, amplify those currently teaching it, and to stand up for those facing attacks because………surprise surprise, lots of reactionary adults are scared of their children feeling uncomfortable. Yeah, the true history of the United States and how it realtes to the world is uncomfortable af, but as a great writer once said :

"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin

Please follow them on IG and cop some merch, to support their work. If you follow me you know how I feel about ethnic studies curriciulum and why it is vital for young people to get and understand.

Dig this? Check out this painting of a phrase I like to use “Ethnic Studies in Every School”.

January 16, 2024
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Sometimes it gets shelved 6- Worker’s union

Sup fam, been a while since I shared one of these. Its a shelved illustration for a west coast teacher’s union. For some reason this didn’t quite make the cut but we got almost to the end so I thought I’d share. Check out some of the process. 

Thumbnails
Linework
Color samples

What is this? There are projects I work on as a freelance artist that never see the light of day. I mean , its possible that they get used but I think more often than not the organization or company is trying to do their best and sometimes it doesn’t work. 

Final color

Dig this? Check out this piece about Migration from a few years back

August 2, 2023
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