Just finished reading this one and really enjoyed it. I haven’t enjoyed a GN this much since Swim Team, Super Boba Cafe, Nightlights, or Mexikid.
You can cop the book here at Macmillan or check it out from your local library for free like I did. Support your local library.
Dig this? Check out my latest Inspiration board.
Been almost a year since I shared one of these because times are challenging but here are some things giving me light. Top to bottom, left to right.
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more
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.
Ed Motta (Rio, Brazil) – 1978 2013
I can’t recall how I came across Ed Motta, but he is my favorite Soul singer from the country of Brazil! check out his work, he plays, sings, and writes.
What is this? This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover. My name is Rob and I’m an artist and author from the Bay Area.
Bebel Gilberto (Rio, Brazil) – Ceu Distante Remix by DJ Spinna 2005
I was introduced to Bebel (daughter of Joao and Miucha) through my sons mom and later found this remix by one of my fav Brooklyn producers, DJ Spinna.
Djavan (Maceio, Brazil) – Nereci 1978
Love this song and cannot remember how I came across it but I thought the brother looked super fly ion his sandals, little did I know he is a legend.
Kevin O Chris (Rio, Brazil)- Tu Tá Na Gaiola 2018
I think I heard about Brazilian Funk through an article from Afro Punk about their multiple day parties and found this banger through that search. It slaps. The slang is thick tho if you don’t speak Brazilian Portuguese.
Marcos Valle (Rio, Brazil) – No Tem Nada Nao 1973
Found this through Madlib! He had a mix from Brazil and had so many great cuts on there, but this is the one that stuck out the most and I’ve played this song 100s of times. Marcos Valle is still collaborating w/ folks!
Zelia Barbosa ( Brazil) – Funeral do Lavrador 1968
This is a record my sons mother gave me almost 25 years ago. I immediately fell in love with this song though there are several with heart wrenching themes. Highly recommend it!
Matchola feat 2ZDINIZZ (Sao Paulo) – Pensando en mim 2026
Just came across this dude whos style page says “Boom Bap Melodic”. Interesting! I’m feeling it.
Lo Borges ( Belo Horizonte, Brazil) – Calibre 1972
I came across this track through producer musician Flwr Chyld. Love it!
Gal Costa (Salvador Bahia, Brazil) – Pontos de Luz 1970s
Came to this gem through the incredible Kaytranada who sampled it for “Lite Spots”.
Toquinho feat Jorge Ben (Sāo Paolo, Brazil) – Carolina Carol Bela 1970
Just heard this the other day on a video from IG with some young futbol players.
Jorge Ben (Rio, Brazil) – Oba La Vem Ela 1970
Man, this song. I was introduced to Jorge Ben through my sons mom. She was a huge fan and so I started to listen, internalize a few of the songs and this is one of my favorites.
For Brazilians, I know this is a bunch of old stuff sprinkled with a few current records. But, these are songs I love. There are some other artists I’ve listened to like Emicida, Anitta, Nego do Borel, and DJ Renan De Penha
DIG THE MUSIC? THERE’S MORE!
San Jose Day was really fresh, like 510 day in Oakland or 415 Day in SF it celebrates and champions local artists, musicians, culture, and more. I went there to check it out last year and you should too.
Dig this? Check out these posts about
I saw this film last year in a fully packed room of librarians, authors, teachers, and activists and I’m still processing it. What I hope you get from watching the trailer is a sense of the depth of what authoritarian actors are going to in order to stop the flow of information, understanding, and empathy. It is not about what is age appropriate , it is about removing public access to knowledge.
Side note: I have had two books I’ve worked on as an illustrator banned and I know dozens of fellow authors or illustrators who’ve experienced the same and it relates directly to this documentary film.
More information about the doc HERE
Dig this? Check out this post about Authors Against Book Bans
Errrray, this is my second inspiration board for the year. And what a tough fucking year it has been and its not even over yet. Top to bottom, left to right:
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more
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.
This is an incredible organization that formed recently to combat the barrage of bullshit, empty, hollow, and down right dangerous book bans that have been happening and exploding across the US. Those who are challenging and removing kids books from shelves (w/o reading them) are not worried about children being too young to learn about race, gender, sexuality, or political protest. They don’t want their kids and others in their state to develop critical thinking, empathy, and/or understanding. And even more sinister, this is a way to target, disrupt, shut down, and defund public libraries and public schools. Why? To privatize them and make sure there is LESS access to information. But don’t take my word for it, read about it. The situation is URGENT!!!!
Articles/videos about what is happening:
After digesting that information that is where “Authors Against Book Bans” comes in because they mobilize parents, teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators, and activists to fight back. This is coalition of folks across the US. But, unlike the very well funded right wing organizations they have been doing this work with little to no funding. But they got a fiscal sponsor now and can take donations. If you can, please consider making a donation to their efforts.
Dig this? Check out this post about one of my books being banned OR my “Read Banned Books” print.
Blade is one of those pioneers of Graf that you cannot forget. His style of letters, his work ethic, and his personality featured in this short video by Montana.
Lil history for you. Before Montana and Belton writers would use paint made for cars, everyday house items, automotive repair, houses , etc for painting the master pieces you see. there was red devil, Rustoleum, hard ware stores like ACE had their own brands, and Krylon; the best of the best. When the Montana and Belton came along there were more colors, thicker paint, larger cans, better caps, and more opportunities for style created.
Dig this? Check out this panel discussion w/ my crew TYS Collective
I came to Eva’s work through Instragram. In the general feed (if I’m checking out illustration) I occasionally see some heat and I loved this image right away when I saw it. Eva is a DOPE illustrator from Spain who uses traditional media such as water color and colored pencils to create some of the illest illustrations I’ve ever seen. Check out more of her work here.
Her work has a fierceness and softness to it that is unmatched. I love the down to earth emotion and the wild out there fantastical elements to it.
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 loved seeing Eva Sánchez Gómez’s work online and hope to check some of her picture books one day if I can get them in the United States. Here are some other artists to check out:
Bea Gifted – illustrator
Elizabeth Catlett – Sculptor and fine artist
Olivia Fields– Illustrator, cartoonist
Helen Mingjue Chen– Illustrator, concept artist
Check out an interview w/Eva here.
Dig this? Check out my last inspiration board
Cool short video about this indigenous photographer out in Oklahoma named Cody Hammer.
Dig this? Check out this video about Stephanie Bueno (photographer/lowrider)