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Inspiring stuff Tag

Inspiration board 48

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.

  1. Book: Armaveni is a graphic novel about Armenian genocide, history, etc by Nadine Takvorian
  2. Music: This jazz drummer rocks w/ a solid hip hop foundation. Listen to Makaya McCraven
  3. Book: This graphic novel tackles Chicago student resistance to book bans-Wake Now in The Fire
  4. Culture: This is a plaque from a well known Lowrider club in LA called “the Individuals”
  5. Distribution: A hip hop record store turned distributor. I wish there was a book distributor 4 kid lit like Fat Beats
  6. Podcast: Shawn from the R&B group Boys 2 Men has a dope podcast called On That Note
  7. Journalism: Newish but packing a punch abt unions, labor, economy, politics, etc is More Perfect Union
  8. Film: This is a great documentary about independent hip hop venues and scenes in 90s LA called Where We’re From
  9. Film: This is an older documentary about an attempted coup in Venezuela of then president Hugo Chavez
  10. Art: This artist has been consistently putting out radical and progressive work, check out Courtney Ahn
  11. Music: She has dropped her first LP in a decade, take a listen to this LP by Phill’s own Jill Scott
  12. Social Media: This Dad & educator is consistently sharing great info/views Fernando Deveras
  13. Music: This song had med dancing and singing along by Donaeo feat Omar, Lemar, & The House Gospel Choir
  14. Event: I attended this Bay Area event last year and really appreciated it. San Jose Day
  15. Music: This Nigerian UK singer songwriter is fantastic. listen to Ego Ella May
  16. Community: I have been inspired by more Black folks getting into the Tiny House world

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.

July 16, 2026
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Stuff I’ve Been Listening to 28- Cuts from Brazil

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! 

  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 25: MORE SOUL
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK ARTISTS
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: MORE JAZZ
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: RAPS
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 18: HOUSE
July 3, 2026
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Must See Film: The Librarians

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

January 22, 2026
in Educational Resources
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Inspiration Board 47

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:

  1. Illustration: Eva Sanchez Gomez is a Spanish illustrator who’s work I dig!
  2. Book: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson is a huge puzzle piece of Black, American, and world history. I highly recommend reading it.
  3. Art: Bobby Pontillas is a filmmaker, animator, educator, and concept artist who’s work is beautiful.
  4. Book: Drawing Walls by Matthew Burgess & Josh Cochran is a phenomenal picture book biography about artist Keith Haring.
  5. Music: One of my fav hip hop groups ever-The Coup blends funk, mob music, hip hop, and political education beautifully. Listen!
  6. City: Earlier this year I visited Seattle for the 4th time and I really love this city!
  7. Music: I started listening to Flwr Chyld last year and really love his music (Soul, R&B). Listen.
  8. Podcast: This is a native podcast about politics and culture. Listen.
  9. Graffiti: I always wish to see more radical Graf and this blog collects and curates them! Radical Graffiti.
  10. History: Ashley Barron is someone making great use of social media to educate. Watch.
  11. Event: Lightbox Expo is an annual animation industry event in Los Angeles. Learn more.
  12. Film: Fatherhood is a sweet film about being a parent starring Kevin Hart. Watch.
  13. Journalism: LA Taco is a food blog who’s reports on ICE activity in LA was heart breaking and inspiring to watch. Read.
  14. Politics: I like so many were inspired by the campaign of the Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani!
  15. Journalism: Erik Garcia takes incredible moments in Xican@ history and remixes them on social media.
  16. Animation: Had to post about this film in 2022 and K Pop Demon Hunters did not disappoint. Such an aspiring film. Watch!

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.

November 26, 2025
in Creative Resources
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Authors Against Book Bans-JOIN THE FIGHT!

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:

  • Fast Company: A revolution happening in kids publishing
  • Huff post: Author Laurin Mayeno talking about OUR BOOK being banned
  • Code Switch Podcast: Truth and lies behind book banning
  • Blavity: Zetta Elliott speaking abt one of her books being banned
  • Book Riot: A new era of banned books week
  • Lee & Low: Record surge in book bans
  • Video: Pen America testimony
  • Video: Trailer for the film The Librarians
  • Video: The Daily Show interviews Jerry Craft

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.

LINK to donate

Dig this? Check out this post about one of my books being banned OR my “Read Banned Books” print.

November 14, 2025
in Creative Resources, Educational Resources
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BLADE TC5

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

November 9, 2025
in General
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Inspiring Artist-Eva Sánchez Gómez

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

October 12, 2025
in General
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Amanda Seales invites Nodotdul organizers on

This was a great show from Amanda Seales (Journalist, Comedian, former emcee). What critics of her don’t get is that she is not falling for the bullshit and if half of them really supported icons like Fannie Lou Hamer, Baldwin, Malcolm, etc they would be listening instead of trying to get click bate.

Anyways, I loive how she not only does her own research and analysis for us but she invites others own with knowledge to game us up as well. Case in point, today she had on two Korean American organizers on from Nodutdol an organization whos purpose is:

“We are diasporic Koreans and comrades based in occupied Indigenous lands known as the United States and Canada. We organize for a world free of imperialism, and for Korea’s re/unification and national liberation.“

Nodutdol organizers Jamie and Heath talk about the history of US imperialism in Korea, how South Korea is still occupied by the US, how North Korea is propagandized, and how this relates to Gaza, Guam, India, Puerto Rico and so much untold history. I learned a lot as someone with a parent born in Korea! Starting at the 2:12:00 mark, listen to this interview and get you some game.

Dig this? Check out this short story about Haenyeo or this illustration of a Jeju diver .

August 13, 2025
in Educational Resources, General
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