Storyboard course panel

 

I'm taking the year long course led by these storyboard artists who collectively have tons of experience in the animation and filmmaking. If your interested check out some of the other free videos on the "Story Board Art" YouTube HERE.

Book review: At Home Librarian

Yo, we got a review by Tibby Wroten who runs the "At Home Librarian" blog where she reviews a diverse array of kid lit so parents, librarians, booksellers, and book lovers can learn about cool new books. Check it out HERE.

Here's a quote from the review:

"the book is a roadmap of sorts or how kids and adults can take steps to protect their communities. While this story is particular to gentrification, the ideas behind organizing community are the same no matter what issue you take on. I also really appreciate the ideas presented here around organizing the people around you to show up to City Hall to speak at council meetings and also getting plugged into organizations working specifically on the issue at hand. Most books for kids that talk about “activism” are about making signs and showing up at marches they didn’t organize."

And if you check out this link, you can see some other books of mine that she's reviewed.

 

VIDEO: My fav art books

 

What up y'all, been wanting to do this video for a minute. Art books are a great way to unplug from the internet or get someone reading who doesn't normally like books. Whenever I get stuck I pull out some ill art books, read them, and just flip through them. Check these books out. Cop them from an indy store or request them at your local library!

If you missed my last inspiration board check it here

The last kids book I did is called Alejandria Fights Back

Here are all the books I mention in this video, please support them. Cop from the artists themselves,   your local independent bookstore, or Bookshop.org.

-"Spraycan Art" by Henry Chalfant & James Prigoff 

-"One Track Mind" Graffiti Magazine 

-"OS Gemeos" 

-"Reflections In Black" by Deborah Willis 

-"Chaz Bojorquez" 

-"The Early Bird" by Morning Breath 

-"De La Soul" by Frank 151 

-"Spider Man Into the Spiderverse" by Sony/ Marvel 

-"The Dam Keeper" by Tonko House 

-"Robota" by Doug Chiang and Orson Scott Card 

-"Celebrate People's History" by Josh MacPhee 

-"Everyday Love Vol. 3" by Nidhi Chanani 

-"Frontier" by Hellen Jo 

-"Spam 4" by Mingjue Helen Chen 

-"The Black Book" by Khari Randolph 

-"Version 002" by Jake Wyatt 

-"Art of Jisei" by Miguel C. Hernandez

Bilingual book mark set updated

 

Here is an updated image for this set of bilingual bookmarks. You can cop a few or a set for a whole classroom. Go here!

If you're a bilingual parent, Spanish teacher, bookstore owner, or librarian check out this set of READ prints as well. 

Banned Books Week Panel

Yo, I'll be speaking with my co creator Laurin Mayeno, Betsy Gomez of Banned books Week , and the creators of Something Happened In Our Town. Tune in at 11:30 am PST!

LINK: Banned Books Week

Here are some of the other discussions happening next week!

 

Postcard Deal 2

 

Here is a second set of postcards. You know, some folks still send snail mail and dig these. If you are one of those people you can cop this set HERE.

This set has a mix of artwork with the themes of analog music, character design, self care, and people of color. The last set of postcards is here.

Breathe Vinyl Sticker

 

Here is a new sticker reminding you to "breathe". Its number four in a series of self care stickers aimed at getting folks to slow down and take stock of what's next and what matters. Cop one for you or for your team HERE.

The last one in the series is REST

Inspiration board 39

 

Ok, lately a lot of whats been on my mind is the study of film, particularly how to storyboard a good film sequence. Heres the board from top top bottom, left to right: 

1. Gaidaa- Incredible young singer/songwriter from the Netherlands via Sudan 

2. PBS YouTube series "Weathered" about climate change is scary and engaging 

3. Cassey Kuo-incredible concept/story artist 

4. DJ Premier is doing a videos series abt beats! 

5. Lightbox Expo-art, film, animation, illustration expo online 

6. Greentea Peng-great UK singer songwriter photo by Suki Dhanda 

7. Maya and the Three-Upcoming film by Jorge Gutierrez 

8. Blk Wmn Animator-is a video series by Deborah Anderson 

9. Jordi Lafebre-french illustrator for comics

10. Drik the Villain-Graf writer w/ 3d styles

11. Native artist- David Kanietakeron Fadden great piece abt native genoicde

12. My Dad the Bounty Hunter-an upcoming animated seriess by Everett Downing Jr. 

13. Studio Binder-great resource for learning film 

14. Screenwriter and story consultant Brian McDonald gets deep into the story

15. Hand lettering by Carmi Grau 

16. Script consultant/writer - Shannan E. Johnson gets structure

Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

Inspiration board 38 

Inspiration board 37

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 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 purchase my book "Art of Rob" here

Weathered - PBS

 

This series called weathered on PBS about extreme weather conditions is enlightening, frightening, and inspiring.

Black to School Night

 

Coming at the ends of this month I'll be talking with some educators and parents for the Black Teachers Project. We'll be talking about parenting during a pandemic and other tings. Tune in. 

If you're not familiar with BTP, check out this video 

Everett Downing Interview w/Black Woman Animator

 

This is an inspiring interview with animator, story artist, and now director Everett Downing. You can see some examples of his work here. Everett is super inspiring and I contributed to his Indiegogo for "The Book of Mojo" a few years ago. So excited to hear about his journey and directorial debut. 

If you missed my last inspiration board check it out here.

Brian Paupaw - Motion Graphics

 

I met Brian Deka Paupaw at a party in Brooklyn over a decade ago. Real genuine dude who does work for the kids and has amazing motion graphics work. Hire him!! 

Daddy Thoughts 22- Dreamt of arguing, listening

I just woke up from yet another dream that me and my teen were arguing about something. You see, I have some righteous (or so I think) concerns for my boy. One, bee a critical thinker. So, both me, my wife, and his mom often engage him in discussions about race, politics, class, gender, so many things. If I’m being honest though, part of it is because I grew up talking that way with my parents and I’m familiar wit it. I do truly hope that from his family het gets points of views that are different than what main stream movies, media, etc are saying. And I’ve told him I don’t want you to think like me, I want you to take what Im saying and form your own opinion. Having an informed opinion is important, i think.


Two. I really want him to know what it means to work hard and sometimes this desire overlooks the hard work he does do and the fact that the nature of work is changing. I’ve had him cleaning the bathroom, the living room, his room, doing his laundry, taking out the trash, I’ve given him jobs where he can earn money or pay me back for something I bought that he wanted. But sometimes, I can be a little too pushy and demanding. And I’m trying to do better. He sometimes bitches or moans at some extras I make him do and I have to remind myself I did too when I was a kid.


Three. I want him to choose a path forward (after high school) that he’s passionate about. I know at times he’d rather just play video games and stay in his room. And sometimes I forget what it was like to be a teenager and press upon him, adding to the pressure he must feel from all of us and all of it. I don't want him to serve the system of exploiting people though. I've been very vocal about that. Be aware of this or that, challenge this or that. But even I get bored of hearing myself repeat things so I know he must.


I haven’t been complete drill sergeant or a stoic figure who expresses little emotion, comfort, or love. But I have to remind myself to not get too angry when he refuses, gets annoyed, pulls away, or resists; and tell him. Tell him I’m proud of him, that I care for him and that I love him. I want to dismiss the myth that all teenagers are jerks, because they’re not. I do believe they are going through a lot during those years. I remember hormones raging, feeling self conscious, afraid to speak up, and just wanting nothing more than to hang out with my friends, my guys, to laugh, have fun, and make and see dope art in the form of music, graffiti, djing, paintings, so many things. I remember short answers with my parents and just wanting my own space to be free of rules and responsibilities. So I get it. I have to confess that I have let my frustration at perceived inaction get to me at times, and I’m trying to listen. That is ultimately what my dream was about. Forcing him to do something, and instead listening to him tell me how and when he wanted to deal with it. The issue I was mad about was not big, his words were/are.


Ooh, my toddler is awake and she’s demanding attention. If you're a parent who’s been there or afraid of going there, what are your thoughts or advice? Like when do they start eating breakfast again, lol.

Last Daddy Thoughts on Father's rap songs

If you'r new here, this is a series I've been writing for several years off and on about being a dad, co-parent, struggles, triumphs, mistakes, and more human shit. I'm trying every day to be a better dad, husband, co-parent, and human.

Inspiring Artist - Elizabeth Catlett (1915 - 2012)

 

I went to see a show of Ms Elizabeth Catlett's work several years ago at MOAD in San Francisco and I've been a fan ever since. I think I saw an image of hers in a book and was just intrigued by her style. She draw, painted, printed, and sculpted as far as I know. And my god she and is dope! She lived from 1915-2012 , born in Washington DC and passed away in Mexico. I love how some of her drawings are super realistic and others are quite exaggerated in style. Her work illustrated Black and indigenous folks in a pride stance. She also was an activist and organizer so you get to see some of her thoughts on race and class in her work. You can read more about her life and her work in this recently published website of her life and her work: https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/

Yo, if you're new: This is where I share artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times indirectly. Again go to her site and check her out. 

                                                       

The artist at work!

I still have this image up in my bedroom and love looking at Elizabeth Catlett's work. 

If you missed the previous artist who I think is inspiring please check out Olivia Fields. Still looking for more inspiration? Check out this board of people, places, and tings that inspire me here.

There was one on Mattahan/Paul Davey too.