One of a kind, Like me 2 - Book Release and signing

Ok, if you are a parent, teacher, librarian, book store owner, uncle, auntie, or a caregiver please come through to this book release event. Here you will hear from the author of this book about her story and the creation of the book. You will hear from me about my process of creating the illustrations for it, and you will hear from our publisher Janine Macbeth of Blood Orange Press who will talk about the importance of diverse books. This book is bilingual too, so if you think you know someone who could use it in spanish too, please come get a copy. At this event we will also be signing books and celebrating the 60th birthday of its writer Laurin Mayeno. 

Ok, si eres es un padre, maestr@, bibliotecario, un dueño de librería, un tío, una tía, o un caregiver por favor llega a este acontecimiento de liberación de libro. Aquí usted tendrá noticias del autor de este libro sobre su historia y la creación del libro. Usted tendrá noticias de mí sobre mi proceso de crear las ilustraciones para ello, y usted tendrá noticias de nuestro editor Janine Macbeth de la Prensa de Blood Orange Press que hablará de la importancia de libros diversos. Este libro es bilingüe también, tan si usted piensa que usted conoce a alguien que podría usarlo en el español también, por favor venga consiguen una copia. En este acontecimiento también firmaremos libros y celebraremos el 60 cumpleaños de su escritor Laurin Mayeno.

Character 116 - Tito (Stand and Deliver)

Tito was the coolest dude in Jaime Escalante's class. I wondered what kind of a band he played in and what his character did on the weekends when not in school. Of course, he looks like he was in his twenties. Tito is a character from a late 80s a film called "Stand and Deliver" that gave me a gift. As a child watching this film I recognized some of the characters, but didn't know so many of them.  This is a rare portrait of latinos in East LA at the time. In Hollywood films Latinos were and still are tropes, stereotypes, and tired shells of characters if they are seen at all. Most of the time Raza are invisible in film, but in "Stand and Deliver" we get to see a variety of nuance, layer, and subtlety because the teens in Mr. Jaime Escalante's class were not one type. They were jocks, nerds, princesses, rockers, thugs, students, and kids who could not be categorized. If you have never seen the film, or if you haven't seen it since you were a kid I recommend re-watching it. The genius portrayal of a Bolivian math teacher who challenged and inspired a generation. The effects of his work to teach algebra than calculus are still being felt. 

Did you see my version of "Angel" from the film?

Furqan's First Flat Top UPDATE 12 - Great Blog reviews

Yoo, so far I have been reaching out to media, blogs, radio, and tv. It is super difficult to get a review with anyone and some people just flat out don't get it. And many in the publishing world don't care, which explains why it looks the way it does as a whole. It's ok the change is coming and I will continue to seek out those who "get it" because I know they're out there. Case in point, here are two awesome book reviews; one who I reached out to and one that came to my story. So much gratitude to these two great bloggers/ book lovers.

1. At Home Librarian! By Elizabeth Wroten

This is such an awesome blog with tons of book reviews of all types of books. Grateful for Elizabeth's words because she "gets it". 

2. The Nerds of Color by Shawn Taylor

Wow, I have been following this blog for quite awhile and love that they pull no punches in calling out bullshit and at the same time highlighting and celebrating great work. Shawn "gets it" too.

Please check out both of these blogs and share the posts that you like.

Character 115 - Ana Delgado (Stand and Deliver)

I loved Ana's character in the film. She was so quiet and seemed to be showing only the tip of the iceberg when it came to her personality. Working in her family's restaurant and not expected to do anything more than what her parents did before her; she rises to the occasion in Jaime Escalante's calculus class. Ana is a character from a late 80s a film called "Stand and Deliver" that gave me a gift. As a child watching this film I recognized some of the characters, but didn't know so many of them.  This is a rare portrait of latinos in East LA at the time. In Hollywood films Latinos were and still are tropes, stereotypes, and tired shells of characters if they are seen at all. Most of the time Raza are invisible in film, but in "Stand and Deliver" we get to see a variety of nuance, layer, and subtlety because the teens in Mr. Jaime Escalante's class were not one type. They were jocks, nerds, princesses, rockers, thugs, students, and kids who could not be categorized. If you have never seen the film, or if you haven't seen it since you were a kid I recommend re-watching it. The genius portrayal of a Bolivian math teacher who challenged and inspired a generation. The effects of his work to teach algebra than calculus are still being felt. 

Did you see my version of Jaime Escalante?

Blacks in the Arts- Blog Feature

Go here to read the interview

Please go check out “Blacks in the Arts” a project/blog of two Howard students working in film. The blog is starting out and has interviews and profiles of black artists working in various mediums. I’m honored to be a featured guest there.

One of a kind, Like me 1-New book

Check out the cover of the new book I illustrated called "One of a Kind, Like me", coming out this fall. Book Art from One of A Kind, Like Me / Único como yo by Laurin Mayeno. Illustration copyright 2016 byArt of Robert Liu-Trujillo.

Danny thought the best way to describe his costume for the school parade was to draw it...

Pre-order your copy before 9/20/16 and receive 10% off the cover price! http://bit.ly/2aRR4Zs

Published by Blood Orange Press

Character 114 - Angel (Stand and Deliver)

Whats "Cal-Culus" ? This character is "Angel" who is not what he seems. You might see thug or cholo, and that is part of his character. But in the film we get to see so much more of who he is. In the late 80s a film called "Stand and Deliver" gave me a gift. As a child watching this film I recognized some of the characters, but didn't know so many of them.  This is a rare portrait of latinos in East LA at the time. In Hollywood films Latinos were and still are tropes, stereotypes, and tired shells of characters if they are seen at all. Most of the time Raza are invisible in film, but in "Stand and Deliver" we get to see a variety of nuance, layer, and subtlety because the teens in Mr. Jaime Escalante's class were not one type. They were jocks, nerds, princesses, rockers, thugs, students, and kids who could not be categorized. If you have never seen the film, or if you haven't seen it since you were a kid I recommend re-watching it. The genius portrayal of a Bolivian math teacher who challenged and inspired a generation. The effects of his work to teach algebra than calculus are still being felt. 

Did you see my version of Ana Delgado?

Character 113 - Cobe ( Cease Fire)

Cobe handled a situation with a young man who was about to go get involved in some funk incredibly. He calmly talked to the brother, took his mind to other options, and he checked up on him regularly. Cobe seems like the family man. As part of the Cease Fire crew, he like all of them are putting their lives on the line when intervening between hostile situations.

 I re-watched the ITVS documentary “The Interrupters” about a team of Black and Latino ex-gang members and cats called “Ceasefire” who lived the life and are now acting as agents of change. They find situations where there is evidence of long standing beefs, an insult, a stare, a look, anything that could set it off-and they step in. I don’t claim to have a complete understanding of “Ceasefire”, but what they and so many others have been doing to stop us from killing each other is inspiring. Don’t let anyone tell you people of color ain’t out there trying to stop the violence; that we only get upset when a cop murders. It’s not true. Please watch the Interrupters here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/interrupters/