Til Infinity documentary- Souls of Mischief

Til Infinity:The Souls Of Mischief Official Trailer from Til Infinity Doc on Vimeo.
An incredible film if you can find it, watch it! I saw it on Xfinity. Look for it. Hella inspiring as a kid who bought and listened to the Blue tape, and as an Oakland native.

Children's portrait 46-47 Elijah & Zander

Elijah

Zander

Its been awhile. Here are brothers Elijah and Zander! These are two really cute mixed kids coming from both African American and Latino backgrounds. They are both into sports and Elijah's thing is music, and Zander's is science and math.

If you're interested in getting a portrait painted of your child please check out my store or email me at info@robdontstop.com

Want to see the previous Children's portrait of Sekani? Click HERE

BBC One Christmas Stop Motion animation

super inspiring work of art by BlinkInk animation studio UK, Snagged this from FloobyNobody.

Character 135 - Camel Pose

This is the Camel Pose in Yoga, also called Ustrasana. 

This is part of a short series of poc yoga art created in collaboration with Jill Guerra. To see the fruit of this in a book, check out this NEW Book!!!

This is a post about some of the first awards Jill made with some of my yoga illustrations.

Character 134- Seated half twist

This is called the seated half twist pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana. 

Character 133 - Tree Pose

This is Tree Pose or Vrksasana, part of a series of illustrations featuring young people and/or children of color. Who knows where its going but yogi Jill Guerra-Burger!

M is for Movement- Bldg power by Janine Macbeth

Yo, this is a recap of the most recent Social Justice Book Fair in Oakland at Chapter 510 featuring a bunch of authors, illustrators, The Alphabet Rockers, Two Mamacitas Pop up kitchen, and DJ XCairocitosX.

LINK TO READ

M is for Movement 2017 booklist

I finally got a chance to contribute some book recommendations for kids book in an official blog post kind of way. Please go check out the picture books, comics, and middle grade/ya books myself and many other authors and illustrators recommend. Just about every book has some hint of social justice in it, which is why the "M is for Movement" blog exists.

HERE

Feature with Rachel Meyer (Yogi)

Rachel Meyer is a Yoga teacher and practitioner from South Dakota, Oakland, and now Boston. I took her yoga class several times with my wife Joy in Oakland at a spot called Flying Yoga. One of many classes she taught around the Bay. I went because I wanted to just spend time with my wife (before we were married) and because she said that the instructor (Rachel) was her favorite. Once I took the class I could see why, she gave a good flow and breadth to the class. She gave guidance and instruction, but was not over bearing or annoying. She spoke not only of correct posture and the names of the poses, but of how the practice of moving through them could be applied to other aspects of our lives. Rachel has a great energy about her and from the way she lead those classes you'd think she's been doing it for over a century. 

Check out her website.

To read my interview go HERE

Character 132 - Warrior 1

Warrior 1 pose or Virabhadrasana I for yogi Jill Guerra

Character 131 - Warrior 3

Warrior 3 pose

Lowrider Roll Models

Kay from the door-Japanese American Ms Flores, kindergarden teacher and lowrider Really inspired to see these stories, Right on Lowrider!

Daddy Thoughts 14 - Memes & Time Away

The first time I think I ever heard of a "meme" was in 2010 or 2011. My house mate Marc-a great Dad explained them to me because I wasn't familiar with them. I did not know how significant they would become either. Fast forward to 2017 and meme images are a ubiquitous part of social media so I see them all the time. I never post them myself but I do occasionally get a laugh out of them. My son however tells me "everything" is a meme. Corny songs from the 80's are memes. Sound effects are memes. Youtuber's or comedic actors are memes. And definitely photoshopped pictures with text using a popular image are memes. As an adult I sometimes forget how wide open the internet is, especially in social media formats. My son's favorite is Youtube now since Vine has died. There is nothing profound to say except that his since of humor reminds me to laugh. To take a second and just find something, anything funny, to be goofy, and to chill out. There are certainly some songs I wish had stayed in the past (cue Rick Ashley), but it can be really funny. I do start to wonder how much all the isms like class, race, and gender play into what a young mind thinks is worthy. Also, what is deemed funny and what is not. Also, who has the where with all to make memes and who just consumes them?

So my son's mother and I have a co-parenting deal where he spends school year with me right now, and holidays + summer's with her. It is tough. I won't go into all the details but I was thinking of how it is both difficult and helpful to have time away from your kid. On the one hand I get super sad when I walk past his room and don't see him. Or strangely, when I am not hearing him make loud noises or ask me whats for dinner fifty times I miss him. But then, when I get over this feeling I also enjoy quiet, solitude, the space to work, and time with my wife. It is tough and a blessing. How many of you co-parent in the same city? State? Or in different states? I think it is essential to being a good parent that I as a parent don't lose what made me an individual person before I became a parent. I think I can deeply love my child, miss them, and also enjoy time to myself. Thank god for grandparents and community. And....I think my kid enjoys time away from me too because he gets to spend it with his mother. And I'm thankful for that. If we don't have time to recharge it can be really stressful for the kid and the parent/guardian.

Urban Dads- Dad groups

This is a really touching video, so inspiring to see. Great to see groups like this, Fathers Incorporated (ATL), Black Men Smile(ATL), Fathers Corps (Bay Area), and others doing the work.

Haylow's photos

inspiring interview w/ the homie-artist, dj, photographer, and sports fan-Halline "Haylow" Overby. Hire him.

LINK

Baba's- Benefits of reading to your kids

Yooo, such a good article about the benefits of reading with your kids. It could be comics, zines, graphic novels, magazines, don't matter just read and peep this article LINK

Character Collage (6) 2016-2017

Here is my annual collage of character's I've either designed or reimagined both with traditional and digital means. My main goal with these when I started 8 years ago was to practice working on figures and faces. More specifically I wanted to create a body of work that could be applied to children's books, gaming, comics, animation, film, and more. I wanted to explore figures from the past, people of color, ethnic studies, activists, science fiction, and fantasy. Let me know what you think!

1. EZLN- Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacíon Nacional 2. Cyclops-Xmen 3. Kamala Khan-Marvel character 4. Bobby Hundreds-Fashion design 5. Side plank - Yoga Pose 6. Repeal the Jones Act-boricuas 7. Sara KhoshJamal Fekri- Martial artist 8. Mary "Butchie" Tom- Dancer 9.  Bgirl Terra 10. Trayvon Martin 11. Lumad Youth-Philippines 12. Memphis Minnie-Blues 13. Frosty Freeze-Bboy 14. Vicki Manalo-Draves -Diving 15. Edna Lewis -chef 16. Mena

You can see the previous years here too: 

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2009-2012

If you are interested in more information about any of the characters in particular, or a print just email me at info@robdontstop.com

Character 130 - Cobra pose

The cobra pose and yoga for young people leads to transformation.

This is part of a short series of poc yoga art created in collaboration with Jill Guerra. To see the fruit of this in a book, check out this NEW Book!!!

This is a post about some of the first awards Jill made with some of my yoga illustrations.

Character 129 - Side Plank

This is the side plank pose in yoga.

This is part of a short series of poc yoga art created in collaboration with Jill Guerra. To see the fruit of this in a book, check out this NEW Book!!!

This is a post about some of the first awards Jill made with some of my yoga illustrations.

Character 128 - Warrior 2 yoga pose

Yoga pose- warrior 2

Rennell was proud of herself because she finally got the pose without falling over.

This is part of a short series of poc yoga art created in collaboration with Jill Guerra. To see the fruit of this in a book, check out this NEW Book!!!

Projects worth supporting: Comics, Food

Support the People's Kitchen-as they bring social justice and food together: LINK

Check out this new newspaper created by artist Ronald Wimberly LINK


Roye Okupe does it again with a new comic about Malka: LINK 


Mosaic Literary & Jamel Shabazz exhibition: LINK

Inktober 2017 drawings + past

Inktober is done! Didn't make it to 31, but def worked out the ink muscle. This year and last year I focused on indigenous folks from North and South America, and the Carribean. If you like, you can purchase the originals , each one for $60. Or if u prefer a print, lemme know $20. Free shipping. Peep the link in my bio for more originals. My email is info@robdontstop.com . Since some of the drawings touch on a person or group involved in social justice , I would gladly make a donation to a suggested organization or cause. Thx everyone for participating. 1 Love. 

You can also see all my previous inktober drawings from last year, and the year before HERE

Here are some of the tools I used to do my inktober this year.

M is for Movement-Interview

Here is the link to the interview about kids books

Inktober 19 - Dani Moonstar

I was inspired by illustrator Weshoyot Alvitre to do this one of superhero Dani Moonstar. This character not only has the power to shoot a bow and arrow but is known to use telepathy, and the ability to create illusions in the mind of her enemy. I don't know that much about her but dug her design. Oh and she was a part of the x force, xmen, and appears for the first time in the 80s in Marvel comics.

Sources: Indigenous Comic Con, Wikipedia

Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  

Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 18 - Rosie Perez

Rosie Perez is a Nyorican (New Yorker + Boricua) from Brooklyn. She started her creative journey as a dancer in the clubs of NYC who was known for getting down to hip hop, house, etc. The first time I saw her was in the film Do The Right Thing, then followed her career as an actress. She has been an actress lending her voice and physical performance in over 60 films, documentaries, and TV shows. Because she is such an amazing dancer she also worked as one of the Soul Train dancers, and has done choreography for Heavy D, Bobby Brown, LL Cool J, Diana Ross, and Broadway. And now she's an author and a director who has written about her experience, mental health, and has been an advocate for Puerto Ricans. This is Rosie from the famous opening credits of.....you remember that movie?

Source: Sway in the morning, Various films, Wikipedia

Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 17 - Guillermo Del Toro

The first Del Toro film I saw was La Espina del Diablo which was an incredible film mixing history, fantasy, and a bit of horror. Born in Guadalajara Mexico Del Toro got a fascination with film at an early age and has worked as a writer, director, and producer on well over 30 projects. Some of my favorites are Hellboy, The Hobbit, The Book of Life, and the first film I mentioned. As a child both my grandmother and my mom had a love for fantasy and horror. I then gravitated to these as well. Besides making films, I appreciate that Del Toro helps other filmmakers. Especially his hand in the making of "The Book of Life". You can see more of his work at www.deltorofilms.com

Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 16 - Hugo Gonzalez

I couldn't find much on Hugo, but from the sources I did find they tell me that Hugo is one of those riders who was unafraid. And by that I mean attempting a jump or a trick that might come out awesome, or might break your collar bone if you land wrong. As a kid I loved bmx and freestlyle riding so much. But I didn't see any kids like me in media about the sport, so now I'm looking for them. Hugo is a rider from San Jose and was one of the members of the Norcal bmx riders (probably saying this wrong). Hugo (started at 15) was an influential rider from the Bay Area who turned Pro for Skyway and won many competitions worldwide. He was known for his jumps on ramps, his flatland tricks, and he still attends bmx reunions such as Steve Swope's Old School reunion. If any riders have more info on Hugo, feel free to comment. Much respect to Hugo! Here is a cool video of him.

Sources: KNTV-San Jose, freestylebmxtales43 blog, Ride bmx 

Want more bike art? Check out the L&M Tourers 2022

BMX Rider-Mariana Pajon

Defend Puerto Rico

So the US response to PR has been weak, disappointing, faulty, irresponsible, and down right hateful. It is not just the current idiot in office. There are other presidents since the colonization of the island (yes Obama too) who have contributed to a financial stranglehold on Puerto Rico. But check it out, you can help by calling your congress member and letting them know how you feel. Please follow DEFEND PUERTO RICO.

You can donate to them because they have Boricuas on the ground doing work, or you can put pressure on the US Govt. Check out these graphics by Michael Cordero, one of the co-founders.