Sep 30, 2019

Recognize - Designers of Color

What up?! Just saw that this was posted so here I am sharing it with you all. Brother Maurice Cherry from Lunch Studio and Revision Path podcast reached out earlier this year and we collaborated on this anthology. He was working with a set up designers who were writing pieces about work and academic life in graphic design and I did an illustration for each article. Here's the description:
RECOGNIZE is a design anthology featuring essays and commentary from Indigenous people and people of color—the next generation of emerging design voices.

Check all of them out HERE

Inside Design is a blog from Invision which is a digital product design company based in New York.


Shout out to bro Maurice Cherry, if you've never heard his podcast Revision Path, you need to go check it out. It is a wealth of information and resources featuring Black Designers of every stripe.


Inspiration board 33

Ok starting from top to bottom, left to right these are some recents inspiring tings:
1. Musician- Kiefer 2. Picture book- Owl Moon 3. Illustrator- Suheb Zako 4. Vocalist/Musician-GreenteaPeng 5. Documentary-Merata (filmmaker) 6. Documentary-Keepers of the Game (Native Girls Lacrosse) 7. Nation- People of Sudan 8. YA Book- Children of Blood and Bone 9. Animation- Substance 10. Musician- Vweto 2/Georgia Anne Muldrow 11. Comic-The Faithful Spy 12. Nation - People of Puerto Rico 13. Journalism- 1619 Project 14. Podcast- WMC A history of capitalism 15. Film- When they see us 16. Illustration- Gian Galang

Want to see my last Inspiration Board 32 ? Click HERE

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

Sep 26, 2019

One of a Kind Like Me - 3 yr anniversary

Photo by Sujei Lugo
Yo, its the three year anniversary of this wonderful book! To celebrate, the author Laurin Mayeno made a new website with testimonies, background,  and ordering info. Go check it out!

LINK

Sep 20, 2019

SOL CON! - Columbus OH

Yooooo. I'm so excited to announce that I will be at this years 5th annual SOL CON in Columbus Ohio. This is an amazing comic con and creative festival featuring Black and Brown creatives from the midwest, the East Coast, the West Coast, Mexico, and so many more places. I met the festival's organizer Dr Frederick Luis Aldama at the last Latino Comics Expo! This event will be held at the Ohio State University and sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Billy Ireland Cartoon Research library, and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus. I

f you're in the area or know someone who is, please invite them!! Here is the website link to see who's there and some of the workshops. 

Check out this video:


Check out this other poster!!

Sep 18, 2019

Aqui Estamos- Video


Check out the trailer for this new documentary showcasing the self determination of the Puerto Rican people of Comerio. Find out more information about it here at We Still Here.

Sep 17, 2019

Sam! Copies

Just got my copies, bout to read with Dani tonight at the El Cerrito Public library. And you can get copies at your local bookstore, public library, or order them online HERE.

Again, here's the synopsis of the story:
Sam is a nine-year-old boy who loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. There’s just one problem: Sam’s family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his sister Maggie, and then his parents, even though it takes them a while to feel comfortable with it. But with lots of love and support, Sam and his family learn and grow through Sam’s journey to embrace his true self.  In the vein of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Sam! is based on a real story. With a note from the author explaining their family’s experience, Sam! is an important addition to a list of books that help children and adults discuss gender identity.

Sep 13, 2019

Array Films theater + Film Fest

New theater and film fest poppin off in Filipino town LA lead by Array Films. Check out the article LINK

Sep 11, 2019

Heat Rocks Podcast! - Lyrics Born on Curtis Mayfield

I've listened to a few of the episodes of this podcast and I love how they discuss music and allow for artists to talk about other artists who have inspired them. Most recently I listened to this episode on Curtis mayfield by the Bay's own Lyrics Born.

Episode LINK

Some of the other ones they've done are about D'Angelo, J Davey, Prince, Meshelle Ndegeocello, and so many more. Give them a listen.

Sep 10, 2019

Sam! Releases today!

You can go get this amazing new picture book I illustrated for Dani Gabriel and Penny Candy Books today. If you don't see it at your local bookstore or library please request it!

Sep 9, 2019

1st Tonga Public library

Check this out, just saw this from my friend and fellow author Cathy Camper, Tonga now has its first public library! Click on this LINK to read and hear the story.

Sep 5, 2019

Chapter 510 Poet - Samuel

Yo, just finished painting this for Ch510. This Friday September 6-9pm come through to Chapter 510 to meet and hear this young brother spit. Here is the event LINK.

And more info:

This year's Laureate Samuel Getachew was recently deemed the "Freshest new poet in the town" by the East Bay Express and held well-deserved space on the cover!  Samuel was also featured in Black Joy; An Anthology of Black Boy Poems (Nomadic Press) as part of our 2019 Black Joy workshop. 

Doors open at 6pm.
Reading at 7pm.
Open mic at 7:30.

Featured poets (so far):

Siara Edmond, 2019 Finalist
Greer Nakadegawa-Lee, 2019 Finalist
Lizette Navarro, 2017 and 2019 Finalist
Darien Em, 2018 and 2019 Finalist
Eleanor Wikstrom, 2019 Vice Laureate
Samuel Getachew, 2019 Laureate


To see the previous Chapter 510/Oak Poet Laureate:

Sep 3, 2019

Bee Paper Sketchbook Feature



Photo by Scott La Rockwell
Hey, I'm excited to say I have been featured on Bee Paper's blog of artists. This is super dope because I have been using their sketchbooks for a few years now and love the "Super Deluxe Mixed media" sketchbook. I draw a lot so it is important for me to have a sketchbook all the time.



Here's an example of my previous sketchbook using their product. These sketchbooks are dope because you can use ink, watercolor, pencil, marker, whatever and the paper holds. It doesn't fall apart. Try out it out if you haven't used them before.

Here's an older interview with the UK's "I am the Nu Black"

Transfinite plays at Oakland Pride Art Film Fest


Hey, I worked on this film and its in a Bay Area film fest if you want to check it out.