Art of Rob - Surveys sent out!

 

Hey fam, if you supported or backed my kickstarter last year check your email for the survey I sent. I'm sending the books out slowly but surely!

Project LINK

Dig this? Check out the trailer for my first Kickstarter "Furqan's First Flat Top"

Thank you!!!

 

For all the homies and fam that thru down, shared, or sent words of encouragement-thank you! Time to chill. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 shout out to my wifey @thejoyliu for the ill book design and listening to me blab abt it! Thank you all so much!! Stay tuned......

Campaign link 

Did you catch my 2nd sketchbook tour?

20 Hours left! - Art of Rob Kickstarter!

 

In case u were holding out until the last minute, I just wanted to let you know that you have 20 hours left to back the "ART of ROB" Kickstarter campaign before it ends tonight. So please go throw down if you were meaning to. Not sure if we'll hit the third stretch goal, but we hit two already!

CAMPAIGN link

These two goals remain:

Podcast Interview w/ Solo Nerd Bird

 If you have a chance, check out the Solo Nerd Bird podcast (Baltimore) where KS does revues of games, films, and interviews w/ creatives. I'm excited to be featured on the podcast where I talk about my work and my kickstarter campaign. Tune in below.... LINK

Solo Nerd Bird · Interview w/ Robert Liu-Trujillo - Art of Rob

If you want to see past press Ive done go here. And if you would like to throw down on the kickstarter here is the link. Thank you 

Video: Thank YOU!

 BIG thank you to all of you who have sent encouraging words, shared the campaign, and contributed. I'm doing this w/o a publisher or some big company but with a lot of love and support from you so thanks!! If you have already seen my campaign for my art book please check it out, read the updates, share it, and back it. Ending soon on Nov 30th!

Campaign LINK

Campaign updates:

-Whats an art book? Who cares?

-Stretch Goals

-Lemme tell u abt this photo

Kickstarter Update - Lemme tell you about this picture

 

Let me tell you about this picture. This was in Nicole Martinez’s class at Cesar Chavez Elementary in Sacramento (2015) and it was taken shortly after the release of “I am Sausal Creek/ Yo Soy el Arroyo Sausal” written by author, healer, and former educator Melissa Reyes ( translated by Cinthya Munoz, pub by Nomadic Press). Melissa was and is awesome with kids. She wrote a story that told ecological and local history through the voice of a creek because it didn't exist. And she did it so it could be read in English or Spanish. Her story has captivated many children and families. Matter of fact, people still tell me that they love the story.

What does this have to do with “Art of Rob” or art books? When we (authors/illustrators) were invited to read I asked Melissa and Ms Martinez if I could share some of my artwork process with the kids and I’ve been doing that since then. The kids responded to it and after the initial ego boost of children saying wow to my drawings I thought of how important it is to see Black and Brown authors or illustrators come to your school and talk about their create paths. I thought about how important it is to encourage them to be creative by showing them our process. This book is about representation and encouragement.

Ever since then I have shared my sketchbook, picture books, and some process paintings and more often than not the kids are super juiced to see them. I always wanted a way to take some of that excitement and give it to them so they could take it home. If you’ve supported this campaign you are fulfilling that dream for me and helping to encourage new artists; I hope. Fingers crossed.

Whether you get Art of Rob or not, please invite BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) creatives to speak to kids in schools and libraries. That way children of color can see a reflection of themselves and other kids can see just how many types of people make stories. Also, please encourage children of all kinds, but especially children of color to explore the arts. I started doing children's books to make stories that reflected the world I see, my family, friends, and neighborhood. I didn't realize just how welcoming the teachers, librarians, bookstore owners, literacy workers, and children would be. That's it.

If you want to see an interview I did this past month with the Nerds of Color, go here. And if you haven't shared this campaign with someone yet please do. We're close to unlocking a new stretch goal, which means more pgs of art added to the book!

Previous post about Stretch Goals!

Kickstarter Update: Stretch Goals

 

If you're interested, I just made some stretch goals for this Art of Rob book campaign. One of which has already been unlocked. Check the rest out and spread the word if you want to make the book bigger. THANK YOU in advance and stay tuned.

LINK

Kickstarter 100% Funded! Thank You!!!

 

Fam, we're 100 % funded and in 3 days y'all. Thank you all for sharing, backing, and for spreading the word. I'm going to do a post about stretch goals soon but for now I just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!

In case you missed it, here is the link to the project!

Kickstarter Update: Whats an Art Book and who cares?

 

Wow, its only day 3 and my Kickstarter is almost 80 % funded! Amazing! Thank you all. Here's a bit of info to share....

What is an art book? Who cares? An art book is a tool, an escape, a resource, a push, a friend, its anything you want it to be. Of course we’re talking about paper, binding, pictures, words, etc. But it's also a way to grab attention and get kids to take a break from the screens when you need them to. You can put them on the kitchen table, on your bookshelf, home library, or in a classroom. If you can’t buy them, you can check them out at your local library. But why? Art books are a great way to encourage young creatives! There are lots of different types of art books. Here are a few:


1. Photography: "Reflections in Black by Deborah Willis"

Its a book cataloguing Black photographers from 1840-2000. It has essays, memories, think pieces, and tons and tons of photographs. Black & white, color, experimental, and more. #photography


2. Animation: "Into the Spiderverse"

This is an art of book. Whats that? Well many feature and animated films have art departments that develop the look and feel of a film from the way actors act, to the designs of their clothing. An art of book for a film that you like can expand your understanding of how it was made and who did it. This book features many departments of the film making process. #animation


3. Murals: "Maestrapiece: San Francisco’s Monumental Feminist Mural".

This book celebrates the herstory of a really huge mural painted in the Mission District of San Francisco on one of the first buildings ever dedicated to the lives of women; The Women’s Building. The book is full of old and new images, memories, and writings about how this crew of bad assess women painted this mural and why it means so much. #murals


4. Graffiti: "Piecebook the secret drawings of graffiti writers" by Sacha Jenkins and Chino BYI.

This is an ill book featuring some writing but mostly sketchbook drawings of pieces, characters, throw ups, and more by graffiti writers from the 70s to the 80s I believe. For any kid who was interested in Graffiti or street art this is a must have because it shows you a world that you wouldn’t get to see unless you were a part of the culture. #graffiti


5. Fashion: "The Sourcebook of Fashion Design".

This is a dope book featuring how to’s , writing, and tones of photographs of sketches, designs, fabric, outfits, and garments from the designer fashion industry. And I mention this because you might have a kid who loves fashion. Get them some fashion designer books! #fashiondesign


6. Architecture: The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings

This book features beautiful images of buildings of the future and some that echo the past. It spans the globe and features captions and short written pieces about the buildings. Got a kid in your life who loves architecture? #architecture


7. US History: "Celebrate People’s History" by Josh MacPhee

is a book of poster art. The art in this book features work by movement artists, groups, and more. The subject matter ranges from individual figures to historic events, places, and groups. And it talks about labor, laws, social justice, ethnic studies, and more. Because each poster has a very short reference it leaves it up to the viewer to look up what strikes them as interesting. #UShistory


8. Makers/ Builders: "Girls Garage" by Emily Pilloton

is an awesome resource for girls about how to build things. It features history, facts, and an encyclopedia about tools and lots of DIY tips on projects. One of the coolest things in it are profiles about women young and old who have built shit!! #builders

9. And lastly, I threw my book in there to illustrate the point that there are lots of different types of art books and mine is one of them. An artist sketchbook with character designs and other things. Thank you for supporting my kickstarter to make this art book a reality. Not only for me but hopefully for some young students out there.


If you're looking for any of these books please go to your local bookstore or library and ask them about these art books!!!

Also did you see this VIDEO?

My Kickstarter is LIVE!

 

Hey fam, thank you for continuing to rock with me. Today is the day. My new kickstarter (my first since Furqan's First Flat Top) is LIVE!!!!! Please follow the link to see the campaign and stay tuned for more updates and posts about what it is and why I'm doing it!

THE LINK >>>>>> Bit.ly/ArtOfRob

A new Kickstarter project by Me- Coming SOON

 

Fam, just putting you on notice that this is coming. I'm about to be posting ALOT about this, just fyi. This is a new book project and I would love your support. Plz check back in a few days because it's about to be ON. 

Projects worth supporting-Comics & Books

 

Kickstarter- 13 Ways of Looking at a Black Boy

Hey, please check out this kickstarter to help publisher Penny Candy Books reprint this wonderful book written by Afro Latinx poet Tony Medina from NYC and illustrated by 13 Black illustrators from all over the country including yours truly.

If this campaign is successful this book will go into its 5th printing. That means hella people have loved it and purchased it. But, there are plenty of kids who have never seen it. Check out the video, campaign, and throw down if you got a few bucks. Kickstarter LINK

Thanks in advance!

Maestra Piece Mural Book - Historic SF Mission Mural

You ever visited the Mission District and marveled at the murals? Me too, in fact I grew up on them while walking to my mom's job at SF General Hospital. And one of the most brilliant pieces was painted on the "Women's Building" painted by one of my mentors and biggest mural teachers (SFSU and life) Juana Alicia. In case you didn't know, Juana and the whole crew along with HeyDay Books is making a book about the Maestra Piece which will include writing by activist Angela Davis. Please share this widely. They should be at 10K by the weekend if everyone throws down.

LINK to support the campaign

LINK to more info about the mural

LINK to info about Heyday Books

Campaign worth supporting-They Call Me Mix (kids book)

Hey folks! Ok all my children's book lovers, authors, illustrators, librarians, bk sellers, advocates....come closer. This book is at 202 backers. We need to get it to 250. Doesn't matter if you donate $1 or $500. Let's get this book by a two POC authors made. Not only is it written and illustrated by them, it focuses on gender and what it means-especially for young students preschool to elementary school age. Put this on your networks and follow the page  and 

here is a link to the kickstarter

Author: Lourdes

Illustrator: Breena Nunez

Erica Eng- Aggregate Watches

So this past month I got a chance to work with filmmaker Erica Eng and if I was you I would hire her. Not only does she have experience shooting, but she is a whiz at producing, editing, and overall project management. I got the chance to drive around the crew on this shoot and help out by acting in a few scenes for this commercial/kickstarter. Bookmark her under filmmakers on the west coast. Follow her on vimeo.  And watch the kickstarter video from Aggregate watches for the new product "Masonic" which is a clean watch made with steel and concrete.

The discovery of Ramen- children's bk kickstarter

Please check out this project, share it, and support it anyway you can. My wife did the typography and design for this book and I'm super excited to see this book get made.

Campaigns worth supporting 2017

Umber Magazine Mamacitas Cafe Nations 1968: A Chicago
Film Series

100 portraits-Furqan's First

I started painting children's portraits about two years ago. I was having a conversation with my friend Krea, a fellow parent and vocal activist. I was telling her about my story and she was very supportive saying that I should find a way to connect with more parents to tell them about it. She suggested doing portraits of kids. I'd never really thought of that before but I did one of my son as a test painting of my son and he and I both liked it.

I made a video about it and showed it to folks on the social networks, and immediately parents started asking me to paint their child! I never had an experience that was so fast to connect with parents.

Originally I thought I might do murals in children's rooms (which I still may do), but that proved to be more expensive and time consuming. Take a look at some of my recent portraits and check out this tag for more photos of the process of painting these. Each one is painted by hand from photo references with the child's favorite colors, ethnicity, or nationality in mind.

Thank you to Nikki for being my first parent and for spreading the word, and thank you to all my moms and dads who've helped me get closer to my goal of 100 portraits by commissioning one of your child. There are about 32 portraits now and about 11 people have pledged for new ones, so that leaves about 19 portraits left.

This may be my last or close to last post on the Furqan's First campaign (for now); please share this one with any folks who are looking for a children's portrait as a gift for a grandparent or new parent. They can get the book, a hand-painted portrait of a child, and a few other goodies.

---

Lastly, I've begun the tedious but exciting work of contacting book stores here in the Bay Area and across the US like Marcus Bookstore or Blue Stockings (NYC). I've started with some African American, Latino, and left-leaning stores, and I could use your help with recommendations for your favorite book stores. Some stores I've spoken to actually purchase books through Kickstarter campaigns as well, so if you know of any cultural centers or book stores in your city (anywhere), please ask them to pledge. Let them know there are only 7 days left in the campaign. If they do not purchase books through crowd funding sites, please email me your favorites! I'll contact them shortly afterwards.

 

Thank you all again, and stay tuned.

- Rob ( info@robdontstop.com )

If you are reading this and have not heard, several weeks ago I launched my first children's book through kickstarter. We surpassed our initial goal and are pushing for several cool stretch goals. Visithttp://bit.ly/FurqansFirst to see and share it. Thank You!

Furqan's First-We made it!!

We did it! THANK YOU all so much for being a part of this journey!

It has been amazing to see all the support from family, old friends, and many new friends. I'm excited to share with you this story and to give you sneak peaks as the production progresses over the next few months.

If you know anyone else who would be excited by this project, I've created a few regular and odd "stretch goals". Since we have already reached our initial goal, I've come up with some additional goals, with cool rewards for new and existing backers:

1. Some really cool, colorful, die-cut stickers printed on clear vinyl. The stickers will come in a pack of three or more and will feature concept or final artwork from the book. Get your laptops, skateboards, and sketchbooks ready! If we meet $11,000, this reward will go out to all backers of $25 or more.

2. Get a zine of my short stories! What?! Yes, I'll compile all the short stories I've written and illustrated over the past three years into one zine, including sketches, process shots, journal entries, photography and more. This 7" x 7" book will be 52 pages long, and printed in full color. If we meet the goal of $12,500, this reward and the stickers, will go out to all backers of $25 or more.

3. I'LL GET A FLAT TOP! I've had an afro for about five or six years now. But, I'll go to the barber shop and get a flat top. Really? Yes! I have not had a flat top since 8th grade. That was a long time ago, folks. I'll have the trip filmed so all can see. This reward is for all backers if we meet the goal of $14,000!

Again, thank you all so much for your support, kind words, and encouragement. Please continue to share this with friends and family. Tweet to Oprah, facebook Edward James Olmos! Let's meet the stretch goals! Here is the link: http://bit.ly/FurqansFirst

-Rob Trujillo

PS: Shout out to Bad Girl Confidence for interviewing me. Thanks to UTNE Reader for the upcoming feature. And shout out to Oakland Terminal and Edman Vargas for helping us cross the finish line!