Character 170 - Sensei Fatima

 

Did a symmetry sketch of this young lady a few weeks back and decided to redraw her in photoshop. She reminds me of a young Lady Sensei. Anyway, fun.

Dig this? Check out my "Collage of Characters 2020-2022"

Throwback- Characters from The Last Dragon

 

Yo, if you're a fan of 80s films check out this trio of characters from the classic 80s cult film The Last Dragon.

Trailer link

The film was released in 1985 and featured Taimak, Vanity (rip), Julus Carry (rip), Mike Starr, and a young Ernie Reyes Jr!The director Michael Schultz also made Colley High, Car Wash, and Crush Groove! And the brother is still working today.  Sadly we lost both Vanity and Julius who played Sho Nuff, but even three decades after its release folks like me still love this film produced by Barry Gordy and written by Louis Venosta.

Back in 2016 I painted sho Nuff from the film:

And this year I decided to paint both Laura Charles (played by Vanity) 

and Bruce Leroy from the film.

Check out this time lapse video of me painting Bruce Leroy using ink and watercolor.

Video link

If you like my character work please check out some collages of characters I've made in the past:

2020-2022 collage LINK

 2020-2018 Character collage
2018-2017 Character collage

and here is a portfolio of my illustration work Robdontstop.com

Character 164 - Bruce Leroy (Last Dragon)

 

Video link

Ok switching it up again with a time lapse video of this one. This right here is Bruce Leroy, or my version of the actor Taimak from the great 80s film "The Last Dragon". As I stated in the previous post w/ Ms Laura Charles I loved the film as a kid and still love it today even w/ its campy or corny parts. 

If you dig this, check out this one of Laura Charles aka Vanity (RIP). 

Did you see my last collage of characters? Here it is.

Black Is Beautiful 2021 - Grand Master Tony Watts

 

Tony Duane Watts was born and raised in White Plains NY. Raised in a single parent household he w/ the guidance of an uncle who was a black belt he began studying martial arts at at a young age. One of the early forms was Karate and then he moved on to Kung Fu. Because he grew up without his father he has said his Sifu's (teachers) in martial arts were like his fathers. Grand Master Watts, Sifu, Moy Wu (honorable son) has been studying martial arts for over 50 years and teaching for over 40 of those years. He has degrees in Karate, JuJitsu, Aikido, Gung Fu, Sanucs Ryu, Wing Chun, boxing and he served in the US military. With many of these arts he has high ranking degrees, and he has the 10th level (Qi-Gong) in Gung Fu. Beyond teaching martial arts (all over the world in White Plains) Master Watts has been an active member of his local community mentoring young people away from senseless violence and drugs. He is a father to 9 children, and 7 grand children. 

I found a video of Master Watts while researching another martial artist years ago and could feel that he takes his art form seriously and is very disciplined and principled. More over, you can tell he has respect for his teachers, honor, and he carries on traditions that were developed over 400 years ago. He is not just a student, but a disciple. 

Sources: Black Taoist, Total Wing Chun, West COPNY

Did you see the painting of martial artist Steve Muhammad?

The last painting before this one in 2021 is Denise Oliver-Velez

Original photo ref: Nay Marie

Black is Beautiful 2020 - Linda Denley

This is Grandmaster Linda Denley an outstanding martial artist with a 10th degree black belt in Karate and a 4th degree in Tae Kwon do. Originally from Houston she is known as the Texas Terror and has over 35 martial arts competitive titles under her belt. Known as a hard hitter and fierce competitor she has won competitions at the Long Beach International, the US Open, the US Capital Classic, and the Diamond National. She won the battle of Atlanta Karate competition 11 times in a row and was a top ranked female fighter from 1973 to 1996! She has starred in action films as well and has operated her own martial arts school (The Texas Black Belt Academy) for 45 years. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Black Belt Magazine hall of fame and her high school has a yearly Linda Denley day. Much respect to this great fighter who is still training and teaching today in Houston!

Sources: Sport Karate Museum, USA Dojo, Imdb, Naska Hall of Fame

Want to see more? Check out:

Steve Muhammad - Martial Artist

Ann Wolfe- Boxer

Inspiration board 31

Hey sometimes its podcasts, sometimes its a person i met. This is my 3-4 times per year collage of inspiring things and people. Some you'll recognize right off the bat. Some, I hope will be new to you. These things keep me inspired to keep creating.

From top to bottom, left to right: 1. Thee Lakesiders-oldies LA Soul group, 2.The Etherington Brothers-great storytellers 3. Klassy-LA Rapper/Mama 4. Andrea Smith-illustrator w/ amazing vendor set up 5. SF Etsy Holiday Emporium-inspiring to experience indy power 6. San Nukas-A portrait of Moses Powell 7. Quackers-Liz Wong Picture book 8. Spider Verse-dope film 9. My daughter's arrival this year has been amazing and awe inspiring 10. Teymori-house producer/musician 11. Stephanie Bueno-Lowrider/Photographer 12. Diedra & Laney-great film 13. Captain Fantastic-incredible film 14. Greywater systems for homes 15. Art of James Turell 16. We Out Here- British Jazz LP

There are so many more, but I'll have to save them til the next time. In the meantime, keep creating and check out some of these creative folks/endeavors. To see previous boards follow the tag on this blog: inspiring stuff. For example, here is board 30 and 29

You can purchase my book "Art of Rob" here

Dr Moses Powell (Musa Muhammad) - Inspiring Martial Artist

Super inspired by Moses Powell the minute I saw him moving and throwing people. It was not just his ability to manipulate the body that drew me in, it was the way he spoke and the fact that he looks like he could be one of my uncles. Watch! There should definitely be a film about his life story!

Black is Beautiful (2018) 4 - Master Ron Van Clief

Ron is a world renowned martial artist from New York. He began training at 15 yrs old w/ Moses Powell (Jui Jitsu), and would go on to train with many other forms including wing chin w/ Leung Ting. Ron competed until the age of 65 and was 5x world champion winner participating in at least 900 tournaments. He was a marine who faced extreme racism. He moved to Hong Kong and became the first African American to star in martial arts films there. Internationally Ban Clief was in 100 films, he earned a phd in theology, developed a style called Chinese Goju, and he trained other such as Taimak (Last Dragon). He still trains today and was one of the oldest fighters to compete in the UFC. 

You can purchase a print for $20 (includes shipping) , email at info@robdontstop.com 

Sources: JetLi.com, UCCN tv, The Black Kung Fu Experience

Who is She? 25- Lady Sensei

Lady Sensei is a black belt in ninjutsu and has earned several other ranks in weapons and self defense training. She has been studying martial arts for 10 years and started training as a student of the great Ronald Duncan. In addition to her martial arts training, she is a licensed firearm carrier and shooter. And she has skills in de-escalation of conflicts. She teaches and is still training in martial arts. She is one of the highest ranked women in martial arts today.

Dig this? Check out Master Watts

Sources: Ladysensei.com, ancientfuturecollective.com

Who is She? 24- Sara Khoshjamal-Fekri

Born in 1988 in Rudbar, Gilan- Iran. Khoshjamal-Fekri is an olympic winning Taekwondo fighter. She has fought in Germany, China, Thailand, Korea, England, Iran, and many more places. She started competing in 2006 at the age of 18 and has won several bouts. But more interesting and important, she is the first Iranian woman to qualify and represent Iran in Taekwondo.

I started this series of illustrations for Women's history month last year and plan to continue doing them for this year 2017. I invite any of you (artist or not) to join me in celebrating women from all walks of life, religions, genders, and nationalities. In light of the current climate of prejudice, racism, sexism, and more against Middle Eastern and African folks, Muslims, and women I would like to start off the month with some fighters to highlight their achievements and to promote self defense and "take no shit" attitude from anyone no matter who they are or what office they occupy attitude. Keep fighting back. Kick ass! Celebrating women of the past and present. Tag or mention someone who is a fighter (w/words, fists, paint brushes, etc)

Dig this? Check out Lady Sensei

Sources: Wikipedia, taekwondodata.com,

Black History Month Illustrations from 2016

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973)- A Rock and Roll pioneer, she was one of the architects of what today is now known as Rock in its many forms. She was a pioneer in her life, music, beliefs, and her relationships being a bi-sexual woman in her day. Her style was fierce, loud, and extremely soulful.

Dr. Moses "Musa" Powell (1941-2005)- A martial arts master teacher and practitioner from New York. Moses Powell was a master student to , he was so skilled at Juijitsu that he developed his own style and system called Sanuces Ryu and he still ha students such as Anthony Muhammad teaching today. Moses was a teacher to the Nation of Islam, law enforcement, and even the FBI.

Oddisee (born 1985). Amir Mohamed is a Sudanese American musicians who both rhymes and produces instrumental music. The basis for his work is hip hop, but it expands to other genre's such as Jazz, Soul, and house. I first became aware of the brother on a visit to DC back in 2008 and have been a fan of him and Diamond District since. His work is extremely skillful, well crafted and thought-out, and balanced with thought and care-free. I think many my age would agree that he is one of most talented to do it. On constant rotation. Support him now by seeing him perform or buying his new LP.

Dawud Anyabwile (born 1965)- Illustrator and co-creator of the Brotherman Comics stories, I first became aware of his work as a teen, and later became rejuvenated by it as a young adult. I have written about this brother in magazines, and social forums because his outlook and approach to life, his views on Black family, and his stunning artistic abilities are a guiding light daily. Go support this living legend now by getting "Brotherman-Revelations" for your kids.

Octavia Butler (1947-2006)- Octavia was in incredible mind. An incredible writer, and a predictor of future. My mom read her work and introduced me to her 15-20 years ago. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I actually read and understood her work. In fact, she is the reason why I now love to read and share books with others. Her work in fantasy and science fiction has inspired so many with her talent for describing, telling, and bringing you in. I beg you, read her work and check out Octavia's Brood-an anthology of writers inspired by her work.

Ava DuVernay (Born 1972). I know most of you know Ava so I don't need to do the whole bio. But I'll say that I became aware of her work when she released a little documentary called "This is the Life" about a L.A. hip hop scene that produced some of my favorite MC's. And imagine how stunned I was when I realized I'd been listening to Ava rhyme on Project Blowed and didnt even know it was her. This is the 3rd time I've drawn or painted Ava. Yes. Go watch her latest film "The 13th" about prison industrial complex and its relation to slavery.

These are a few illustrations from last year that were commissioned by a Bay Area Tech company last year for Black History/Future month. There are more, but these were my favorite. If you would like to purchase a print of any one of these email me at info@robdontstop.com 8"x11" mixed media on paper.

Inktober 12 - Idalys Ortiz

Idalys Ortiz is an Afro Cuban Judo practitioner who has not only competed all over the world, but has either won or placed in over 20 championship matches including the Rio, Beijing, and London Olympics. She was 18 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is one of the youngest fighters to win.

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

Character 107-Sho-Nuff (Last Dragon)

Am I the prettiest?! Sho-Nuff! Do you remember this character? The actor that played him was Julius Carry the third. He died in 2008 unfortunately, but not before a long and extensive career acting in film and tv. The film is one of my all time favorites. The fact that I got to see a black protagonist who was into martial arts as a kid was pretty awesome. So were all the characters. But i especially loved Sho-Nuff!!

Cop a print of this image! HERE

Who is She? 3 - Keiko Fukuda

Mrs Judo as they called her lived from 1913 to 2013. She was born and raised in Japan and came to the US in 1966 establishing her own dojo in San Francisco. She began her study in martial arts at the age of 21 and had over 70 years experience as a practitioner and then teacher of Judo. She was the highest ranking woman in Judo history (10th degree blackbelt). She was the last living student of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. As a martial artist, and as an unmarried woman she faced much struggle, sexism, and strife from traditionalists. But through it all she lead the life that she wanted to live and taught many many people. She started Keiko Fukuda Joshi Judo Camp the first Judo camp dedicated to women.

Source: http://keikofukudajudofoundation.org/

Dig this? Check out Sara Khoshjamal Fekri (Taekwondo)

Steve Muhammad-Black is Beautiful 6

It was recently after showing my uncle a documentary about black folks in martial arts that I came across Steve (Sijo Sabir Muhammad) ). Steve is an incredible martial artists with many years of experience under his belt.  He was taught by Ed Parker, and has himself trained hundreds of students. He is a 10th degree black belt in Karate Kenpo and he is the founder of BKF-the Black Karate Federation, which he started because of racism in the competition circuit and magazine publishers of martial arts. He was a good friend of Bruce Lee's, and if you saw "Enter the Dragon" there is a scene where Jones visits an all black karate school where Steve was the head instructor. Steve also trained many brothers as part of the Nation of Islam's security and suprisingly was an LAPD police officer before joining the nation.  And he also served as Wesley Snipes' bodyguard at one point. Steve is still practicing and teaching today, much respect to you brother. You can visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/steve.muhammad.9

Dig this? Check out this piece of Grand Master Watts or Linda Denley