10 Years of Revision Path!!!!

 

Ey, we gotta give big props and credit to Maurice Cherry who has spent the last decade researching, contacting, featuring, interviewing Black designers and artists. I started listening to the show off and on when my friend Qa'id Jacobs was a featured guest(2016). I knew Qa'id from Brooklyn and was astonished at the time to see a podcast dedicated to Black artists and designers like this. It did NOT exist back then. But folks Like Andrea Pippins, John Jennings, Kimberly Bryant, Goldi Gold, Craig Brimm, Gabriele Smith, and Dawn Okoro were working HARD even back then.

If you're interested in architecture, graphic design, illustration, UI UX, etc go to the website and listen to some of these episodes. LINK

Listen to this episode about the history of Revision Path where he breaks down some of the hardships he's faced over the years and some of the triumphs. Thank god he has kept it going! 

Thank you Maurice!!! Who himself is a great designer. This is his company.

Dig this? Check out Black Work Talk podcast or these Business Podcasts

LLAG Radio - Art Nelson Concordia interview

 

video link

This is a really great interview with educator, activist, and dad Art Concordia Nelson about his work in Ethnic Studies. He has been a teacher in schools for over 20 years, was instrumental to the fight for ethnic studies in San Francisco public schools, Ethnic Studies as a requirement for all California high schoolers, and is now working on a program in Santa Barbara.

Some of my favorite topics he brought up in this video are:

• Ethnic Studies going from the margins to the center and the attacks that come with that
• Why Ethnic Studies and Critical Race Theory are under scrutiny and threat
• How race was invented to divide people
• The path of inquiry to understand systems
• The experience of working with young people and the responses or questions they have
• Anti Oppression/ Anti Racism
• Sorting neighborhoods into workers, managers, and owners

There were more gems but heres a good quote: "Ethnic Studies is history from the perspective of racialized communities of color"

Dig this? Check out my last Ethnic Studies in Every School painting and the Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies

Earn Your Leisure - Police Brutality, taxpayers, insurance companies

 

video link

Follow the money. There's more to it than just racial hatred, and historic oppression even though that is the factual root of policing in the United States. Here, the good brothers over at Earn Your Leisure break down how insurance companies are making bank off of police brutality cases through cities such as Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Chicago. 

Video link

Here in this video they go into further detail about some of the major banks and corporations profit off of police brutality and how cities ear mark or set aside a certain amount of $$$ YEARLY for police murders, brutality, and settlements. Peep this article how corporations financially support cop unions.

Dig this? Heres a portrait of Huey P Newton (co-founder of the Black Panther Party), Brutality over the years

Feel Good Hour w/ Farbeon

Yo, i'm excited to be a guest on the "Feel Good Happy Hour" w/ my bro Farbeon (MC/DJ/Educator). I'll be on next week on Friday Feb 10th. My dude hosts this show where he interviews artists, musicians, and educators about what they do, music they like, and what makes them feel good.

TUNE IN: On Bonfire Radio to hear it

Stream it here:  

Dig this? Check out this episode of Rightnowish

Teach the Children the Truth (podcast) -Marisa Villegas

 

Juiced to share this podcast by ethnic studies teacher and professor Marisa Villegas. 

"Ms V" as I call her taught my son when he was a student in the Oakland Unified School District at a bilingual school in East Oakland. She has been teaching for decades and like me is a Berkeley High school grad. In this show she gets into her story as a teacher, her tactics for teaching, and I'm excited to hear more. Listen to the introduction to the podcast and share with ethnic studies teachers. If you follow me you know I ride for this.

Dig this? Check out my last Inspiration board and my latest Ethnic Studies painting

Elisa "Sol" Garcia - Hear in LA podcast

 

Much props and respect to Elisa "Sol" Garcia who is an awesome book seller from LA. She operated her own bookstore called Imix Books which curated a huge list of books by and about people of color. When my book Furqan's First Flat Top came out she was the first bookseller in LA to carry it and I have never forgotten that. 

 

Link to podcast episode w/ transcript and photos!

Here is a podcast called Hear in LA which did a lovely interview with her where she talks about her long history of being a bookseller (26 years!!!),  best sellers, the summer of 2020, Morrissey, the whole American Dirt fiasco, Eso Won Books, and Skylight Books where she currently works. 

Something she did not mention on the podcast is that she owned and operated her own bookstore and community space-Imix Books back in the day, which sadly closed. 

She's also a selector/DJ on the radio show known as Lady Imix with DJ Phatrick on "Heartbreak radio" and on shows like "Word to your mama" and "Heat Rocks" !

Dig this? Check out The Stoop podcast

Inspiration board 42

 

Yall, it gives me so much pleasure to share some of the things I'm seeing, hearing, feeling, reading, learning from, and getting inspired by. PLEASE check out some of these people, things, etc and get inspired!!! Here are they are left to right, top to bottom.

1. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh (graphic novel) Witches, Queer identity, etc

2. Eve Ewing (Author/Educator) writes about super heroes, school closures, and science

3. Vamos! by Raul the Third (Picture book) Bilingual literacy, Latinx, kids lit

4. A Tradition of Violence by Cerise Castle (podcast) LA Sheriff gangs, journalism, police brutality

5. Sebastian Mikael's new EP Phileo (Soul Music) Soul, hip hop

6. Pinocchio by Guillermo Del Toro (Animated film) stop motion, 

7. Alvin Irby founder of Barbershop Books (Interview) activism, literacy, black boys

8. I am the Subway by Kim Hyo Eun (Picture book) train, humanity, working class

9. Nala Sinephro's album Space 1.8 (Jazz music) jazz, experimental jazz, harp

10. Abel Cruz's fog nets (Water) BBC, World hacks, water crisis, fog nets, peru

11. Sibylline Meynet (Artist) illustration, gouache, artist

12. Afu Chan's Outer Darkness (Artist) comics, illustration

13. Ovarian Psycos (Documentary) cycling, women's rights, trauma, women

14. Noni Sessions (Activist) East Bay Permanent Real Estate Coop, coop's, land, activism

15. Coop Conversations (Podcast) Cooperative housing, podcasts, coop's, alternative housing

16. Teach the Children the Truth by Marisa Villegas (Podcast) Ethnic studies, Raza Studies, education

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

Inspiration board 41

Inspiration board 40

 

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

"Alvin Irby" Interview w/ Lurie Daniel Favors Show

I remember hearing about Alvin Irby many years ago and loving his mission for Barbershop Books because he's passionate about reading and you could tell he cares. In this episode of Lurie Daniels Favors radio show she interviews him about how he started, what drove him, and what advice he has for making readers out of your kids. 

Link to LISTEN

If you haven't already check out Barbershop Books!!

Dig this? Check out these lists of Bipoc owned bookstores Black owned, Latinx owned, and Asian American owned.

Black Work Talk Podcast- Chicago Teacher's Strike

"The function of schools for those who are in power is never to liberate those who attend them" -Stacey Davis Gates

This podcast is about the historic teachers strike in Chicago, the racial politics of school closures in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, the privatization of education, and organizing.  And it immediately makes me think of school closures here in Oakland California, and in cities like New Orleans which were taken advantage of after hurricane Katrina.

LINK TO LISTEN

Stacey Davis Gates: 

Stacy Davis Gates is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union and the executive vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Before her election as president in 2022, Davis Gates had served as vice president and as political and legislative director. In the Fall 2019, she helped to lead a 15-day strike and to negotiate an historic contract that provides for smaller class sizes, ensures a nurse and social worker in every Chicago public school, secures sanctuary protections for immigrant families, and supports students and families experiencing homelessness. In 2017, Ms. Davis Gates was elected Chair of United Working Families, an independent political organization by and for working-class people and our movements. She also serves as a board member for the Action Center on Race & the Economy (ACRE). Currently she is on leave from teaching high school social studies, which she did for more than a decade.

If you dig this check out the art from the Oakland Teacher's Strike

Rightnowish! - Podcast interview

 

Yooo,  I'm a guest on "Rightnowish" a podcast/ radio show with Pendarvis Harshaw on KQED!! Been listening since it came out in 2019 and have loved listening to interviews with mc/writer Rocky Rivera, MC/Historian Dregs One, Futbolista/Medicine woman Dania Cabello, Muralist Timothy B, Artist/Curator Ashara Ekundayo, Designer/publisher Mike Nicholls, Cartoonist Breena Nuñez,  muralist Josue Rojas and his Mama, and series pieces like this summer's "Searching for a Kiki" with Corey Antonio Rose who lovingly shares Queer Black history.

Rightnowish seeks out a broad array of folks in music, film, activism, organizing, performing and visual arts. He gets in depth with each guest and topic in a very short segment that is so sincere, clear, and inspiring. Not since "Home Turf" , "Distortion to Static", or "Hard Knock Radio" have I heard such a wealth of folks who are talented but underrated by mainstream media be highlighted. That's actually how I found Pen, through his doc on Mike "Dream" Francisco.

But, what's even better is that the team of host/journalist Pendarvis Harshaw with producer Marisol Medina Cadena and editor Jessica Placzeck make the process and final product PROFESSIONAL. When you listen you know who the episode is about. And you can hear it clear and concisely. Not all podcasts do that! And when I think about how they condensed our hour long convo to this short but meaningful piece; I'm awed. Subscribe to this show, share it, donate to KQED, and follow the team!

LISTEN TO MY EPISODE: HERE

If you'd like to hear another interview or see some press I've gotten please visit this page

Inspiration board 41

 

Ok, here's some recently inspiring stuff. Left to right, top to bottom. I make this as much to share with you as I make as a reminder to myself:

1. The illustration of Maike Plenzke

2. Taking Children by Laura Briggs-non fiction book

3. Esperanza Spalding- Songrights Apothecary and her recent albums

4. Jerome Masi - Artist/Illustrator

5. Brown Ambition Podcast-Financial literacy

6. The Cot in the Living Room- Picture bk about community/mutual aid

7. Light & Magic- ILM documentary series (special FX)

8. Art of Ami Thompson

9.Wendell & Wild-upcoming stop motion film (Peele/ Selick)

10. Art of Derek Laufman

11. New Kid- Graphic novel by Jerry Craft

12. Stuart NG Bookstore- specializes in "Art books"

13. Art of Leo Espinosa-illustration

14. Danger Mouse x Black Thought- Because

15. Squid Game TV Series

16. Art of Chris Sickels/Red Nose Studios

Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

Inspiration board 40

Inspiration board 39 

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

Self Evident Podcast - Artwork

Yo, did some artwork for this awesome podcast! If you haven't listened to it yet please check out the "Self Evident Podcast". Especially this episode about fruit which is a love language in Asian families.

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: Rise Home Stories Project

 

Rise Home Stories Project is a cohort of 5 projects (Video Game, Animated series, Podcast, Kids bk, Interactive game) including my book "Alejandria Fights Back" is one of them. The project was funded by the ford Foundation and involves several partnerships such as my book's partnership with Feminist Press. Check out the video!

If you missed my post about Alejandria Fights Back please check it out here.

Inspiration board 38

 

Peace fam, 

hope you're all hanging in there ok. If you're in a rut, or can't find creative inspiration, I hope this will help. 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. 

All people, items in the board top to bottom, left to right:

1. Action film: Old Guard w/ Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne 2. Music: The Workout 2 by Stic Man (Dead Prez) 3. Art: Illustration by Olivia Fields (Tncts) 4. Music: Soul artist Sebastian Mikael 5. Music: MC Gavlyn 6. Books: Umber magazine POC focused 7. Art: Marcel Moshki character designs 8. Music: Untitled (Rise) album by Sault 9. Music: MC Nayana IZ 10. Art: Plein Air ptg by Angela Sung 11. Books: The Will to Change by Bell Hooks 12. Film: Inner Workings by Leo Matsuda 13. Books: Waxpoetics Magazine Music focused 14. Activism: APTP-Anti Police Terror Project (support for people in crisis vs police) 15. Radio: Right Nowish podcast by Pendarvis Harshaw 16. Art: Illustration by Radhia Rahman

Please check out and support the folks mentioned in them. Hopefully some of them will inspire you too. Scroll down below to see the previous board. Feel free to share.

Inspiration board 37 (Jan 2021)

Inspiration board 36 (Aug 2020)

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

Podcast: Etsy Conversations Interview!

 

Hey fam, I'm juiced to share that I'm a featured guest on Ijeoma Eleazu's wonderful podcast "Etsy Conversations"!! Yawl, she has over 300 episodes of game and I have definitely learned from the many sellers on her show about what has worked for them. Case in point the episode about digital goods from Paper Sphinx and the episode about what content marketing is from Chi Odogwu.

Tune in on youtube, whichever podcast app you use, or check out her site and see all her links.

Did you catch the interview I did with YBCA?

Podcast w/ Afriware owner Nzingha Nommo

PLM presents an Interludes interview with the owner of AfriWare Books, Nzingha Nommo, Black bookstores like AfriWare Books, especially need our support to survive in a post Covid-19 world. Download the current podcast now!
https://buff.ly/3s0rer9

Afriware is one of the first stores to carry my picture book Furqan's First. So lovely to hear this interview with the owner out there in Chicago!

Octavia's Parables Podcast

 

Y'all!! I LOVE THIS SHOW! I started listening last year and quickly had to listen to every single episode. Of course its easy because I love Octavia Butler's books and I especially love the Parable Series. But the hosts also make it really fun and relevant to today with questions and discussions that I find incredible. Support the show be listening for free on stitcher, spotify, apple, etc. And if you love it as much as I do become a patron on Patreon: Patreon.com/oparables

Toshi Reagon did a theater play about the book and made some incredible music based on the books. And Adrienne Maree Brown edited a book called Octavias Brood-a sci fi anthology.

This has inspired me to not only go back and re read the book, but to make some more art about it. These  are drawings I made in the past of Octavia:

2012-Ink

2017-Black History Month

Podcast - Business of Hype w/ Patta

Yo, if you are a small business owner and creative this podcast is really worth listening to. Doesn't matter if you're knee deep in the game or a newbie, there is game to learned here. So many of these i've listened to. Patta, Melody Ehsani, The owners of ALife, Roy Choi, Asa Akira, James Jean, Mister Cartoon, and so many more.

Podcast w/ Jill Guerra - Yoga & Mindfullness teacher

I've been working with author Jill Guerra-Burger for awhile and it was really great to hear her describe what its like to be a full time yoga and mindfulness teacher in public schools. This is something I hope more schools will implement in the future. Besides teaching Jill is also and author. Check out her book here: The Love Curriculum