Ashley T Visual - Beats!!

 

Video

Just got hip to this producer via YouTube and love the beats she makes. Lots of different styes from this multidisciplinary artist. Her first EP is up on Bandcamp and you can follow her channel here.

Dig this? Check out the last post I made about JAZZ i'm listening to.

Giant Robot Documentary

 

VIDEO 

This is pretty cool. Giant Robot was one of those cool indy magazines exploring a side of Asian American life completely ignored in most other publications. I saw them sparsely as a young artist but hella appreciate the work the co-founders did to shine a light on AAPI creators and the many subcultures they are a part of. The Giant Robot store on Sawtelle in Japantown was one of the first shops to carry Furqan's First Flat Top in LA. What started as a zine became a movement.

Watch the whole episode on them here.

Did you like this? Check out my last inspiration board and this piece I did for Hyphen Magazine

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

1500 in sales= 30% discount from my shop

 

Juiced-My shop just crossed the #1500 mark in sales and I want to offer a thank you to all of you who have supported me. Along with many hustles, I survive with sales from this shop so I appreciate you if you've purchased anything from me in the past. If you've never gotten anything but wanted to, now's your chance. From now until this Friday (January 20th) use the code "GREATEST3" to get 30% off from my shop. 

Here's my shop link: GO 

Dig this post? Check out this one where I talk about how I made it to 1000 sales. When I get to 2000 sales I'm going to make a video about elaborating on how I got this far.

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

Stuff I've Been Listening to 23 - More Jazz

 

Nala Sinephro-space 4 (2021)

I've made a post about Jazz before but its high time for this new one featuring some musicians new and old. Straight ahead, fusion, funk, experimental, and a few things in between. Like Nala for example. I LOVE this track from her Space 1.8 album. She's a harp player who gets it. This one features Nubya Garcia!

R+R=Now - Change of Tone (2018)

This is a super group w/ Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Christian aTunde Adjuah, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson

Bobbi Humphrey- Set me at ease (1975)

OG Bobbi Humphrey on the flute and featuring the Mizell's and Dorothy Ashby

James Mason- Rhythm of life (1977)

Found this joint via Egon and man it grooves!

Esperanza Spalding - Formwela 3 (2021) 

Been following since the myspace days and love how she continues to play and grow

Lonnie Liston Smith-Bridge through time (1980)

You know, Lonnie has so many incredible jams. First heard this through The Conscious Daughters

What is this? This series is called "Stuff I've been listening to" and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I'm always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Emma Jean Thackray-Rain dance/wisdom (2020)

I love how Emma Jean mixes jazz with electronic, house, funk, and hip hop. Shout out to the UK jazz scene!

Horace Silver-I've had a little talk (1972)

Song for my father is one of my all time favorites but when I heard Osunlade play thisssss?!

Destiny Muhammad Trio- Blue in Green (2022)

Destiny is an ILL harpist and vocalist from the Bay Area! Dig how she plays Miles and her own!!

Alfa Mist - Galaxy (2020)

Alfa Mist is an incredible UK producer and piano player, peep this remake of Eddie Henderson's classic

Madison Mcferrin- No time to lose (2017)

Madison is the next in line after Taylor and Bobby to show and prove. She can compose, produce, and sing!!

Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I've been listening to 22: Instrumentals

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff Ive been listening to 20: Remixes

Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you're not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations.

Takuya Kuroda- Do they know (2016) 

I came across Takuya through vocalist Jose James and always dug this track

Amel Larrieux - Try your wings (2007)

Love Amel since Groove Thory, since Infinite Possibilities, Bravebird, Morning. Peep this remake of the Blossom Dearie song from 1958

Yussef Kamaal- Live at Brownswood studio (2016) Individually these cats are amazing but their joint album "Black focus" is incredible.

Agggh, there's so many great jazz records. Some you might of slept on or never heard of are artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Kokoroko, Yazmin Lacey, Melissa Aldama, Grover Washington, or Butcher Brown. I wanna give a special shout out to this legend though.

Roy Hargove - Poetry (2003)

This was the first album that really got me hearing how dope Roy was, then I started to see his name with so many other great artists. Rest In peace brother Roy! Stay tuned for the next "Stuff I've been listening to" and drop a comment if there's someone you recommend!

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

Art of Rob - is now in 7 bookstores!

 

Feliz Año nuevo. Juiced to tell you that "Art of Rob" is making its way into more brick and mortar community based independent bookstores in the US. I love sharing information about bookstores because they are little cultural hubs for reading, art, politics, sometimes food, dating :), learning, and reading of course. If you can please go support these book and art galleries, you're guaranteed to find something unique.

1. Modern Mouse - Alameda California 2223 S Shore Center, Alameda, CA 94501

https://modernmousegifts.com/

 This gift store/ art gallery houses some of the coolest books, art prints, t-shirts, stickers, candles, toys, jewelry, and more in the East Bay. I'm not sure when it was founded but Matt and Mynt took over the company in 2017 and they are Queer and Woman of color owned. Check them out!

2. Push/Pull- Seattle Washington 2000 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

https://www.pushpullseattle.com/

Push & Pull is a cool independent bookstore located in the northwest side of Seattle right in between Adams and WestWoodland. They are go to spot for independent comix, books, gifts, and art. Not only that but they publish folks and host regular events. If you were at the Short Run Fest you might have seen their table. Go support them!

3. E14 - Oakland California 461 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607

https://www.e14gallery.com/

E14 has been rocking with me since Furqan's First Flat Top debuted. They are a project and offshoot of the EastSide Arts Cultural center in East Oakland and they featured clothing, jewelry, art, toys, and books. Every year they host an array of local talent through gallery shows and vendor events. Go check them out. Brown and Black owned!

4. Skylight Books - Los Angeles California  1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
https://www.skylightbooks.com/

Skylight is a cool independent bookstore located in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles. They have a huge selection of books. They host author readings and feature independent creators such as myself. They host a lot of cool book events, have a podcast, and feature banned books! Check them out.

What is "Art of Rob"? Its my 130 page art book featuring character designs, paintings, sketches, tutorials, and more for the burgeoning young artists!

Note: If you have not received your book in the mail from the kickstarter or you believe it got lost in the mail please message me here or email me at info@robdontstop.com If you'd like to purchase a copy directly from me you can using this LINK. 

Did you see the first three bookstores to carry the book? Here's a LINK to that post featuring The Multicultural Children's Bookstore, Marcus Books, and Pegasus Books

Inspiring Artist- Victoria Ying

 

Victoria Ying is an incredible artist and author from the LA area who I came across when she was working at Disney many years ago. I remember seeing a project she lead called "Extra Curricular Activities". Then I saw her in the "Lovely" book with women working in animation. I have been a big fan ever since and I loved her books "City of Secrets" and "Meow". Check out some of her beautiful paintings and drawings.

Yo, if you're new: This is where I share artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times indirectly. Do yourself a favor and check out Victoria's site here. There you can catch some of the amazing books she's created such as "City of Secrets" and hear some interviews such as this one where she talks about her process for creating her graphic novel.

If you missed the last inspiring artist I posted, check out Ami Thompson or Elizabeth Catlett's work! And if you're still looking for more inspiration peep inspiration board 41 I made because everybody gets stuck. 

PS: Victoria teaches!! You can take a class she teaches on visual development here :)

Character 166 - Picture me cruisin

 

Here's a new self portrait for the new year. I pictured myself cruisin in a futuristic go-kart! One that hovers. Happy new year to you and yours. Trying to keep rollin with the changes. Every few years I do a new one to keep my website, blog, etc fresh. You'll see this new image on all the tings.

Dig this? Here's a previous self portrait I did in 2019 . Here's another one from 2015.

A few close ups...

The previous character before this was Mama Peng