My Inktober favs 2013-2018

Yo! I started doing Inktober back in 2013 and i'm taking a break this year. But I wanted to do two things, share some of my favorites from the past and some artists who've been inspiring to me to watch during the month. Inktober really helped me stretch out with social justice, Latinx, and character design themes. And it has lead to me doing Black, Asian American, Women and Latinx history/heritage month drawings. And it is a reason to keep practicing. 

No matter how good or bad you think you are, you can improve. Often, I don't love 80% of the drawings and art that I do because I am self critical, but once I do put work out there I feel good about just making art. You can see all of the Inktober drawings I've ever posted here and some of my favorites are in this grid and listed below.

Ok top to bottom, left to right (click on each to learn more about them)

1. Fannie Lou Hamer 2014

2. Abstract being 2013

3. Ava DuVernay 2015

4. Black Hair 2015

5. Brown Berets 2018

6. Idalys Ortiz 2016

7. Walkman & Gi 2018

8. The Green Turtle 2015

9. 80 Days No Justice 2014

Here are some artists who've been inspiring to watch during the month of the years:

Melanie Cervantes

CreatureBox

Dani Diez

Weshoyot Alvitre

Marcus Williams

Avy jetter/Electric Storm

Sanford Greene

And of course Jake Parker the creator of this art challenge.

If you're interested in trying it out, here are the rules and a good realistic piece of advice.

Keep creating!

If you have questions for me about materials I used or subject matter let me know here or via email at info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 2017 drawings + past

Inktober is done! Didn't make it to 31, but def worked out the ink muscle. This year and last year I focused on indigenous folks from North and South America, and the Carribean. If you like, you can purchase the originals , each one for $60. Or if u prefer a print, lemme know $20. Free shipping. Peep the link in my bio for more originals. My email is info@robdontstop.com . Since some of the drawings touch on a person or group involved in social justice , I would gladly make a donation to a suggested organization or cause. Thx everyone for participating. 1 Love. 

You can also see all my previous inktober drawings from last year, and the year before HERE

Here are some of the tools I used to do my inktober this year.

Inktober 2018

So, anyone doing inktober this year? If you're not hip, its an art challenge to stretch out your ink (marker, brush, pen) skills and although there are art prompts officially you can do your own theme: political, women, activists, musicians, typography, etc. Here are some from last year. My focus was Latinxs/Hispanics/Raza/ Indigenous folks and some political issues. You can see my past drawings of POC, Characters, etc here http://investigateconversateillustrate.blogspot.com/search… AND if you want the official 2018 prompt go here: https://inktober.com/rules/

Inktober 1- Richie & Bob (La Bamba)

I'm not sure if you are aware of Inktober. It was started by a dude named Jake Parker, who I found via the Flight Anthology by Kazu Kibuishi. I started participating in Inktober in 2013 and its a great way to improve my skills as an artist. You could easily just use paint, spray paint, whatever. It is basically committing to practice like folks who meditate daily. Now, these characters "Richie and Bob" are my versions of two actors from the film La Bamba played by Esai Morales and Lou Diamond Phillips in the 80's. The film is still one of my favorites and I hope you watch it if you haven't seen it. It is about the life of Rock and Roll musician Ricardo Valenzuela or Ricky Valens (name change is a whole other story)

Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
 Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 6-Fannie Lou Hamer

Listen to what Ms Fannie Lou Hamer had to say here. For those not hip, Fannie LOU Hamer was one of the most gangster activists and voting rights advocates on the planet who was threatened and beaten just for registering Black folks in the South to vote so they could have equal representatives in the making of laws and policy which governed their lives. She was a G! I drew this for Inktober in 2014.

If you dig this check out: Olive Morris (uk) or some of my other fav inktober drawings

Inktober 9-Iguala

Who has disappeared 43 students and why?

Update on this case: Collusion between the Mexican Army, Cartels, and local Police. 

Dig this? Check out this Inktober drawing of "Brown Berets"

Inktober 6-Gina Prince Bythewood

One of the most incredible things about this series is that I get to share art and other peoples art with you. I'm having fun drawing Inktober drawings and I wanted to draw Gina who is a phenomenal filmmaker. She has been working in the industry for well over two decades as a writer on TV shows such as "A Different World" and as a writer/director. One of the ongoing themes of her films has been perseverance and love. In her films the characters go through trials and tribulations but come out stronger on the other side. Some of my favorite films by her are Love and Basketball, Disappearing Acts, and now Beyond the Lights. If you have seen her work, please go check her work out. Listen to her interview w/ Array on "The Call In"

Want this Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 5- Ava DuVernay

This is an Inktober drawing of film maker Ava DuVernay using brush, ink, a little bit of water color, and some white pastel. The reason I'm drawing Ava is because she has been a tremendous creative influence on me. Both her work in creating and promoting films has been humble, tough, creative, and incredible. And although I only became aware of her once she did the Hip Hop documentary "This is the Life" about The Good Life Cafe in Leimert Park, I feel like I've watched watched her grow so much. I'm not going to give you her whole story, you can google that for yourself, but I will say her contributions to the medium of storytelling through film have been amazing. If you are not familiar with her film work, google her. If you are not familiar with Array/ Affirm distribution model for independent Black films, look that up too. I promise you will be inspired. Middle of Nowhere, The Door, , Vermont is for Lovers too, Venus Vs, and Selma are my favorite pieces of hers so far. Can't wait to see what she does next whether it is quiet or loud.

Dig this? Check out this portrait of Kasi Lemmons

Inktober 1

This is my first Inktober for 2017. If you're not familiar with the rules, here they are. Join me, and share your work.

Inktober 1

Happy "Inktober"

Inktober 1

Inspired by artist Jake Parker, I'll be doing a few ink drawings this month to coincide with the Inktober month. Dig it deep.

Inktober 2018 - Walkman & Gi

Walkman & Gi

I drew this in 2018 as part of a series of drawings for the #inktober challenge. I imagined myself or a kid like me who loved music and martial arts. If you're old enough to remember, what tapes would you bring with you in your walkman? For me, probably a custom mix of Jazz & hip hop, Souls of Mischief, Raekwon the Chef, and a soundtrack like Poetic Justice, Juice, or something like that. 

Dig this? Check out 80 Days and NO justice

Inktober drawings for sale

If you liked any of the Inktober drawings I did this past month please check out my Etsy page. I've listed some of my favorites that aren't in my sketchbook that you can purchase as original art right now. Please check them out and follow me on Etsy if you haven't already to see what kinds of goodies I port from a range of price points.

LINK to store

Inktober 1- Solidarity w/ Standing Rock (No DapL)

It's Inktober! I'm finally getting started for maybe the 3rd or 4th year doing this drawing exercise using ink only, no erasing or editing. This one is for the folks holding it down up there at Standing Rock, which is an Native American reservation on the border of North and South Dakota. There is a corporation called "Energy Transfer Partners" which is illegally building a pipeline to carry oil to a refinery from North Dakota to the state of Illinois. The Native folks started a protest back in April of this year I believe to demonstrate against this. Why? The corporations have not gotten the Native communities which they plan to build in and over to agree to this. Why don't they agree? Because they do not want this pipeline going through a river there which is a primary water source for so many people, or the companies desecrating Native land (which they've already done). If the pipe breaks or ruptures it will poison the water. I encourage you to do research on your own in corporate owned media and media that is community funded to make up your own mind about this protest.  What has been done to Native Americans from Canada to South America in terms of genocide, theft, and exploitation is not just historic, it is present. It has been happening since European Americans got here. What I mean by that is the US government has over the centuries supported practices that kill Native people, take their land, or exploits them. Or, they have looked the other way while European Americans or Immigrants did so. This is not an argument, this is a fact. One thats left out of perspective when discussing this historic protest. And it is historic, not in decades have we seen so many different tribes/ nations come together to fight against this. If you're interested in seeing more artwork in support of the protest go to here  to Melanie Cervantes. Then if you wish to donate to the camp of folks who need supplies and support go to https://fundrazr.com/d19fAf  . If you do not support this corporation building this pipeline on Indian land sign this petition as well www.change.org/RezpectOurWater

Dig this? Check out this drawing 80 Days and No Justice (Mike Brown)

Inktober 8- Grace Lee Boggs

Grace Lee Boggs once said in an interview:
"Do something local, do something real however small and don't diss the political things, but understand their limitations. I mean, politics.... There was a time when we believed that if we just achieved political power we would solve all our problems. And I think what we've learned through the experience of the Russian revolution and all these revolutions is that those who try to get power in the state become part of the state. They become locked into the practices. And we have to begin creating new practices."

"I don't see any leaders and i think we need to rethink the concept of leaders. Because leader implies follower. I think we need to appropriate and embrace the idea that we are the leaders we've bee looking for."

check this

Want this Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 17 - Guillermo Del Toro

The first Del Toro film I saw was La Espina del Diablo which was an incredible film mixing history, fantasy, and a bit of horror. Born in Guadalajara Mexico Del Toro got a fascination with film at an early age and has worked as a writer, director, and producer on well over 30 projects. Some of my favorites are Hellboy, The Hobbit, The Book of Life, and the first film I mentioned. As a child both my grandmother and my mom had a love for fantasy and horror. I then gravitated to these as well. Besides making films, I appreciate that Del Toro helps other filmmakers. Especially his hand in the making of "The Book of Life". You can see more of his work at www.deltorofilms.com

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

Inktober 9 - Janel Martinez

I relate to Janel a lot just hearing about the mix of cultures she grew up with and having to "explain" to people who you are w/o constantly getting asked "what are you"? For those that are not up on her work, she is a young Journalist out of the Boogie Down who works in culture, current events, tech, etc. She writes about her culture too making it more possible for other young brothers and sisters too identify with both their African and Latino roots and to be damn proud of it. The difficult part of this is not just explaining it to white people, it's breaking it down for Latinos and for African Americans and getting a better understanding of who "Afro-Latinos" are. Self love first. Check out the work she does with her business and blog "Ain't I Latina?" On the social media platforms and blogs she not only talks about her experiences but highlights those of other Afro-Latinas in the world; past and present. This is dope because it lets everyone know that folks have so many more dimensions and complexity to them. And it allows people to follow many more change makers and successful entrepreneurs. Right on Janel.

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

Inktober 21- Buddy Esquire

Hey, this man right here is Buddy Esquire, one of the illest artists to ever do artwork that both illustrated and supported a culture he was living in called "Hip Hop". He was a writer first and then applied those skills to design. Him, Phase 2, and Eddie Ed were some of the best artists to have designer your show flyer back in the day in the BX and NYC. I've always gravitated to his work before I even knew who he was. It has impacted me in how I see design, style, and contrast. Any kind of artist can appreciate the work he put in for the culture, I just wish he got more love while he was a live and that I sought him out while living in NYC. Much love to his family, may he rest in peace.

Want this Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Inktober 7 - Yup/ Nope

Yes to indigenous peoples day! Nope to Columbus Day/Pilgrims legacy! I'm down with really holding up Native American peoples from South America to Canada. Not down with celebrating #Columbus or the legacy of the pilgrims which combined decimated, raped, murdered, stole, and created the foundation of wealth for Europeans and Whites in the US, Canada, Central & South America, the Caribbean, etc. #abolishcolombusday#indigenous #indigenouspeoplesday Please don't mistake this fight for "in the past" it is the roots of power and fights like #standingRock today. 

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

Inktober 6 - Breakbeat Lou

Lou Flores and Lenny Roberts are the creators and pioneers of "Ultimate Breakbeats" or UBB. When I was a kid the art on the covers attracted me and through them I got clues to what my mom used to say whenever I played a record she recognized. If it wasn't for this man, so many dj's wouldn't know the fundamental and odd breaks that hip hop was founded upon. In fact many of the greatest hip hop records sampled Lou's edits of old funk, rock, or soul songs to create their songs. Much love to you Lou! Lou is not only a collector, digger, but he also djs and made a resurgence in the public eye in the past 5-6 years. Follow @breakbeatlou . Your mom would be proud of you bro. Thx for your immense contribution to the culture. I still got mine! 

Sources: Youtube, Ultimate Breaks & Beats

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