The Artist and Author bringing kid lit to the forefront
Since most school curriculums never explore the culture and contributions of people of color in depth, Ethnic Studies is a vital conduit towards true knowledge of self. This is a fact that is well known to Robert Trujillo, because the now accomplished artist, illustrator and children's literature author is a product of the discipline himself. In the year 2000, back when Robert was midway through his undergrad at San Francisco State, he found inspiration at the University, which was the first college to have an Ethnic Studies Department. Throughout his time at SFS, he cultivated his love for the arts and it's intersectionality with education. And now, through his work, he's sharing that love with us.Robert Trujillo is the owner of "ArtOfRobertTrujillo" a popular shop with products ranging from original art to prints, stickers, bookmarks, books and more. Along with Kid lit, some of his go-to themes are analog music, literacy, ethnic studies, identity, and uplifting phrases. As an author, his self published book "Furqan's First Flat Top" is a bilingual children's book about "The love between and father and son, reassurance, imagination, and of course a 'flat top'". He's also the illustrator behind books from various authors, showcasing his signature style for a wide range of clients.We were interested in Rob's journey, so we reached out to hear more. Below we discuss his early artistic sparks, the importance of education, children's literature and more.
1. Let's start from the beginning. You've been working as an artist and illustrator for years now. What/who were some of your early influences creatively?
First off, thanks for inviting me to Gritty. Nice place you got here. When I was a kid artists like Mode2 from TCA (London), Dream from TDK (Oakland), and Lee Quinones were huge inspirations. A lot of the reason I became an artist was because of Graffiti. I found my tribe there, and the skills I learned from it permeate so much of what I do to this day. As I got older I got into painters like Nelson Stevens from AfriCOBRA, Juana Alicia, Yolanda Lopez, Lois Mailou Jones, etc. There are so many. And hip hop. The culture of hip hop pushed me forward creatively.
"I had been rejected from the larger children's book industry and I figured I needed to work on my craft so I'd write and illustrate a short story every other month for a year or two straight."
2. Can you talk about your alignment with your crew Trust your Struggle? How important was it for you to "Find your tribe" amongst that collective of artists, educators, and cultural workers?
So TYS is a collective of muralists, artists, and activists originally from the Bay Area, then expanded to NYC and the Philippines. We paint large scale murals, teach workshops, create gallery shows, and organize mural tours. I co-founded the crew with Scott La Rockwell, Mincho Vega, and later Erin Yoshi. We all were artists in our own right who sought a kinship with other artists who wanted to speak about social injustice, revolutionary movements, and ways our art could advance political movements. My crew has pushed me so much artistically. I think it's important to link up with linked minded people in your craft because you can learn so much from each other.
3. What was your biggest takeaway from working with kids as an educator for nine years?
Working with young people was great. It was an equal exchange as I learned from them as I tried to teach them. After teaching art and music to so many kids, I would say that adults underestimate what young people can do when interested and determined.
4. Sticking with the school subject, a constant theme in your work is ethnic studies. Can you talk about your connection to this field personally and why it's important for you to feature it prominently in your art?
Sure, I went to a high school in Berkeley California which is one of the first schools to implement African, Raza, and Asian American studies in the school. It had a profound effect on my confidence. I later took classes at San Francisco State University; the first college to create an ethnic studies department won by student organizing. I make art about it now because I believe young folks can find knowledge of self and of others through it. So much of US, American, and world history completely ignores Black, Indigenous, and people of color in their foundations of history, science, math, you name it.
"After teaching art and music to so many kids, I would say that adults underestimate what young people can do when interested and determined."
5. How has being a father impacted you and your artistry?
Being a parent is like seeing the world through fresh eyes. You see, hear, smell, all of it differently because kids will point it out. They'll ask questions that seem simple, but are actually profound, and they remind you to be in the moment. I became a father at a young age and it made me more focused, disciplined, less selfish. My kids have also inspired art I never thought I'd make.
6. Just from looking at the trailer to your book "Furquan's first flat top", my cultural pride is beaming. We need more of this in children's literature. Can you talk about the ideation of this book and why you wanted to tell this story specifically?
Yeah,
Furqan's First Flat Top came out of a series of short stories. I had been rejected from the larger children's book industry and I figured I needed to work on my craft so I'd write and illustrate a short story every other month for a year or two straight. I wanted Furqan's to be a father and son story because there aren't enough picture books about Black and brown fathers and sons. I also wanted it to be about an everyday thing like going to the barbershop. So much of the kids book industry at the time was about Black pain, slavery, etc. I wanted a happy story. And it's bilingual. English and Spanish because I hope it will be a bridge between communities and people. I also hope more folks will learn a second language.
https://youtu.be/qLrflKG0K4U
7. We hear you're a big time music lover. What's on your playlist at the moment?
Right now I'm playing a lot of house music. So Kerri Chandler, Anderson Paak, DJ Spinna, Waajeed, Miguel Migs, Kaytranada, Channel Tres, Smiles Davis, folks like that. But yeah, I love music!
8. Any other announcements or statements you'd like to make in closing?
Besides murals and kids books, I also make art prints, stickers, art care packages, and hand painted portraits in
my shop. Feel free to check that out and thank you again. Peace!
