Photo by Kristen Murakoshi
I don’t remember the exact time I met Rob, but I know we were at a zine fest or a comics show. The Bay Area is really small and everyone seems to either know each other or know of each other(though not always true). When we did meet, I remember him being so kind and joyous.
The first time I saw his work, I was blown away with how he uses color. And that he does it all traditionally. I love that Roberts work focusses heavily on Black Boy Joy and Black and Brown families. I love that you can see the life in the faces of his characters as well as the joy.
If you ever meet Rob, I think the first thing you will notice is how joyous his presence is.
FURQAN’S FIRST FLAT TOP 2016
ONE OF A KIND LIKE ME/ ÚNICO COMO YO- ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT
ROBERT LIU-TRUJILLO INTERVIEW 2020
How are you doing?
R: I'm maintaining. Adjusting and doing my best to make due. With all that is happening I feel blessed still.
Are you from the Bay Area or did you move here?
R: Yes
If so, where in the Bay are you from?
R: I was born in Oakland, raised in Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and lived in Hayward, Richmond, etc. But Oakland is the place where I live now and have lived the most places in.
When did you start making comics?
R: I have been dabbling with it and didn't officially start working on one until 2016. I have done little things here and there for anthologies, or a one pager for myself. But, I'm still very much learning the craft.
How has your progression of your cartooning career impacted your life?
R: Well, the more I do work for myself and others the better my craft gets. That helps me tell better stories and in some cases helps me earn a better living.
How have you grown since your earlier comics?
R: I have learned to try and see a scene from different perspectives. I've learned to get it done versus obsessing over how good it looks.
What are some of your most memorable moments of your career so far?
R: Self publishing my own children's book was a big one. Being able to travel the country painting murals with Trust Your Struggle Collective was another.
What is different about The Bay Area comics scene compared to other places you have been?
R: Well, 12-13 years ago I didn't know any Black comics creators in the Bay Area. It was only when I moved to NYC and when I started to use social media that I met some from home and abroad. They've always been there, I just didn't know where to look at first.
Any comics recommendations?
R: "The Witchdoctor Series" by Kenjji Marshall. It is one of my all time favorites. "Nightlights" by Lorena Alvarez and "The Faithful Spy" by John Hendrix are also newer favorites.
Any cartoon/tv shows or movie recommendations?
R: Well, I've been watching "Molli of Denali" with my toddler during quarantine. Been watching lots of "Coco" and "Brave" with her as well. A Tv show I watched with my wife and my teen recently is "Never Have I Ever" which was hilarious. I highly recommend it.
What influences your work?
R: Good storytelling, great draftsmanship, great use of color, lighting, film, family and personal history, victories of social justice, and ethnic studies generally. Specifically stories that make me laugh or cry, and things about my heritage or family that I didn't know before.
What do you want to do in comics in the next 5 years?
R: Start and finish comics. Doesn't have to be great, but finished and good would be great.
What are you working on now?
R: Several picture books and other odds and ends.
What does your work represent to you?
R: It is part of me, it's what gives me life, and it's my way of contributing to the world I guess. It represents discipline and fun. It is part of my purpose in life.
Roberts Comic For The BAYlies 2019
Thank you to Robert for doing this interview. It’s important for me as someone who is here right now to not only archive and document comics history, but to shine light on what has been and still is here. Robert is heavily involved in making sure the youth and people have access to knowledge and encouragement and its a pleasure to have him be a part of this.
Please Check out his work
Peace and love
-Lawrence