Monday, December 31, 2018

Recap: Curls Studio's Year of 2018


2018 is a very good (and exhausting) year and we are excited to recap some of the highlights for you. We made several comic show appearances this year with a total of 18 days behind the table exhibiting comics. We celebrated Free Comic Book Day at our local store and hit up major conventions including Awesome Con, Small Press Expo, Baltimore Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. We ended the year with a Cartoon Art Exhibition at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Gallery.

In January, Carolyn launched her second Kickstarter campaign to participate in Kickstarter’s Make 100 incentive. She illustrated 100 original Sad Fish and produced a limited edition book of 100 thanks to the success of supporter pledges.

In May, Carolyn participated in Cartoonapalooza!, a public event hosted by the Free Library of Philadelphia during the Reuben Awards Weekend. She also had the opportunity to visit the Philadelphia Children's Hospital and take part in the Cartooning for Kids program where cartoonists from National Cartoonists Society drew for children and their families.

At Baltimore Comic-Con, the Mine! Anthology Carolyn was a part of won for Best Anthology at the Ringo Awards. Carolyn also was ask to participate in the yearbook featuring Terry Moore creations, where she contributed a page with Strangers In Paradise characters rocking out with a punk Curls.

In October, Carolyn and Joe both took part in Inktober for the second time. They both drew with ink and posted a new image every day during the month on their socials. Joe's theme was Burlesque Dancers and Carolyn's theme was Dessert Desert Creatures.

Also during October, Carolyn organized the sixth annual Cartoonists Draw Blood event with American Red Cross and then the Washington, DC chapter of National Cartoonists Society where four local cartoonists drew for donors as a "thank you." We also created our second Cartoonist Draw Blood comic book anthology, “Monsters.” The Manhattan chapter of National Cartoonists Society was also able to start their first Cartoonists Draw Blood event this year, so it was exciting to see this event expand to other territories.

Black Magic Tales was published in Magic Bullet, Washington, DC's comics anthology. Issues #16 and #17 were released this year.

Joe challenged himself to make a short film for each month of the year, and he was successful in completing all 12 films! Carolyn helped design titles and set decorations for a few of the films. Go to www.joecarabeo.com to watch the films!

If you want to read more and see photos of the experiences we've had in 2018, please look in the blog archives. We hope to create more for you in 2019 and all the years to come.

Happy New Year from Curls Studio!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #17

A few months ago Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #17. Many people were able to pick up this edition at Small Press Expo earlier this year. 


Our story "Help Roxy Plan A Heist" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (and their cat, Black Magic). We took a different approach to the comic this time around and made a maze puzzle with many traps such as “Drowning In Self Doubt” and “Lost Sight and Focus” as the readers travel through Roxy’s brain. Once the puzzle is solved, readers are encouraged to email a photo of the completed page to us to receive a small prize reward. 

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-17 so far).

Monday, November 5, 2018

Cartoon Art Exhibition at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Gallery


A new exhibition by Carolyn Belefski is open at the Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Art Gallery (21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA). The show features 16 "Curls" comic strip prints and 15 original ink art pieces that will be on display until November 30.


A “Meet The Artist” event will take place on November 18 from 9AM to 12 Noon and will feature comic books, original art, buttons, prints, and other rare items available for purchase. Carolyn will be available to autograph items and visitors will have the opportunity to buy affordable art and gifts in advance of the holiday shopping rush.

Please connect with Ridgetop employees if you are interested in purchasing art directly from the walls.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/255319051835562

Monday-Friday 7AM to 9PM
Saturday-Sunday 8AM to 4PM

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Inktober 2018: Dessert Desert Creatures

Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month.


I'm realizing that I did not post about last year's Inktober on the blog, but last year I did a theme of "Turtles" and it was my very first Inktober. I ended up making a small book of all the illustrations and titling it "31 Turtles" and had the book premiere last month at Small Press Expo.


Now with my second year of Inktober, the theme I selected is "Dessert Desert Creatures" for 2018. I've been posting them up on Instagram and you can purchase the original art online from my store at www.CarolynBelefski.com/store


New creatures will be added as the month continues as I'm playing a bit of catch up after New York Comic Con, Cartoonists Draw Blood, and life. My goal is to finish all 31 by the end of the month, so stay 'tooned to the socials to see the posts.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Designing Film Titles: Process, Rough, Daisy


Last Tuesday, October 16, 2018 we celebrated two award nominations for the Joe Carabeo film "Process" during Pitch To Screen at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. I had a great time hanging out with true creatives and storytellers from screen and stage.

So far this year I've designed the film titles for three short films: Process, Rough, and Daisy. I've worked on designing prop items for films in the past as well, but film titles is new for me this year -- I've been having a blast with typography and handwritten elements. It so fun to experiment with the short film's message and style and show that through the title design.

You can see "Process" for a limited time here: http://www.joecarabeo.com/process

Below are examples of the title designs I've created. You can view more of my work at www.CarolynBelefski.com.




Monday, October 22, 2018

Recap and Photos: Cartoonists Draw Blood - American Red Cross Blood Drive 2018


On October 20, 2018, the Washington, DC chapter of National Cartoonists Society had our sixth annual "Cartoonists Draw Blood" blood drive event with the American Red Cross. 

Thanks to all the cartoonists who donated their time and talents: Eric Gordon and Carolyn Belefski drew during the first shift, then Steve Artley and Joe Sutliff arrived to draw for donors during the second half of the drive. We were also able to showcase our second anthology, Monsters.

Thanks to AIGA DC for reaching out to Cartoonists Draw Blood and asking us to join DC Design Week for the second year in a row.

Thanks to Joe Carabeo for photographing the event and to the folks at Palisades Community Church for providing the venue.

Thanks to our sponsors: Cartoonists Draw Blood, American Red Cross, National Cartoonists Society

I had been great to be a part of this and saving so many lives with cartooning -- a single donation has the potential to save as many as three lives! 

More photos can be found in the gallery on Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CurlsStudio/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156695880607381


If you live near NYC, join in for the Manhattan chapter of National Cartoonists Society's first Cartoonists Draw Blood event this Thursday, October 25, 2018 from Noon to 5PM at The King's College, Student Union, 56 Broadway. 

XOXO,
Carolyn

Friday, October 19, 2018

Cartoonists Draw Blood is expanding to NYC in 2018


I've been working behind-the-scenes throughout the year trying to connect National Cartoonists Society chapter chairs with the correct American Red Cross representative connection in their region to expand “Cartoonists Draw Blood” events beyond Washington, DC. We are excited to announce the Manhattan chapter of NCS will be joining in this October 25! Not gonna lie, it's been hard to get the right people to help hook everything together, but this is a great start to make this program grow. I've heard interest from other chapters, so hopefully by this time next year I'd like to add a few more cities to the list and get the blood pumping.

Big thanks to American Red Cross, National Cartoonists Society, and all the volunteer cartoonists who will be donating their time and talents to the blood drive -- as well as encouraging blood donation.

Here are the two “Cartoonists Draw Blood” drives we have this year. I'll be representing at the DC event tomorrow morning.

WASHINGTON, DC
Saturday, October 20, 2018
9AM - 1PM
Palisades Community Church
5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Schedule your appointment in advance with this link (walk-ins are also welcome):
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades

MANHATTAN
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Noon - 5PM
The King's College, Student Union
56 Broadway, New York, NY 10004


Here is the National Cartoonists Society website announcement about the events: http://www.reuben.org/2018/10/cartoonists-draw-blood-events-in-dc-nyc

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Cartoonists Draw Blood is this Saturday, October 20, 2018


The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing the 6th annual blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" will be celebrated on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9AM to 1PM at Palisades Community Church at 5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 (same location as last year).

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 9AM to 1PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, 
register in advance at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades&fbclid=IwAR2S_VRfkPXaW4uwX-zcZ8dOFQm-EJrQ31p5wMMV96sNaafOFm3MllhHJFk

On the day of donation, please drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in your diet, and bring a list of medications you are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.


It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done five previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of several hundred people. 




This year's event will feature creators 
Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Eric Gordon, and Joe Sutliff. We will also have our second comics anthology, "Monsters" available for $5 (10% of the proceeds have been donated to American Red Cross after printing costs)

In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is near Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2179785222302469

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Monday, October 8, 2018

Recap: WeDC Fest 2018


On Thursday, September 27, 2018  from 11AM to noon Curls Studio was invited to speak at the first-ever WeDC Fest at the National Union Building in Washington, DC.

WeDC Fest was a three day conference (September 26-28) for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation’s Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event featured unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city.


I produced and organized the "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" panel. Here is the description: 
As studies show, people are using visual mediums now more than ever to get attention. This panel will focus on the value comics add to build your brand with humor and authenticity. Comics are a valuable visual asset that have the potential to achieve results and feedback from audiences. Learn how words, pictures, and infographics are used together to tell your story. Join us as we discuss how to write exciting content, collaborate with cartoonists, and inject an element of fun into your upcoming projects.




Had a great time presenting "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" at #WeDC this morning with @astrayj @laughingredhead. Enjoyed being able to show slides of visuals and get feedback discussion going at closing of our time slot. Thank you for having us! View my stories for behind-the-scenes photos. ✏ WeDC Fest is a three-day conference for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation's Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event features unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city. Thank you to the sponsors: @wdcep @lyft @amazonwebservices @capitalone @broccolicity @dcstartupweek @newseum @202creates @nationalunionbuilding @astrodoughnuts @benseverything and more. #wedcfest #cartoon #comics #acreativedc #ideas #washingtondc #publicspeaker
A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on

Thank you to the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), event staff, volunteers, and other who helped to make the event happen.

We also appreciated the catering from Ben's Chili Bowl and Astro Doughnuts.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

New York Comic Con 2018 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor


You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS (October 4-7) of New York Comic Con 2018 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Please say hello and introduce yourself!

I'll also be signing at National Cartoonists Society Booth 304 on Thursday from 1-4PM, but the rest of the time I'll be at Booth 1162.

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 


SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday, October 4 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, October 5 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 6 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 7 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there! 

Monday, October 1, 2018

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2018


Curls Studio continued to make memories at Baltimore Comic-Con 2018 this past weekend. I got to participate in the Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook, celebrating creators appearing at this year’s show. This year’s book of art featured interpretations of characters from Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise, as well as his other creations, sometimes in conjunction with the contributing guest’s own creations, and celebrating creator-owned properties. This is the seventh BCC Yearbook (my second -- I got to contribute to the Archie Yearbook in 2016).

Saturday was Zachary Levi's birthday. He was one of the media guests at the show and we got the opportunity to sing "Happy Birthday" to him and Katrina Law (her birthday was on Sunday). The show had cakes for both of them and Zachary Levi's cake was inspired by his character in Tangled. The cake was delicious!

During the show I got to meet many cool fans, including a former burlesque dancer who purchased her first comic, our book The Legettes. I also got to draw some commissions and sell original art from my Sad Fish project.


Another cool thing that happened Saturday evening was that the Mine! Anthology I was a part of with ComicMix won for Best Anthology at the Ringo Awards.

On Sunday we had a panel discussion about Cartoonists Draw Blood: the history of the event, our anthologies, and upcoming blood drive. We even had a Red Cross representative at the show! I hope to have the audio available soon to release online.

We got to connect with and meet new creators in the Kids Love Comics section. Great vibes and love of creating at Baltimore Comic-Con this year. We hope to be back in the future -- next year the show is moving into October -- it will certainly be a busy month.

Thanks to the Baltimore Comic-Con staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees for making this event so enjoyable. Our next tour date is this coming Thursday-Sunday for the big one: New York Comic Con! Join us at Booth 1162 in Small Press. I'll be posting a map and more details soon. Very little recovery time this time of year -- there's a convention almost every weekend if you could do it all!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 28-30, 2018



Baltimore Comic-Con 2018
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3014 in Kids Love Comics 
Friday, September 28 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 29 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 30 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 3014. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We will have the Curls book collection available, the "Toast of the Town" hard enamel pin, and the new "Cartoonists Draw Blood: Monsters" anthology available for purchase. We'll also have a panel about Cartoonists Draw Blood on Sunday.


Sunday, September 30 -- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 347-348 – CARTOONISTS DRAW BLOOD
Join artists from “Cartoonists Draw Blood” and National Cartoonists Society as they discuss our partnership with the American Red Cross. Since 2013, Carolyn Belefski has organized several of the finest cartoonists in the Washington, DC area to devote their time and talents to sketch for blood donors annually. The reason is simple: it’s a great opportunity for cartoonists to serve their community while showcasing their art skills and encouraging blood donation – a single donation has the potential to save as many as three lives! The “Cartoonists Draw Blood” crew has expanded their activities beyond the drive by exhibiting work in gallery shows and producing anthology books. Learn about how they create their projects and how you have the potential to create comics for good.

Here are some "Curls Studio Visits..." Convention Films, produced by Astray Productions, to get you in the mood!

2008 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFyPIiWnZFA

2007 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDUL8zNv5FQ

We hope to see you this weekend at Baltimore Comic-Con!

Monday, September 10, 2018

Small Press Expo is September 15-16, 2018

Small Press Expo
Visit Curls Studio at Table E4
Saturday, September 15 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 16 -- Noon - 6:00 PM
Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Admission: Saturday $15, Sunday $10, or $20 for both days




I hope to see you as we celebrate the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent at SPX. Please click the map above to locate Curls Studio sharing Table E4

See you soon at SPX!

Monday, August 27, 2018

Recap: Fairfax Comic Con 2018

Curls Studio had a great time exhibiting at the first-ever Fairfax Comic Con at Dulles Expo Center. I enjoyed getting asked to create art for the show featuring the Fairfax Fox show mascot (also worked in sister show Tidewater Comicon's Shark mascot as an airplane to tie in the Dulles location).


I dug the Fox motif so much, we even purchased a shirt. The show also had a cool step-and-repeat red carpet featuring fox floaties. The show was convenient with free parking and kids aged 10 and under were free admission. It was a family-friendly event and many people embraced the cosplay contest spectacle.


We had a soft premiere of the new "Cartoonists Draw Blood: Monsters" anthology comic and showcased my "Sad Fish" project with the original art available for sale. I also worked a presentation with Kids Love Comics about designing your own superhero symbol. After the symbol was created, children (and their parents) were able to design a full outfit on paper. From there I announced they can continue to create comics about their characters at home.

Huge thanks to the show organizers, staff, and volunteers who put on a safe and fun show -- we hope to be back at future Fairfax Comic Con events.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Fairfax Comic Con is August 25-26, 2018


Please join us for the first-ever Fairfax Comic Con at Dulles Expo Center on August 25-26, 2018. Curls Studio will be at Table 221 selling original art and new books (some publicly unannounced specials).

I will also be signing exclusive prints the show asked me to produce. My concept features Fairfax Fox and the Tidewater Shark (as an airplane -- to bring the Dulles airport location into the mix).

On Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 3PM in the Kids Love Comics section, I'll be hosting "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski." Every hero needs a logo! Many superheroes have personal branding on their outfits and My Little Pony characters even have cutie marks! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity.


Here is more about the show from their website:

Fairfax Comic Con is a new annual comic convention brought to you by Tidewater Comicon and the diehard comic fans of Fairfax County, Virginia. Our first year we plan on a smaller show with a strong focus on comic book creators and a few surprise guests. We want to be a family friendly event that brings fans from far and wide for two fun filled days in Fairfax. Ok, admittedly we tried to put as many F’s in that last sentence as we could. Fantastic!

Children age 10 and under are free! Get your passes and find out more information in advance here: www.fairfaxcomiccon.com

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

2018 Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards Nominations



Excited to see two projects I worked on nominated for Best Anthology in the 2018 Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards -- Mine! (ComicMix) and Magic Bullet. Voting on the final ballot is restricted to comic book industry creative community. We find out the winners at Baltimore Comic-Con. Curls Studio will be exhibiting at Baltimore Comic-Con and we hope to see you this September 28-30, 2018.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Recap: National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards Weekend 2018


Last month I attended the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards weekend (May 25-27). This was my third Reubens appearance -- and my first as a national board member. I had previously been to Pittsburgh (2013 recap here) and Washington, DC (2015 recap here). The event is known as "the Oscars of Cartooning."


On Friday I had the honor of drawing for patients and their families at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for the NCS "Cartooning For Kids" program. National Cartoonists Society Foundation also arranged several goody bags stuffed with sketchbooks, coloring books, comics, and more. We've done a few hospital appearances in the DC area too. It is very gratifying to draw at the hospital and the children loved it. Thanks to Molly Stromoski for taking photos and to Rick Stromoski for organizing. Rick said the administrators of the hospital said it was their most successful event they've ever had.

Back at the host hotel there were several panels spread on all three days and I attended all of them: Exaggerating Caricature, The Family Circus Tree, John Hambrock: Walking the Tightrope, Spotlight on Will Henry's Wallace the Brave, From Comics to Animated Series and Beyond, Women Pioneers of Cartoon Art, The Golden Age of Cartooning in Connecticut, Reinventing Rube Goldberg, Salute to MAD Magazine



The Women Pioneers of Cartoon Art panel featured Cathy Guisewite, Lynn Johnston, Barbara Dale, Sandra Bell-Lundy, and Jan Eliot -- moderated by Ann Telnaes. After the panel, all the female cartoonists in attendance gathered together to take a photo. Thanks to Amy Sancetta (retired Associated Press staff photographer) for the photo. I also enjoy the back photo showing great camaraderie.



At the Reuben Awards Banquet I had a good time with Francis, Kristen, Ali, and the gang. I should have taken photos, but I didn't take any after the awards show. Thanks to Francis for visual proof that we were there. It felt nice to be around other cartoonists and meet several new ones.


On Sunday, we had a public signing at Philadelphia Free Library called Cartoonapalooza! Flip through the gallery of images on my Instagram post above. If you aren't following me on Instagram yet, I'm @CarolynBelefski (same handle on Twitter as well).

I didn't have much time to explore the city, but I did see Love Park, many statues, and the outside of the Masonic Temple. Food wise, I enjoyed a pretzel, an alligator sausage breakfast po' boy sandwich, and cinnamon ice cream at Reading Terminal Market.


Here is Toast (from the Curls comic strip) spreading jelly joy in the city of brotherly love.

We closed out the weekend with a "Philadelphia Freedom" Farewell Party that included a quiz about cartoons and a make-your-own cheesesteak station (there were also vegetarian options). Hummm, now I wish I had that second helping of cheesesteak!

Huge thanks to NCS for inviting me in be a part of their cartooning family. Thanks to the board and Bill Morrison for leadership and their devotion to cartoons, illustration, and storytelling.