We started out the year with a Make 100 Kickstarter for Red Rose pins (which was also my Pantone Color of the Year project for Viva Magenta).
This year marked Awesome Con's tenth anniversary. Curls Studio has exhibited every year! I hosted the "Emoji Comics" workshop and the panel "The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators" with Sean Gordon Murphy, Emily Whitten, and Carolyn Belefski. Joe Carabeo presented the Awesome Con Short Film Fest.
In June we launched a Kickstarter for Firefly enamel pins (a sister project to the Cicada design of 2021 and continuing with the insect theme). We were a part of the Craft Lab Grand Opening at Because Science and taught "Make Your Own Planet" and "Marbleized Shaving Cream" in their new maker space. Joe had his "Astray Productions Film Showcase" at Alamo Drafthouse in One Loudoun on June 25.
I was asked by US Library of Congress to moderate the panel "How Sara Shepard Made a Best Friend" on at the National Book Festival in August.
Baltimore Comic-Con and Small Press Expo were the same weekend, but we made it work by switching days so Joe and I could be at two places separately. It was mildly rough, but we were able to handle it and work around the situation without having to pick one option since we like both shows for different reasons. It was our first time at Richmond Indie Comics Expo at VCU's library. I even got to visit the Pollak Building next door, where my graphic design classes were held.
A highlight of being in New York during the time of New York Comic Con was visiting Philippe Labaune Gallery for the Peter de Sève exhibit and getting to meet the artist himself! I also got to do the touristy thing of going to Serendipity 3 having their Wicked Emerald City Frrrozen Hot Mint Chocolate.
In November we brought back "Cartoonists Draw Blood" with American Red Cross for the first time since 2019. Because of the events of 2020 we took the time to wait it out and figure out a safer time to do this event where we draw as a thank you to blood donors.
As usual we continued to exhibit at comic conventions and events. Here is our 2023 Tour list:
May 6 • Free Comic Book Day
May 20 • Tidewater Comicon
June 16-18 • Awesome Con
June 24 • Because Science
August 12 • National Book Festival
August 26-27 • Fairfax Comic Con
September 8-10 • Baltimore Comic-Con
September 9-10 • Small Press Expo
October 12-15 • New York Comic Con
October 28 • Haymarket Art Market
November 12 • Richmond Indie Comics Expo
November 22 • Cartoonists Draw Blood
December 2 • Nova Labs Holiday Maker Market
December 13 • Comic Logic Store Signing
The fall tour left me exhausted with few weekends off for recovery, but I still had a good time at the shows. We are looking forward to the future!
