Comics Making Studio at Artisphere: Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, and Andy Warhol

Join us this coming Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, VA) in the Works in Progress Gallery. Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo will be working LIVE on a large chalkboard and on paper from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM (or maybe longer)!

For more info: http://www.artisphere.com/calendar/event-details/Visual-Arts/COMICS-MAKING-STUDIO-WITH-MEMBERS-OF-THE-D-C-CONSPIRACY.aspx

In addition, on this day you can also be present for the opening reception of the Andy Warhol "Silver Clouds" exhibit, which is located at the gallery next door. The reception is from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Andy Warhol is Joe's arch-nemesis, so in this case they will battle again at the same time, same place. Be there to see the showdown! Both events are free.

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 7-8, 2013

Baltimore Comic-Con 2013
Visit Curls Studio at Table A99 in Artist Alley
Saturday, September 8 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 9 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(SHARP STREET ENTRANCE)

Stop by to see Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con. We will be located in Artist Alley at Table A99. Click on the map image above (with Curls) to see a large map of where to find us and click here to buy your tickets in advance. I will be doing sketch commissions and we'll have some new prints and other surprises up our sleeves!

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


In addition to having a table at Baltimore Comic-Con, two books I am a part of are nominated for Harvey Awards. The Harvey Awards, named after Harvey Kurtzman, are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. The Harvey Awards are presented annually at Baltimore Comic-Con to creators and publications that receive the most votes from their peers in the comics industry.

District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC is nominated for:
• Best Anthology

Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson's is nominated for:
• Best Anthology
• Special Award for Humor in Comics
• Special Award for Excellence in Presentation
• Best Biographical, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation

Cross your fingers! I hope to see you soon at Baltimore Comic-Con!

UPDATE (September 2, 2013)

I am invited to be on two panels at Baltimore Comic-Con.

Saturday, September 8 -- Room 305 -- 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Self Publishing: You Can Do It
Featuring: Amy Chu, Jimmy Palmiotti, Danielle Corsetto, George O'Connor, Carolyn Belefski

Sunday, September 9 -- Room 301 -- 11:00 AM to Noon
Team Cul de Sac
When Richard Thompson, the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his friend Chris Sparks began a fundraising effort to honor his friend. With Richard’s support, he asked others to donate artwork featuring the Cul de Sac characters for a Team Cul de Sac book with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research. The resulting book was nominated for four Harvey Awards. How did it do? Come to the panel and Chris Sparks and Mike Rhode will let you know! The fundraising continues as Joe Sutliff talks about the Drink and Draw event from this past Friday and Carolyn Belefski talks about the upcoming Moving Day Parkinson’s walk. Any other contributors are welcome to join in on stage. Plus, there will be fun things for sale!

Magic Bullet #7 Cover and Contributor List

I am delighted to present to you the cover of Magic Bullet #7. Magic Bullet is Washington, D.C.’s free comics newspaper published by 
D.C. Conspiracy, a comics creators’ collective in the capital region.

Steve Conley was tapped to illustrate the cover art and Matt Dembicki contributed the color center spread. Thanks to El Jefe Design for the design of our masthead, which we started using in Magic Bullet #6. This issue is Halloween themed and has a print run of 5,000. It will be hitting the streets shortly. Be sure to look for it around town and pick up this free publication.

Here are the contributors who made the final cut for print publication in Magic Bullet #7:

Sara Lindo

Rafer Roberts

S.G. Artley

Steve Loya

Mike Brace

John Shine

Anthony Jackson

Viga Gadson

Eric Gordon

Charles Brubaker

William Brown

Joshua Daniel

Jason E. Axtell

Joe Sutliff

Rob Anderson, Dafu Yu, E.T. Dollman, Paul Allor

Matt Dembicki

R.M. Rhodes, Evan Keeling

Art Hondros

Adam McGovern, Diana Leto

T.R. Logan

Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Matt Rawson

Andrew Cohen

Michael Cowgill

Kevin Panetta, Mike Short

David and Jon Milstein

Dale Rawlings

Rachel Scheer

Daniel Rosa, Jose Mazariegos

Paul Zdepski

Sean Fahey, Ben Passmore, Kel Nuttall

Nick Liappis, Brooke A. Allen

Zarmina Sulaiman, Jacob Warrenfeltz

Joe Carabeo, Carolyn Belefski

Thank you to all who submitted and we urge you to submit your comics to be considered in future editions.

I plan to bring several bundles to Bmore Into Comics next Saturday, August 24, 2013. We will also be distributing Magic Bullet to local establishments in DC, MD, and VA (places like book stores, restaurants, theaters, tattoo parlors, record shops, etc.).

D.C. Conspiracy members will be showcasing original Magic Bullet art at Artisphere in Arlington, VA from August 21 thru November 3 in the Works in Progress Gallery. There will be a meet and greet on September 21 from 6 PM to 8 PM where you will be able to connect with many of us in-person. Major props to Matt Dembicki and Evan Keeling for being instrumental in organizing the exhibit.

Magic Bullet contributors will be distributing the newspaper for free at many of their convention appearances in 2013. We will certainly have Magic Bullet #7 at Baltimore Comic-Con, Small Press Expo, New York Comic Con, and more!

Stay 'tooned for more information about distribution of Magic Bullet #7 as well as details about advertising and comic submission for the next issue. If you are interested in advertising and comic submission guidelines, connecting with us, or attending our meetings, visit magicbulletcomics.com for information.

It has been either a trick-or-treat editing this edition of Magic Bullet. I'll let you decide witch!

Your Pal,

Carolyn Belefski

Magic Bullet Exhibit at Artisphere

D.C. Conspiracy members will be showcasing original Magic Bullet art at Artisphere in Arlington, VA from August 21 thru November 3 in the Works in Progress Gallery. There will be a meet and greet on September 21 from 6 PM to 8 PM where you will be able to connect with many of us in-person and I plan on being there. Major props to Matt Dembicki and Evan Keeling for being instrumental in organizing the exhibit. 

For more information, visit: http://artisphere.com/calendar/event-details/Visual-Arts/COMICS-MAKING-STUDIO-WITH-MEMBERS-OF-THE-D-C-CONSPIRACY.aspx

Also worth mentioning since today is Andy Warhol's birthday, Artisphere will also be showcasing a Warhol exhibit during some of the same timeframe as the Magic Bullet exhibit and comics making studio. So that means our work will be alongside Warhol!

In additional Magic Bullet news, I'm currently editing the next issue, Magic Bullet #7, which will be Halloween themed. We hope to go to print soon and have the issue out later this month. Be on the lookout, Spooks.

Magic Bullet #6 Thank You Card

Here is the thank you card we organized and mailed to our advertisers and others who helped us print and distribute Magic Bullet #6. I wanted several people to contribute art and come together in an organic way for the card. The process included making small paper strips with the artist names pulled from a hat in order of the characters in the words 'Thank You!' The artists could make their assigned letter in any medium or style in a clever way as long as it is legible.

T - Carolyn Belefski, curls-studio.com
H - Rafer Roberts, plasticfarm.com
A - Matt Dembicki, matt-dembicki.blogspot.com
N - Jacob Warrenfeltz, kinginkcomics.com
K - Steve Loya, steveloya.com
Y - Andrew Cohen, howzitfunnies.blogspot.com
O - Evan Keeling, etkeeling.com
U - Matt Rawson, theglassistudio.com
! - William Brown, wmlbrown.com

The card came out great printed on glossy paper. For the inside, we collected digital signatures and most of the contributors were able to be a part of the project with their John Hancock. This is the first time we've sent out thank you cards. It's a good way to connect with the people and organizations who made our project happen.

We are currently accepting comic submissions and advertisers for Magic Bullet #7. This issue will be Halloween/Spooky/ Fall themed with August 1, 2013 as the deadline. For more information, please visit: http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com

Free Comic Book Day is Next Saturday - May 4, 2013

Several Magic Bullet contributors will be at nine locations next Saturday to celebrate Free Comic Book Day, a day when participating comic book specialty shops around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Please stop by to say hello and pick up a free copy on Magic Bullet #6.

Joe and I will be at Laughing Ogre Comics in Fairfax, VA. Hope to see you there.

MEET MAGIC BULLET #6 CONTRIBUTORS AT FCBD - MAY 4, 2013

Matt Dembicki, S. G. Artley, Michael Cowgill - Big Planet Comics in Vienna, VA
Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling  - Big Planet Comics on U Street, D.C.
Art Hondros - Big Planet Comics in Bethesda, MD
Troy-Jeffery Allen, Matt Rawson - Fantom Comics in Union Station, D.C.
Jacob Warrenfelt​z - Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, MD
Rafer Roberts, John Shine - Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg, MD
Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo - Laughing Ogre Comics in Fairfax, VA
Rob Anderson - Laughing Ogre in Lansdowne, VA
Adam McGovern - Dewey's Comic City in Madison, NJ

It's All Journalism - Podcast Interview

Matt Dembicki, Joe Carabeo, and I were interviewed by Michael O'Connell for his show, It's All Journalism. A fine show - I have listened to several episodes, but need to catch up on the more recent editions. We discussed self-publishing, comics, District Comics, and Magic Bullet (Washington, DC's comic newspaper). Joe and I also discussed our podcast, The Carolyn & Joe Show.

Michael also took us on a tour of WTOP, which was amazing. I love the constant news flow and the energy there. We recorded on a slow news day and the main headlines were Kristen Bell having a baby and a group of local teens spilling milk at area grocery stores. Even so, I was intrigued by the work environment and my inner Lois Lane came out.

Thanks to Michael of having us as guests. It was a fun time and I always enjoy chatting with him!

Take a listen here: http://itsalljournalism.com/time-to-do-it-yourself-publishing-podcasting-and-comics/

Magic Bullet #6 Announcement

Here's some news I haven't shared publicly on this blog. I am now the editor of Magic Bullet, starting with the upcoming Magic Bullet #6. Magic Bullet is Washington, DC’s free comics newspaper published by the DC Conspiracy, a comics creators’ collective in the capital region established in 2005. The publication is primarily distributed in the DC area, but with many of our contributing artists attending various shows across the country, Magic Bullet has a growing readership, as well as a growing print run of 5,000. 

I will be bringing Magic Bullet #6 to all shows I'll be attending in 2013, so be sure to pick up your free physical copy. We are also working on a downloadable issue, available for a small fee online. The Magic Bullet #6 newspaper will be hitting streets this spring. We are also arranging our contributors to appear at several locations during Free Comic Book Day on May 4. Stay 'tooned for more info about the downloadable issues and FCBD events.

For the past few months, I've been working hard to attract advertisers to pay for the upgraded print run of 5,000 and am excited to say we have achieved our goal. At the time of this writing, some of the advertisers include: Indie Comics Magazine, Jason E. Axtell, Franks and Beans, ComicsDC, Steve Artley, SPX, Society of Illustrators/MoCCA, Graphic Illusions Comics, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (thanks to Art Hondros for securing the ad), ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con, Shoff Promotions, Awesome Con DC, Matt Dembicki, Jim Coon, American Physical Society, Big Planet Comics (thanks to Matt Dembicki for securing the ad), Beyond Comics (thanks to Rafer Roberts for securing the ad), and more to come!

Thanks to the advertisers who have made this project possible and thanks to Rafer Roberts and Matt Dembicki for their input and guidance as former editors.

There is still time to contribute your comic to Magic Bullet #6. The due date for your one page comic submission is March 1, 2013. Please review our requirements and specs here: http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com/p/submissions.html

We look forward to your stories!

Thanks,

Carolyn

"District Comics" Teaching Recommendations

"District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC" was recently reviewed in Katie's Korner: Graphic Novel Review for Schools and Libraries. She cites it as one of he favorite all-time graphic novels and includes many lesson plans, discussion questions, and other teaching materials for students (craft, structure, plot, characters, themes, historical insight, etc.).

It was such an awesome opportunity to be a part of this book. Look for the story "Spytini" by Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo in "District Comics" and view all of Katie's teaching material here, from Diamond Bookshelf: http://www.diamondbookshelf.com/Home/1/1/20/836?articleID=131069

District Comics in 'A literary introduction to Washington'

District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC was featured on the cover of The Washington Post's Style section yesterday and included in their 'literary guide to Washington.'

You can read about it here along with their other book choices, including Carla Hall from The Chew, one of my favorite TV shows.

It's really an honor to be getting so much press coverage from The Washington Post. They also recently named it one of the best books of 2012 in addition to the Top 10 Graphics/Comics Reads of 2012.

Joe Carabeo and I worked on the story "Spytini" for District Comics about the Red Spy Queen, Elizabeth Bentley.

Thanks to Matt Dembicki for editing District Comics and thanks to Dale Rawlings for the top photo of the newspaper.

Anthology Books of 2012

Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson's and District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC were two anthologies I was glad to be a part of this year. I've already started to reminisce about 2012, even though we still have a little over one month left. The great thing about both of these projects is that they are a team effort.

Team Cul de Sac, lead by Chris Sparks, is a cartoon community dedicated to honoring Richard Thompson's comic strip, Cul de Sac. Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which led to him retire the strip this year. You can follow his blog with current updates on his brain stimulation surgery here. Being a part of this project, I was able to attend two book signing events, one of which was at One More Page in Arlington, VA and the other at Politics and Prose in DC. I was also able to take part in the panel at Baltimore Comic-Con. All the original art was auctioned off and so far the project has raised $100,951.42 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Here is a photo of the Obama family visiting the site of the first Team Cul de Sac book signing, One More Page. The Team Cul de Sac book is on the counter display. The Team Cul de Sac book was also recently included in Tom Spurgeon's The Comics Reporter 2012 Holiday Shopping Guide.

Here are some of my event recaps and other links related to Team Cul de Sac: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/search/label/Team%20Cul%20de%20Sac

If you are interested in purchasing Team Cul de Sac you can order directly from this link. We all wish Richard luck and look forward to any future creative projects he'll be a part of.


District Comics is another project I was able to contribute to this year. District Comics contains many stories about Washington, DC that you would not normally read about in a traditional history book. Matt Dembicki is the editor and he really got a great group of mostly local creators to structure something that had never been done before. We were able to attend book signings at One More Page in Arlington, VA and Locust Moon Comics and Movies in Philadelphia, PA.

I worked with Joe Carabeo on the 11-page "Spytini" story about Elizabeth Bentley "The Red Spy Queen" and her activities in Georgetown, primarily at the restaurant Martin's Tavern. To prepare for the book, Joe and I ate at the restaurant and did research on the visuals there and I took reference photos. I used a different art approach and a lot of people have remarked that it is a more mature style.

The Washington Post recently ranked District Comics as a Top 10 Graphic/Comics Reads of 2012. It makes for a great gift this holiday season and an honor to be recognized alongside with books like Drama by Raina Telegemeier, Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis, and Drawn Together by Aline and R. Crumb. District Comics was also recognized by winning a 2012 American Graphic Design Award from Graphic Design USA.

Here is a whole rundown of the press District Comics has stirred up this year:
Washington City Paper (cover story during the week of SPX)
Huffington Post
Comic Book Resources
Kirkus Book Reviews
Scripps Howards Foundation Wire
DCist
Panel Patter
Comic Related

Here are some previous blogs I wrote about District Comics: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/search/label/District%20Comics

Visit to Philly for District Comics Book Signing

Curls Studio traveled up to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday, September 22, 2012 for the "District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC" book signing at Locust Moon Comics & Movies. Since the event was at 5PM, we decided to make the most of the day and attended the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Fall Garden Festival when we got into town a little after noon. I also planned a full day of pierogie hunting.

At the festival, Carla Hall and Daphne Oz form ABC's The Chew were there giving a cooking demonstration. I have seen this show at the gym when I work out during my lunch break, so it was fun to see them in-person. There were tons of plants and other festivities and I came home adopting a Oreocereus trollii... you will be seeing more of him in the future.

For a late lunch, we went to Syrenka Luncheonette, a polish cafeteria-style eatery, on Richmond Street. We ordered mushroom soup, pierogies, and potato pancakes. The food was delicious, but if you go be prepared to dine in an outlet of the past. There were photos of Robin Williams up on the wall when he visited in 1998, but overall the place felt like going in a time machine back a few generations.

Afterwards we went to Krakus Market across the street and checked out the polish food and drink options. They even had polish gossip magazines and newspapers at the checkout. It seemed like carrots were a major influence in the drink flavors. We purchased a pack of frozen sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies to go, which we haven't tasted yet and are saving for a special occasion.

We couldn't get enough pierogies so from there so we headed to Pierogie Kitchen to get some dessert pierogies. We had been there before, so knew what to expect. The flavors there are more contemporary and experimental. Since we came in late in the day, the only dessert flavor left was sweet potato, so we tried that and quickly headed to the book signing.

Locust Moon is a great comic book store and has a high sense of design and appreciation for original art. There is even a gorgeous fish tank and fun things to look at everywhere and also a gallery space. The weather was a bit crazy that day, as earlier the temperature went from very hot to normal to extreme rain and wind into the night. Matt Dembicki provided free District Comics zipper pulls for anyone who wanted them. Food and drinks were also provided during the signing.

The creators who attended were Matt Dembicki, Rafer Roberts, Michael Cowgill, Kevin Rechin, Jason Rodriguez, Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, and Charles Fetherolf.

Thanks to Brady Russell and Amber Love and her friends for dropping by!

You can hear more about our trip to Philly in episode 193 of The Carolyn & Joe Show: http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/polski-and-pierogies/

Or view a ton of photos in the Curls Studio Facebook photo gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151166050197381.471116.50763422380&type=3

We'll be back in Philly on Sunday, December 16, 2012 for a comics event at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street). Mark your calendar and look for more details to come.

Audio - Team Cul de Sac Panel at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012

For episode 191 of The Carolyn & Joe Show podcast, we broadcasted recorded audio from the Team Cul de Sac Panel at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012.

When Richard Thompson, the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his friend Chris Sparks began a fundraising effort. With Richard's support, he asked others to donate artwork featuring the Cul de Sac characters for a Team Cul de Sac book with proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research.

Group photo by Bruce Guthrie: Carolyn Belefski, Dawn Griffin, Roger Langridge, Matt Dembicki, Donna Lewis, Shannon "SL" Gallant (in front with black shirt), Mike Rhode, Chris Sparks, Steve Conley, Joe Sutliff.

Take a listen: http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/team-cul-de-sac-panel-at-baltimore-comic-con-12/

District Comics book signing in Philly

Join us for a District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC signing event this Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 5PM. Join a handful of writers and artists who contributed to the new, 250-page comics anthology for an evening of drawing and signing and other cool stuff!

Partaking in the fun: Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, Rafer Roberts, Michael Cowgill, Charles Fetherolf, Kevin Rechin, Jason Rodriguez, and editor Matt Dembicki!


Joe Carabeo and I have a story in the book called "Spytini" about Elizabeth Bentley (The Red Spy Queen) and her hangouts around Georgetown, which include Matin's Tavern and Georgetown Pharmacy. Above is a preview of some of the pages in the story.

Order the book on Amazon for $16.47 now (list price $24.95).

Curls Studio will be at the book signing and hope to see you there! Here is the Facebook event page so you can RSVP and tell your friends.

Locust Moon Comics and Movies
34 South 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

XOXO,
Carolyn

Recap: District Comics Signing at One More Page

The massive team that helped to create District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC gathered last Sunday, August 19, 2012 for a book signing at One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia. Led by editor Matt Dembicki, the contributors to the book signed for two hours. The first 25 people to purchase books received one day pass vouchers to attend Small Press Expo in September.

There were over than 20 contributors on hand to sign, including: Rebecca Goldfield, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Tabitha Whissemore, Art Haupt, Jason Rodriguez, Andrew Cohen, Rand Arrington, Mal Jones, Mike Rhode, Rafer Roberts, Gregory Robison, Joe Carabeo, Carolyn Belefski, Jeff Barrus, Michael Cowgill, Dale Rawlings, Michael Brace, Steve Loya, Kevin Rechin, Paul Zdepski, Matt Dembicki, and Carol Dembicki

Here is what the Huffington Post had to say about District Comics, as well as an interview with Matt Dembicki: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/district-comics-matt-dembicki_n_1796591.html


The team of Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo (Curls Studio) wrote and illustrated the story "Spytini" about Elizabeth Bentley, an American spy for the Soviet Union from 1938 until 1945. She was known as "the Red Spy Queen" and frequently hung out at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. We hope you grab a copy of District Comics for yourself so you can read our tale about her. The book can be found at fine bookstores or you can order it now on Amazon, currently for $16.47 (list price $24.95).


There will be more upcoming events regarding District Comics, so please stay glued to this blog as more information is released. You can view more photos of the event on the Curls Studio Facebook page here.

Thanks to One More Page Books for hosting such a great event! Thanks to Drew Crowder for the last photo.

District Comics book signing on August 19, 2012

Join us for a District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC signing event on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 3PM. The collection, edited by Matt Dembicki, includes works by twenty-two local writers/artists and we'll try to gather as many as we can for this signing event.


Joe Carabeo and I have a story in the book called "Spytini" about Elizabeth Bentley (The Red Spy Queen) and her hangouts around Georgetown, which include Matin's Tavern and Georgetown Pharmacy. Above is a preview of some of the pages in the story.

Order the book on Amazon for $15.08 now (list price $24.95).

I will be at the book signing and hope to see you there! Here is the Facebook event page so you can RSVP and tell your friends.

One More Page Books
2200 North Westmoreland Street #101
Arlington, VA 22213

XOXO,
Carolyn

Meeting International Political Cartoonists at The National Press Club

Yesterday, June 20, 2011, Curls Studio attended the event, Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World at The National Press Club in Washington, DC.

The US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program is currently hosting a group of 20 political cartoonists from North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. During their three weeks in the America, they will meet with fellow cartoonists around the country and get a taste of American culture.


Washington, DC was their first stop and we (Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo) were on hand with fellow DC creators and comics enthusiasts (Rafer Roberts, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Donna Lewis, Matt Dembicki, Mike Rhode) to greet them. Rafer brought copies of Magic Bullet to share with them.


Some of the cartoonists we chatted with came from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. They were very excited for this opportunity and very interested in cartooning and meeting us. Their work was played in rotation on a monitor and it was very powerful commentary on their side of the world and global issues in general.

Many of these cartoonists put their life in the line for freedom of speech. It humbled me to know halfway around the world there are cartoonists visually paving the road for freedom.


I have never been to a gathering of so many international cartoonists before and I'm still interested in learning more about other cultures. Maybe there is an exchange program? Or can we go on a USO tour to represent America and Curls Studio? I'd love to do on a USO tour one day.

More photos from this event can be seen on the Curls Studio Facebook Page.

Here is a link to Joe's Tumblr about this event experience: http://goastray.tumblr.com/post/6775818019/curls-studio-and-other-great-dc-cartoonist-greet

Washington City Paper: The Year 2010 in Cartoons

Mike Rhode posted his "Year in Cartoons" for Washington City Paper. He writes:

Other papers may pick what they think were the best cartoons of the year. Here at the City Paper, we're doing it differently. We've asked some local cartoonists to pick their favorite piece that they made over the past year and share it with us.

David Hagen, Steven Artley, Michael Cavna, Donna Lewis, Carolyn Belefski, Nick Galifianakis, Kevin 'Kal' Kallagher, Ann Telnaes, Molly Lawless, Matt Dembicki, Joe Sutliff, Richard Thompson and Matt Wuerker are all featured.


Read the full article here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/27/arts-in-review-the-year-in-cartoons

Recap and Film: In Between the Panels

On November 17, the Women’s National Book Association, DC Chapter sponsored "In Between the Panels: DC’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene" – a discussion on the Washington, DC area graphic novel scene. The panel included Carolyn Belefski (myself), Molly Lawless, Matt Dembicki, and Mike Rhode.

Comicsgirl and DC Cultural Events Examiner are media that I know covered the event. In addition, Astray Productions graciously filmed the full panel and posted it on YouTube. Below is part 1 of 6 and all the parts link to each other on YouTube.



Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x26ZBYIl5Oc
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft8mAYB_Yyc
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pejmI3Q8Upo
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwFoBZxVTPY
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPp4Uc5WNqk
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOoTnaoi1c4

I had a great time discussing comics that evening and we had a crowd size better than most expected. The audience was able to purchase books after the panel and I got to meet a handful of new people after the event. "Black Magic Tales, Volume 1: The Adventures of Roxy and Dean, World Famous Criminals" was my the top seller at this event. One guy in particular came up to me, but I got pulled away into another conversation, so I missed out on talking to him... so if you are that guy, please email your question to me at info@curls-studio.com. I apologize for not being able to finish our conversation.

The event was wonderful because we got to educate the general public more about comics and what goes into creating them. I hope a lot of people walked away with a fuller view of comics as a storytelling medium.

NOV 17 Comics Panel at Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Streets

Hi everyone! I was asked to be on a panel and now I'm asking you to join me. Please pass this on on anyone you think would be interested. Did I mention - it's FREE to attend. ALL are invited to...

In Between the Panels: DC’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene
Wednesday, November, 17, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Streets, Washington, DC
Cost: FREE and open to the public!

The Women’s National Book Association, DC Chapter will sponsor a panel discussion on the DC graphic novel scene. The panel for the event, to be held at Busboys & Poets in Mount Vernon, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., will include Carolyn Belefski, Molly Lawless, Matt Dembicki, and Mike Rhode. The event is free and open to the public.

Carolyn Belefski is the mastermind behind the web comic Curls. She is also one of the creators of several other comic books: Kid Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes, and an indefatigable (nightly) poster to her blog, Sketch Before Sleep. Her work has appeared in USA WEEKEND Magazine, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Living Magazine, Magic Bullet, CROQ Zine, and The Pulse on COMICON.com. Ms. Belefski is a nominee for the Kim Yale Award for Most Talented Newcomer for 2010.

Matt Dembicki is a DC-based cartoonist whose work includes the award-winning nature parable Mr. Big, The Great White Shark Story, Xoc, and The Brewmaster’s Castle, about legendary DC brewer Christian Heurich. His latest anthology, Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection, has received rave reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal and has been nominated as one of the Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. In addition to his own work, Dembicki also hosts kids’ workshops in the DC area and beyond on making comic books.

Molly Lawless, a Boston native, moved to the DC area in 2005. She has self-published mini comics as well as a compilation, Infandum! Ad Infinitum. She is currently working on a full-length graphic novel for McFarland Publishing titled Hit by Pitch. She is an avid blogger and includes stories about her family in her daily posts.

Mike Rhode, panel moderator, is co-author of the comics research bibliography, editor of Exhibition and Media Reviews for the International Journal of Comic Art, and a contributing writer for Hogan’s Alley. In 2008, he was named Best (Comics) Art Blogger by the Washington City Paper for his Comics DC blog. Rhodes edited Harvey Pekar: Conversations, a book of interviews with the late underground comic book writer and author of American Splendor published by the University Press of Mississippi. He has written for the Comics Journal and was selected as an RFK Journalism Awards judge for the editorial cartoon division of Comics Journal in 2009 and 2010. Rhodes currently writes about comics for the City Paper.

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