Recap: Curls Studio's Year of 2021

Curls Studio calls 2021 a transitional year, as nothing was certain and we went with the flow of change. Last year all the comic conventions were canceled due to the pandemic, but this year we got to exhibit at a few in-person events during the second half of the year (Awesome Con in DC, New York Comic Con, Baltimore Comic-Con, and Southern Maryland Comic Con). I was selected to be a part of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) for the first time, as a virtual appearance. So comic conventions happened thanks to amazing staff and volunteers and we applaud them for making it possible!

Other major occurrences that happened was that I somehow had the energy to run three successful Kickstarter campaigns in one year (Banana Bandana™, Cicada hard enamel pin, and Santa Turtle hard enamel pin). I really enjoyed celebrating the periodical cicadas this year (we won't see them again until 2048!). I am proud of all the projects we brought to life.

Sporadically throughout the year I continued Carolyn's Creative Challenge with a few new project prompts.

In July I served as a Rambassador for VCU Alumni Night at a Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game.

I was a guest on the Generation GC podcast and had a great time talking about the band Good Charlotte (and yes, I visited La Plata High School for a second time during my stint in Waldorf for Southern Maryland Comic Con). 

Another cool thing that happened this year is a Wall Street Journal reporter reached out to me for an interview about Color of the Year and Pantone -- I got quoted in the article for both print and online editions.

Also along the lines of publishing, Black Magic Tales was recently printed in the new Magic Bullet #20 comics newspaper.

Not too sure what 2022 will bring. In many ways 2021 can be viewed at as worse than 2020, but then there is an optimistic side that could be viewed as it can only get better from here. The best thing I can hope for you is that you be safe and happy -- take good care of yourself by eating well and exercising. I want us to be around for the next Cicada uprising in 2048 and the years beyond. That's something to live for!

Southern Maryland Comic-Con 2021 is this Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 13, 2021 I'll be a guest at Southern Maryland Comic-Con from 10 AM to 4PM. The last time I exhibited at this show was in 2019 (our last show before the pandemic shut down). I'll be happy to be back in Waldorf Worldwide at Capital Clubhouse 3033 Waldorf Market Place Waldorf, MD 20603.

There will be a costume cosplay contest at 2PM. This is a great opportunity to meet local artists and purchase unique items for your holiday shopping list.

Recap: Southern Maryland Comic-Con 2019

This past Saturday, November 9, 2019 Curls Studio exhibited at Southern Maryland Comic-Con in Waldorf, MD. We had a fine time meeting everyone and talking about our comics.

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Only 31 books will be made and they are now available in the online store! 2.75" x 4.25" mini book showcases all the “HijINKs!” I created during Inktober 2019. Each book has a one-of-a-kind HijINK! on the front cover the and is signed and numbered. The book premiered last Saturday at Southern Maryland Comic-Con and is now available for purchase at www.CarolynBelefski.com/store. #inktober #inkmaster #inktober2019 #hijinks #ink #southernmarylandcomiccon #somdcc #experimental #book #art

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Nov 11, 2019 at 12:17pm PST

I debuted the Inktober 2019 HijINKs! book that features all 31 experimental ink creations I made from ink, water, a straw, and white gel pen. Each book has a one-of-a-kind HijINK! on the front and is signed and numbered -- only 31 books will be made. The books are now available for purchase at www.carolynbelefski.com/store.

Since we were minutes away from La Plata High School, I took a trip and used the opportunity to visit the school where many of the members of Good Charlotte attended. Back at the convention, I enjoyed viewing the cosplay costume contest and we had a fun time. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

Southern Maryland Comic-Con is this Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 9, 2019 is Southern Maryland Comic-Con. Curls Studio will be there and we hope you can join us from 10 AM to 5 PM. 

The last time we exhibited at this show was Saturday, November 9, 2013, so we are happy to be back in Waldorf Worldwide after six years on the dot!

We will also have some of the latest copies of Magic Bullet #19 available for free. 

Admission is $12 presale on the website and children ages 10 and under get in free!

Capital Clubhouse

3033 Waldorf Market Place

Waldorf, MD 20603

Southern Maryland Comic-Con is this Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 9, 2013 is Southern Maryland Comic-Con. Curls Studio will be there and we hope you can join us from 10 AM to 6 PM.

At 3 PM we will be recording a live Carolyn and Joe Show podcast!

The Carolyn and Joe Show Podcast Presents: The Art of the Podcast
For over 4 years and 250 plus weekly episodes, filmmaker Joe Carabeo and cartoonist Carolyn Belefski get together to record the Carolyn and Joe Show, becoming one of the most radical and fun podcasts ever to have hit the stream. What started out as a experiment, spawned into an unfiltered, unapologetic, no stone left unturned, no subject too taboo, weekly documentation of the lives of two people trying to make it in this twisted world. In “The Art of the Podcast” Carolyn and Joe will attempt to do several things, give you a peek into the madness of their process, answer questions about podcasting, and attempt to record a show live on the spot. Anything can happen really.

There will also be awesome guests at Southern Maryland Comic-Con including voice actors John DiMaggio (Adventure Time, The Simpsons, Futurama) and Jim Cummings (Darkwing Duck, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger).

I will also have some of the very last copies of Magic Bullet #7 available for free. Steve Conley, who did the cover, will also be at Southern Maryland Comic-Con.

Admission is $10 at the door and children ages 10 and under get in free!

Capital Clubhouse
3033 Waldorf Market Place
Waldorf, MD 20603

Recap: Southern Maryland Comic Con 2012

On Saturday, July 7th, 2012 I attended my first Southern Maryland Comic Con run by Awesome Conventions. The venue was the roller skating rink at Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Maryland. It is always interesting to see where comic shows are held. I have exhibited in a bowling alley, a fire station, dirty bars, a church, a gay community center, and now... a roller skating rink! It was rad. The temperatures got to be a little high (around 100 degrees) but with the ice skating rink next door, you could walk by and catch a blast of cool.


It was my first show where I had to commute, set-up, table, and more on my own since Joe is on tour with The Beach Boys to document their 50 year anniversary. Joe wished he could be there for Curls Studio, but I told him to take the opportunity as it is once-in-a-lifetime and a chance he has earned by working many years to gain recognition in the industry.


I was a panelist on "Webcomics Discussion" supporting my comic strip, Curls. The other panelists were Steve Conley (Bloop) and Chris Flick (Capes-n-Babes). The panel was moderated by Fantastic Forum's Ulysses Campbell. Audio was recorded and you can listen to the full panel here as it is also this week's "Carolyn and Joe Show" podcast: http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/webcomics-now/

I also got to judge the "Art Challenge" with Laura Inglis and Matt Slay. There were two categories: one for the younger kids with coloring book pages, the other with plan white paper where older kids could create their own vision. It was a little heard to watch some of the kids who didn't win at the end, but hopefully they will continue to create art. It reminded me of applying to the VCU Design Department at the end of Art Foundation and seeing some of the applicants who didn't get into the program. You can read about my experience that year in this comic: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2008/07/foundation-year.html

Southern Maryland Comic Con was an enjoyable show with many great artists to meet and activities to do. A lot of people dressed up for the costume contest and you could tell everyone was having a fun time. I am excited I got to meet a whole bunch of new people and hope to be back again in the future.

More event photos can be scene on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151016658442381.447678.50763422380&type=3

Thanks to Fantastic Forum for the photo of the "Webcomics Discussion" panel.

Southern Maryland Comic Con on July 7, 2012

Curls Studio will be at Southern Maryland Comic Con on Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 10AM to 5PM at Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Maryland. Admission is $10 and children age 10 and under get in free. Drawings will be held every hour for free stuff and Convention Cash. Hold on to your tickets!


Visit Curls Studio at table A3 and check out all the goodness in the event schedule here.

I was asked to take part in a panel at noon called "Webcomic Discussion" - on the stage on the left side of the room. The creators of Bloop, Curls, and Capes n Babes – Steve Conley, Carolyn Belefski, and Chris Flick, respectively – will discuss their methods and experiences creating some of today’s top webcomics.

Visit the Curls Studio Facebook page to snag a $2 off coupon in the "Photos" secton.

RSVP on Facebook here.

Hope to see you there! Waldorf Worldwide, y'all.



XOXO,
Carolyn