Curls Studio had a fabulous time yesterday kicking off the Maryland STEAM Art Competition. We got to meet a lot of cool science people and learn more about the different fields of study and opportunities to create for young scientists. We went into the STEAM Bus from Howard County Library System, talked to representatives from the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, saw VR in front of our table, and took part in some spin art.
One of the activity tables was doing something similar to my HijINKs! Inktober project from 2019 where you blow in a straw to move paint around on paper. It seems I have been injecting STEAM into my artwork for awhile and I believe that is the direction to head toward. If you look at many of my #CarolynsCreativeChallenge projects that started in 2020, you can see unplanned STEAM influence. Even Curls had a whole storyline where she was a Mad Scientist many years ago!
I also represent National Cartoonists Society (I'm the Washington, DC chapter chair) and handed out brochures and postcards about the organization and it's 27 Club, a young professionals program for cartoonists.
More photos will be on my Instagram (@CarolynBelefski) Feed and Stories shortly.
Thank you to Maryland STEM Festival for having us. We hope to do more STEAM activities in the future. Our next tour stop is Small Press Expo next weekend (September 17-18) in Bethesda, Maryland.
How do you cultivate your creativity? My answer to this question is published in UPPERCASE -- a beautiful quarterly print magazine inspired by craft, design, and illustration. Issue 53 focuses on flowers, plants, and gardens that inspire creativity. I'm happy to be a small seed flourishing and always ready for growth.
My answer focuses on the self-imposed projects and prompts I've done over the years including 24-Hour Comics Day, Make 100 from Kickstarter (Sad Fish, Blue Rose Enamel Pin, Banana Bandana, Thank You Mom Enamel Pin), #CarolynsCreativeChallenge, Inktober (31 Turtles, Dessert Desert Creatures, HijINKs!), Sketch Before Sleep (my 365 project), Hourly Comics Day, ABCs of Country Music (my typography project), and more.
Leave a comment on how you cultivate your creativity!
I’m excited to see what 2020 will bring. Here is a recap of some of the highlights Curls Studio experienced in 2019.
We exhibited at Awesome Con (my kids workshop got a mention from The Washington Post), NCSFest, Fairfax Comic Con, Small Press Expo, Baltimore Comic-Con, and Southern Maryland Comic Con. We also celebrated Free Comic Book Day at our local store.
NCSFest and the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Weekend in Huntington Beach, CA was a good experience for me (recap blog here). Not only was it the first time I’d ever exhibited and sold comics on the west coast, but it was also my first trip flying by myself and branching out into the world in that sense of solo. I had been to events were I had to drive and set-up myself, but never flight. It also felt cool to sell comics steps away from the Pacific Ocean — and to relate that to the third Asbury Park Comic Con show back in 2013 (recap blog here), where we sold comics at the legendary Asbury Park Convention center looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. Curls Studio went Coast To Coast in 2019!
At the 90 Years of Popeye exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center it was fun to see my art on the wall and later auctioned off thru Heritage Auctions with proceeds benefiting the NCS Foundation.
I got to participate in the NCS "Cartooning For Kids" program and draw at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. It was such a rewarding experience!
Because of the trip to California, I was able to meet and chat with Disney artists Elizabeth Watasin and Floyd Norman — something that I never dreamed would have happened!
Back at the home base, Black Magic Tales was published in issues #18 and #19 of Magic Bullet, a comics anthology newspaper. We have been in every issue, so that is always an exciting constant.
At Baltimore Comic-Con I got to meet Blacksad artist Juanjo Guarnido and participate in the Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook with my original Blacksad art, which was auctioned off at the show with proceeds benefiting Hero Initiative.
I completed my third Inktober prompt by inking a small image every day during the month of October with my theme of “HijINKs!” The project was very experimental and liquid.
Also during October, I organized the seventh 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." The results of the blood drive were fantastic: 43 total donors, 13 first time donors, 42 units collected, 126 potential lives saved.
I ended the year by doing a few commissions for holiday cards and designing a film title for the comedy Netfins & Chill. I continued to update my comic strip, Curls.
If you want to read more and see photos of the experiences we've had in 2019, please look in the blog archives. We hope to create more for you in the years to come.
Happy New Year from Curls Studio. Thanks for your support!
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.
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.
Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. I've participated for the past two years and I figured, why stop there? Let's go for a third year.
My first Inktober in 2017 had a theme of "Turtles," where I drew 31 turtles on 2.5x3.5" art cards. I've sold the original art at comic conventions. I also took all the illustrations and made them into a small book, which is available for purchase in my store: www.carolynbelefski.com/store
My second Inktober in 2018 had a theme of "Dessert Desert Creatures," where I drew 31 creatures on 2.5x3.5" art cards. I've sold the original art at comic conventions and online. I again took all the illustrations and made them into a small book, which is also available for purchase in the online store.
This year I decided to do something completely different and experimental -- something I've been calling "HijINKs!" as the theme. Using only water, a straw, Pelikan "Brilliant Black" ink (I believe is from my Grandfather) that is turning blue when it dries, and a Sakura white jelly roll pen -- I'm making art 2.5x3.5" art cards. Instead of waiting until the project ends, I've been posting them to the store as each day releases, so potential customers have the opportunity to purchase the originals, first-come, first-serve daily.
Follow along on my Instagram (@CarolynBelefski) to see how the project progresses. I can't wait to see what each day of Inktober brings!
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.
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.
It's been a landmark year of 2017 for Curls Studio creators Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski, so let's celebrate with a year-in-review recap blog post!
We made several comic show appearances this year with a total of 20 days behind the table exhibiting comics. We exhibited at Washington Wizards Collecti-Con, MoCCA Arts Festival, and KidsCon at Fantom Comics for the first time. 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 small show at a used book store and got to meet a lot of fun personalities there!
In February, Carolyn was asked to be a guest artist at the National Archives Sleepover. She presented her "Design Your Own Superhero" activity and had loads of fun learning about history.
In May, Carolyn became a national board member of National Cartoonists Society! She is also continuing to chair the Washington, DC chapter of NCS. She has organized programs since 2012, including Cartoonists Draw Blood with American Red Cross and helped with "cARToons" exhibits and other activities.
In October, Carolyn and Joe both took part in Inktober for the first time. They both drew with ink and posted a new image every day during the month on their socials. Joe's theme was Alfred Hitchcock and Carolyn's theme was Turtles.
Also during October, Carolyn organized the fifth annual Cartoonists Draw Blood drive with Troy-Jeffrey Allen. Donors gave blood to the American Red Cross and then the Washington, DC chapter of National Cartoonists Society and other local cartoonists drew for the donors as a "thank you." The event was a success and we saved many lives. We also created our first Cartoonist Draw Blood comic book anthology, "Trick or Treat."
Black Magic Tales was published in Magic Bullet, Washington, DC's comics anthology. Issues #14 and #15 were released this year.
In December, Carolyn and Joe embarked on another monthly challenge: they created PODCEMBER and recorded a fresh podcast each day during the month of December. You can listen to all the episodes at www.carolynandjoeshow.com.
If you want to know more information about any of the experiences we've had this year, please look in the blog archives, as each event was recapped with photos. Our lives were changed this year and we've stayed productive. We hope to create more for you in 2018 and all the years to come.
March 22 • CulpeperCon (Keynote Speaker)
April 4-6 • Awesome Con
May 18 • Comic Logic Spring Lot Con
June 28-29 • Tidewater Comicon
August 23-24 • Fairfax Comic Con
September 13-14 • Small Press Expo
October 9-12 • New York Comic Con
October 17-19 • Baltimore Comic-Con
October 26 • Comic Logic Fall Lot Con
November 15 • Local Author Book Festival
Donate to Curls Studio
If you enjoy Curls Studio products, please donate to keep us motivated and in action! We travel locally in DC, MD, and VA... but also need your support to pay for printing costs and travel expenses for events like New York Comic Con. Your help is needed and appreciated. You never know what could come your way if you donate to Curls Studio.
Carolyn Belefski creates and publishes original comics and illustrations. Carolyn writes and draws the comic strip Curls. She also collaborates with writer Joe Carabeo on the comic books Kid Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes.
In 2010, Curls was nominated for the Friends of Lulu Kim Yale Award to recognize women in cartooning. In 2013 and 2014 Carolyn was voted Best Visual Artist runner-up for Washington City Paper’s Best of D.C. awards.
Carolyn became a National Cartoonists Society member in 2012, and is currently serving as a Washington, DC chapter Co-chair. With NCS, she started “Cartoonists Draw Blood” in Washington, DC by connecting with the American Red Cross, gathering local cartoonists, and organizing a blood drive where blood donors receive a sketch from a cartoonist.
Carolyn serves as editor-in-chief of Magic Bullet, Washington, DC’s comics newspaper anthology.
Carolyn has exhibited at New York Comic Con, Baltimore Comic-Con, Awesome Con, Small Press Expo, Pittsburgh Comic Arts Festival, Philly Alternative Comic Con, and many other comic conventions and art fairs.
CONTACT
info(at)curls-studio.com
