Baltimore Comic-Con is October 28-30, 2022

Baltimore Comic-Con 2022

Visit Curls Studio at Table K17 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 28 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 29 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 30 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table K17. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. This year we are offering a special if you purchase $5 or more -- you can select a free print (five print options to select from). You can also earn a free print is you correctly guess who I'm cosplaying as on Sunday!

We are prepped for Halloween and will have our two Cartoonists Draw Blood anthologies we produced (Trick or Treat / Monsters). You can also bid on Carolyn Belefski's original art made for the Jill Thompson "Scary Godmother" themed yearbook as well as get your book signed at Booth K17 for the scavenger hunt. The Hero Initiative Art Auction takes places Saturday at 5:00 PM in Rooms 339-342.

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

As they say: I'll see you in Baltimore!

Ranger Rick, April 2022

Look for the April 2022 issue of Ranger Rick to see my illustrations printed in this children's nature magazine that is published by the United States National Wildlife Federation.

I did art for an article about the discovery of giant penguin fossil in New Zealand by children who spotted what they thought was a rusty propeller. The two smaller penguins looking up at the big penguin are also from New Zealand (yellow-eyed penguin and little penguin). I figured to put them since they are from the same location and make them specific types to show the scale of the giant penguin. 

The other illustration I did showcases how worms don't have ears, but can hear through their skin! I had a lot of fun with that by making the worm groovy as a gummy while wearing three headphones and jamming to music.

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2021

We had a fun time at Baltimore Comic-Con 2021, a three day show which wrapped on Sunday. Since it's what Curls Studio likes to call a "transitional" year, much like New York Comic Con was with the requirements of temperature checks, vaccination (or a negative test for those age four or younger), and masks -- the goal was to have fun and enjoy our time together.

I participated in the exclusive "Trick or Treat" BCC Yearbook and got to meet the person who pledged on my original Curls Halloween art. He came to the table after the auction with the piece and took a photo with me, so that was cool. I also premiered my new "Emoji Comics" workshop (which came with sign language interpreter).

Thank you to all the guests, retailers, volunteers, fans, and everyone else that made the show possible. Mark your calendars now for next year October 28-30, 2022!

Baltimore Comic-Con is October 22-24, 2021

Baltimore Comic-Con 2021

Visit Curls Studio at Table K14 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 22 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 23 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 24 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table K14. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. This year we are offering a special if you purchase $5 or more -- you can select a free print (five print options to select from).

On Saturday at 4:00 PM I'll be doing "Emoji Comics" workshop at Kids Love Comics pavilion. Then directly after at 5:00 PM in Room 325 you can bid on my original Curls Halloween art at the live Art Auction.

I'll be signing the exclusive "Trick or Treat" BCC Yearbooks at the Curls Studio table as well.

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!

Exhibition Book "A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson"

Here is a photo of the "A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson" exhibition book. Thanks to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, California for inviting me to contribute original art that went up for auction last year to raise money for the museum (along with Patrick McDonnell, Lynn Johnston, Steve Martin, Harry Bliss, Mo Willems, Dana Simpson, and more). The full color exhibition catalog is available for $24.99 here: https://www.cartoonart.org/store.

In other Cartoon Art Museum news... John Oliver’s show Last Week Tonight is going to donate $10,000 grants to five American museums to host and exhibit that includes works from Oliver’s recently-cultivated “weird art” collection. The five museums that will be receiving the money are the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota, the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, the William V. Banks Broadcast Museum and Media Center in Detroit, and the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco.

A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson

The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, California asked me to contribute original art for "A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson" as homage to Bill Watterson and his seminal comic strip creation Calvin and Hobbes.

Bidding is currently open on eBay for the next two days and the auction will support the museum’s ongoing public programming and exhibitions.

The Cartoon Art Museum will publish a full color exhibition catalog collection all of the artwork created for this auction, and will present a public exhibition of the pieces in March 2020.

Direct link to bid  is https://ebay.us/wXeB3f and you can learn more about the project here: https://www.cartoonart.org/press-releases/2019/12/4/a-boy-and-his-tiger-a-tribute-to-bill-watterson

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2019

Add another Baltimore Comic-Con to the books (and hopefully another curly W in the books tonight in game one of the Word Series)! Not just any Baltimore Comic-Con -- we celebrated the 20th birthday of this wonderful show that Curls Studio has been exhibiting at since 2007! It does truly get better each and every year.

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 Blacksad, one of my all-time favorite comics about a black cat private eye. This is BCC Yearbook number eight (my third -- I got to contribute to the Archie Yearbook in 2016 and Strangers In Paradise in 2018).

The highlight of the show for me was meeting Blacksad artist Juanjo Guarnido and having him sign my Blacksad books (I have them all in English). I had met him once before years ago at NYCC, but I didn't know he was going to be there and didn't have my books for him to sign, so I was prepared to meet him again more formally this past weekend.

Thanks to the Kids Love Comics section, Baltimore Comic-Con staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees for making this event so memorable. We hope to be back next year with new comics!

Baltimore Comic-Con is October 18-20, 2019

Baltimore Comic-Con 2019
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3021 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 18 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 19 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 20 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 3021. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us.

I'll be signing Blacksad yearbooks and you can bid on the original art this Saturday at 5:00 PM.

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!

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #19

Since it's #NationalComicBookDay we thought it would be a good day to announce Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #19, written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski.

Our story "Saturday Night" introduces us to "The Baseball Bats," a high school girl gang, and continues the adventures of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (plus their cat, Black Magic).

Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-19 so far).

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #18

Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, has published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #18, written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski.

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A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 16, 2019 at 1:50pm PDT

In Magic Bullet #18, which was just released, we follow the desires of "Big Shot" as he attempts to hunt down the treasured The Jade Dragon sculpture. We are also introduced to "The Twins" and other villains and thieves from our universe. The print run for this issue was 3,000.

Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-18 so far).

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).

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!

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!

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #15 and #16

Catching up on a bit of old news -- hopefully it may be actual news to someone reading this blog! Magic Bullet, a comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area has published our Black Magic Tales stories. Magic Bullet #15 came out in the fall of 2017. Our story "Vacation" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (and their cat, Black Magic).

The printed newspaper page of Curls Studio's latest Black Magic Tales story -- look for it in Magic Bullet #16. Our story #Award Season" was written by @astrayj, illustrated by @carolynbelefski, inspired by the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein allegations. #magicbullet #blackmagictales #comics #metoo #roxymonroe #deancasanova

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 10, 2018 at 12:33pm PDT

The latest issue of Magic Bullet #16 premiered in February 2018. Our story "Award Season" was inspired by the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein allegations. Both stories were written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski. Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Black Magic Tales has been published in every addition of Magic Bullet. The publication started with a print run of 500 in August of 2010. The print run for issue #16 was 4,000.

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 22-24, 2017

Baltimore Comic-Con 2017
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3028 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, September 22 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 23 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 24 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Stop by to see Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con. We will be located in the Kids Love Comics pavilion at Table 3028. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We will have the Curls book collection available for purchase and we will premiere the "Toast of the Town" hard enamel pin. I will be doing sketch commissions and we'll have some 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

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

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #13 and #14

A bit of catching up to do in the blog as it seems I've neglected to mention that a Black Magic Tales story called "Suggestion Box" was published in Magic Bullet #13 back in August of last year. The issue was released in preparation for the Small Press Expo and distributed all around the Washington, DC region.

The latest issue of Magic Bullet #14 premiered in time for the Trump Inauguration and Women's March this past weekend. Our story "We Did It!" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova. Both stories were written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski. Be on the lookout for your free copy!

Black Magic Tales returns! New story "We Did It!" (written by @astrayj with art by @carolynbelefski) is printed in Magic Bullet #14 comics anthology -- look for this free publication around the DC, VA, MD areas. #magicbullet #blackmagictales #comics #art #anthology #newspaper #publication #curlsstudio #dc

A photo posted by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Jan 25, 2017 at 6:27pm PST

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2016

A photo posted by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Sep 3, 2016 at 7:29am PDT

Curls Studio had a great time at Baltimore Comic-Con this past weekend.

On Saturday morning I led the first workshop of the day in the Kids Love Comics section. "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol" is the seminar where we combine design and comics to create our own visual identity. The children were all very smart and I enjoyed interviewing them on the mic where they got to present their personal logos.

The exclusive Archie Yearbook was available for purchase and many people came by our table for autograph collecting. Happy accident that my piece had a pretty cool space on Dean's car for a signature to go.

I was able to have some fun on Instagram (follow me @CarolynBelefski) and play with their new "stories" feature to take snapshots of my convention experience. I did not get out to collect signatures for my Archie book or see the show as a "fan" because I wanted to spend time at the table and be a "pro," but I was able to arrive early to look thru some old comics and discover a comic from the early 1980s called Fish Police. That was my big discovery of the convention! I also caught a very brief glimpse of Mickie James, a former WWE wrestler. Joe got to meet Hope Larson and got a few hand sketches in his sketchbook.

Curls Studio premiered a "first taste" of our new comic book series, French Fry Club. We also gave away free Curls coloring sheets and the latest issue of Magic Bullet #13.

Saturday evening ended with a fire alarm about two hours before the convention ended. Everyone was instructed to leave the Convention Center and fire trucks came. It was not a prank. Something happened with ozone leaking. I'm glad the authorities were able to handle it pretty quickly, but once we were invited back in many exhibitors and the majority of attendees did not fill the halls. Needless, to say the last hour was light because of this incident. Sunday's flow was better and Baltimore was back!

Our next convention is Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland on September 17 and 18, 2016. Look for our table location and map on this blog soon. Hope to see you there.

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 2-4, 2016

Baltimore Comic-Con 2016
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3011 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, September 2 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 3 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 4 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Stop by to see Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con. We will be located in the Kids Love Comics pavilion at Table 3011. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We will have the Curls book collection available for purchase and more. I will be doing sketch commissions and we'll have some other surprises up our sleeves!

On Saturday at 11:00 AM I'll be leading a live demo "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol" merging design skills with comics to make personal visual branding.

I'm also excited to be a part of Baltimore Comic-Con's 2016 Yearbook, celebrating Archie and the creators appearing at the show. Here is a peek at the lineart for my contribution featuring Curls Studio characters from Black Magic Tales (Roxy Monroe, Dean Casanova, and their cat Black Magic). The book of art features interpretations of characters from Archie Comics with several creator-owned properties. When you buy the book, you'll get a list of over 75 Yearbook contributors and their table numbers. If you succeed in your hunt, you can get your choice of bonus prints! The book will be available at the Baltimore Comic-Con for $29.99 in the Exclusives Booth in the lobby.

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 soon at Baltimore Comic-Con!

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #12

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper hit the streets a few weeks ago. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova, along with reporter Sallie Ginger, in "Black Magic Tales: Breaking News." 

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #11

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper hit the streets earlier this year. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova in "Black Magic Tales: Cashing Out."