Another Curls Avatar

Here's a second avatar of my character, Curls. If you missed the first one you can find it here.

Feel free to use my Curls icon as your social media avatar to spread the love of the Curls comic strip.

"Like" Curls Studio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curls-Studio/50763422380

"Follow" me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CarolynBelefski

"Follow" me on Tumblr: http://carolynbelefski.tumblr.com

And meet us this weekend at Baltimore Comic-Con (Artist Alley Table #A211) - or our other confirmed upcoming appearances - SPX, Intervention, and NYCC.

Recap: Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con 2011

Last Sunday, August 14, was Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con. The evening before kicked off PACC festivities with the inaugural Grawlix Awards at Cha-Cha'Razzi hosted by Philly Comix Jam and Secret Prison alum, Bob Pistilli.

The Grawlix Awards included drinks and mingling with presentation of the awards, which were old Peanuts collections by Charles Schulz. Rafer Roberts won in the category of "Best Graphic Novel" for his book, Plastic Farm.


The actual PACC event on Sunday was similar to last year, however I believe the organizers made better space decisions and it felt like more exhibitors were set up with the use of the stage and other clever methods to fit as many tables as possible into the space provided. The weather was raining off and on throughout the day, but crowds were always walking thru the aisle. If anything during the heaviest rains more people were inside for coverage. Although I do wonder if the weather was better if more people would have showed up. Last years show was incredibly hot without air conditioning, so it certain aspects you are always fighting against mother nature.


PACC was fun because I got to meet a few people I had only talked to before on Twitter. I also got to work on a couple great sketchbook commissions. One was a alphabet book, where the letter I landed on was "L" and did an illustration for The Legettes. It was also fun to hang out with Rafer, Kevin Czapiewski, and Brady Russell.


I drew a cheerleader for Philly Comix Jam at the very end of the show.

30 photos from PACC 2011 can be found on the Curls Studio Facebook page.

Baltimore Comic-Con is August 20-21, 2011

Baltimore Comic-Con 2011
Visit Curls Studio at Table A211 in Artist Alley
Saturday, August 20 -- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, August 21 -- 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 at the front endcap in Artist Alley at Table A211 -- That's easy to remember: 211 in 2011 -- That's right! 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


Just by browsing the Guest List I saw there will be other amazing people to meet there like Jeff Smith, Stan Lee, Carla Speed McNeil, Jimmy Palmiotti, Cliff Chiang, Frank Camuso, Bryan JL Glass, Jimmy Gownley, Amanda Conner, Mike Maihack, Thom Zahler, Dean Haspiel, Frank Cho, J. Scott Campbell, John Gallagher, Scott Kurtz, Sterling Hundley, Steve Conley, and Mark Wheatley -- just to name a few! Artist Alley has some pretty amazing people to discover too. I hope to meet you there.

Raina Telgemeier & Dave Roman

I just got back from "meeting" authors Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman at their appearance at One More Page Books & More in Arlington, Virginia on August 10, 2011. Their presentation was geared towards children and the advocacy of graphic novels as an art and story medium.


I attended the one hour program with my friend Elizabeth, whom I urged a couple months ago to read Raina's book, Smile, which was recently awarded the "Best Publication for Teens" Eisner Award at San Diego Comic-Con just two weeks ago. Elizabeth enjoyed Smile, so when I found out that Raina and Dave would be coming to Virginia, I invited her to go with me. When we arrived Raina and Dave were taking suggestions from the kids for emotions and they demonstrated how to draw the expressions and gestures on an large piece of paper on an easel.


Then Raina and Dave took questions from the audience. The children were very into it and smart. Raina and Dave gave great advice about creating your own books. Almost half of the kids raised their hands when asked if they were interested in writing or drawing graphic novels. One point that was brought up a lot was how long it takes to create a comic. It took Raina five years to finish Smile and it took the same amount of time for Dave to complete Astronaut Academy. Dave said that it takes five years to make the book and five hours to read the book and then everyone wants to know when the next book comes out. This was a strong statement made during the Q&A as well as their explanation of Bristol board and the thumbnail process.


I enjoyed watching the kids who attended. Raina had a handful of girls who related to her experience with braces. One girl even had Raina sign the winter shirt, which I don't think is for sale anymore since it's not on her website. It was very much a rock star moment. It reminded me of when I was in elementary school and got to meet Valerie Tripp, author of the American Girl books. There are many moments when I read Raina's comics and feel nostalgic about my own childhood and experience growing up.


The bookstore raffled off the expressions Raina and Dave drew in the demo. Raina and Dave then signed books. I got my copy of Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery signed. Raina told Dave not to forget to sign his name when he was intensely drawing a sketch in the book for me -- then when I left the store I opened the book to find out that Raina did a sketch but didn't sign her name! I seriously think that's hilarious! I will treasure that moment. It's okay because I have many other signed and sketched Raina books (all four Baby-Sitters Club books and some mini comics). I think it's perfect that it ended up unsigned tonight.

My first knowledge of Raina was at Small Press Expo in 2004. My art friend recommend I attend the show. I didn't know much about SPX or anyone there at the time and went by myself as a volunteer so I could get in for free in exchange for a few hours of working the registration table. There was a panel about Women in Comics and I was really "drawn" to Raina's comics. This was when she was doing the Take-Out mini comics. I thought to myself: I want to take my comics to the next level. I want to do this. This was also the same SPX where Jeff Smith was a special guest. That weekend changed my life because after meeting Jeff Smith and Raina Telgemeier I was never the same. Year after year, I made an effort at each SPX to say hi to Raina and last year she was on the New York Comic Con panel I assembled called The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators.


I can legitimately say that Raina Telgemeier is a big creator influence to me and I really appreciate what she does. I had so much fun tonight. Thank you Raina and Dave! Everyone please check out their books.

Women in Comics Spotlight: Carolyn Belefski

Girls Read Comics Too has been blogging about female comic creators in their "Women in Comics Spotlight" feature.

Recently they contacted me for a Q&A session and the blog entry went up yesterday. Some of the questions included "Did you ever get advice about the field that you’d like to pass on?" and "In an ideal world, in what direction would you like to see your project evolve?"

Please click on this link to see the interview: http://girlsreadcomics.com/2011/08/08/women-in-comics-spotlight-carolyn-belefski

If you are interested in conducting an interview with me for your blog, publication, podcast, or other media outlet, please email info@curls-studio.com. Thank you!

Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con 2011

Curls Studio (Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski) will be exhibiting at Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con on August 14, 2011. We attended PACC last year and you can read the blog recap here. I hope we are able to meet you this year.

The Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con is the premier convention in Philadelphia showcasing all things alternative/fringe/indy/art comics and zines.

WHAT: Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con
WHEN: Sunday, August 14, 2011 from Noon to 7:00 PM
WHERE: The Rotunda at 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

You can RSVP to the event on Facebook and while you're at it - become of fan of Curls Studio.

Help us spread the word about this show by inviting your friends. Thanks and see you there!

2011 EXHIBITORS: Adhouse Books, Alex Eckman-Lawn, Alisa Harris, Amanda Greenberg, Benjamin Marra, Beth Heinly, Box Brown, Carey Pietsch, Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, Claire Folkman, Cody Pickrodt, Coin Op, Corinne Mucha, Cyn Why, David Jablow, Dina Kelberman, Doug Slack, Dre Grigoropol, Eamon Dougherty, Ed Choy Moorman, Edwin Vazquez, Fleisher Art Memorial, Full Sanction, Heather Benjamin, Holly Holly Hobby Hobby, Ian Harker, Jen Tong, Joanne Sherrow, Josh Bayer, Josh Burggraf, Kat Fajardo, Kelly Phillips, Kevin Czapiewski, KJ Martinet, L. Nichols, Lance Hansen, Lincoln Bostian, Liz Baillie, M. Jacob Alvarez, Mandy and Ian Sampson, Matt Wiegle, Meathaus, Mike Sgier, Mike Turzanski, Morgan Pielli, Parcell Press, Pat Aulisio, Peter Lazarski, Rafer Roberts, Rob Corradetti, Robyn Ng, Sally Bloodbath, Sam Thurman, Sara Lindo, Secret Acres, Space 1026, Steve Peters, Steve Seck, Thomas Toye, Ze Jian Shen

The above PACC art is by Josh Burggraf.

Recap: DC Zinefest 2011

DC Zinefest was this past Saturday, July 30, 2011. Word on the street was that it was Washington, DC's first Zinefest in at least a decade. I am glad the show's organizers were able to put on such a well-coordinated show with a minimum budget. Thanks to everyone who came out.


The show had a steady pace of attendees throughout the day. The photo above shows how big the crowd got at one point.

More photos can be found on the Curls Studio Facebook page.