Cartoonists Draw Blood is expanding to NYC in 2018

I've been working behind-the-scenes throughout the year trying to connect National Cartoonists Society chapter chairs with the correct American Red Cross representative connection in their region to expand “Cartoonists Draw Blood” events beyond Washington, DC. We are excited to announce the Manhattan chapter of NCS will be joining in this October 25! Not gonna lie, it's been hard to get the right people to help hook everything together, but this is a great start to make this program grow. I've heard interest from other chapters, so hopefully by this time next year I'd like to add a few more cities to the list and get the blood pumping.

Big thanks to American Red Cross, National Cartoonists Society, and all the volunteer cartoonists who will be donating their time and talents to the blood drive -- as well as encouraging blood donation.

Here are the two “Cartoonists Draw Blood” drives we have this year. I'll be representing at the DC event tomorrow morning.

WASHINGTON, DC
Saturday, October 20, 2018
9AM - 1PM
Palisades Community Church
5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Schedule your appointment in advance with this link (walk-ins are also welcome):
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades

MANHATTAN
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Noon - 5PM
The King's College, Student Union
56 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Here is the National Cartoonists Society website announcement about the events: http://www.reuben.org/2018/10/cartoonists-draw-blood-events-in-dc-nyc

Cartoonists Draw Blood is this Saturday, October 20, 2018

The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing the 6th annual blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" will be celebrated on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9AM to 1PM at Palisades Community Church at 5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 (same location as last year).

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 9AM to 1PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, register in advance at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades&fbclid=IwAR2S_VRfkPXaW4uwX-zcZ8dOFQm-EJrQ31p5wMMV96sNaafOFm3MllhHJFk

On the day of donation, please drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in your diet, and bring a list of medications you are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.

It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done five previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of several hundred people. 

This year's event will feature creators Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Eric Gordon, and Joe Sutliff. We will also have our second comics anthology, "Monsters" available for $5 (10% of the proceeds have been donated to American Red Cross after printing costs). 

In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is near Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2179785222302469

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Recap: WeDC Fest 2018

On Thursday, September 27, 2018  from 11AM to noon Curls Studio was invited to speak at the first-ever WeDC Fest at the National Union Building in Washington, DC.

WeDC Fest was a three day conference (September 26-28) for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation’s Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event featured unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city.

I produced and organized the "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" panel. Here is the description: 

As studies show, people are using visual mediums now more than ever to get attention. This panel will focus on the value comics add to build your brand with humor and authenticity. Comics are a valuable visual asset that have the potential to achieve results and feedback from audiences. Learn how words, pictures, and infographics are used together to tell your story. Join us as we discuss how to write exciting content, collaborate with cartoonists, and inject an element of fun into your upcoming projects.

View this post on Instagram

Had a great time presenting "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" at #WeDC this morning with @astrayj @laughingredhead. Enjoyed being able to show slides of visuals and get feedback discussion going at closing of our time slot. Thank you for having us! View my stories for behind-the-scenes photos. ✏ WeDC Fest is a three-day conference for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation's Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event features unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city. Thank you to the sponsors: @wdcep @lyft @amazonwebservices @capitalone @broccolicity @dcstartupweek @newseum @202creates @nationalunionbuilding @astrodoughnuts @benseverything and more. #wedcfest #cartoon #comics #acreativedc #ideas #washingtondc #publicspeaker

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Sep 27, 2018 at 12:14pm PDT

Thank you to the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), event staff, volunteers, and other who helped to make the event happen.

We also appreciated the catering from Ben's Chili Bowl and Astro Doughnuts.

New York Comic Con 2018 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS (October 4-7) of New York Comic Con 2018 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Please say hello and introduce yourself!

I'll also be signing at National Cartoonists Society Booth 304 on Thursday from 1-4PM, but the rest of the time I'll be at Booth 1162.

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday, October 4 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday, October 5 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 6 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 7 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there! 

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!

Small Press Expo is September 15-16, 2018

Small Press Expo

Visit Curls Studio at Table E4

Saturday, September 15 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday, September 16 -- Noon - 6:00 PM

Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Road

North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Admission: Saturday $15, Sunday $10, or $20 for both days

I hope to see you as we celebrate the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent at SPX. Please click the map above to locate Curls Studio sharing Table E4. 

See you soon at SPX!