Recap: Small Press Expo 2022

Thank you Small Press Expo for another great show this past weekend. Curls Studio hopes to be back again with even more new comics and new adventures next year. Something special I created specifically for this show is the Peanuts homage table display, handmade from cardboard and paint (notice the Cartoonist and Writer signs when we were at the booth individually). Appreciation for the SPX staff and volunteers that make the show possible. Our next show is New York Comic Con (Booth 1950) this October 6-9, 2022.

Small Press Expo is September 17-18, 2022

Join Curls Studio this weekend at Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland. We'll be at Table K11. The Small Press Expo is North America’s premiere independent cartooning and comic arts festival. SPX brings together more than 4,000 cartoonists and comic arts enthusiasts every fall.

Small Press Expo
Visit Curls Studio at Table K11
Saturday, September 17 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 18 -- Noon - 6:00 PM
Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Recap: Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest Kick-Off Event

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.

Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest Kick-Off Event

Come to the Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest Kick-Off Event at Howard Community College this Saturday, September 10 from 9AM to Noon in the Science, Engineering, and Technology Building (SET). A free, fun family event for all! I was invited to speak about art and encourage young students in grades K-12 to enter in the Art Contest (this year's theme is Cybersecurity and Information Technology). Winning entries will be announced in a live event at the National Cryptologic Museum.

I will have Curls Studio comics, books, pins, stickers, and other merchandise available for purchase.

For guidelines about the art contest and more information about the event click on the link: https://marylandstemfestival.org

Fairfax Comic Con is August 27, 2022

I'll be a special guest at the second Fairfax Comic Con of 2022 in a bit over a week on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Dulles Expo Center from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (VIP entrance opens at 10 AM). The show organizers decided to have the shows this year be one day only on two different Saturdays in 2022. The first was on March 5.

Children ages 10 and younger are free. Tickets are $12 and VIP tickets are $20. More info here: https://www.fairfaxcomiccon.com

Hope to see you there!

Awesome Con is June 3-5, 2022

We hope you can join us on June 3-5, 2022 for the ninth edition of Awesome Con at the DC Convention Center. Curls Studio will be located at table A11 in Artist Alley all three days. View the map above where the purple pulse signal circles are so you'll know where to find us.

Curls Studio has exhibited at every Awesome Con and this year will be the first time we will be taking part in Pin Bazaar (Collectible Enamel Pins) with my "Umbrella Watermelon" design, which will be available at table A11.

Kickoff the event on Friday, June 3 from 1:30pm to 2:15pm for The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators in Room 209 featuring John Gallagher, Kami Gracia, Sweeney Boo, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Carolyn Belefski.

You have an idea. You write, draw, and concept that idea into a comic book. But the work doesn't end there. You have to either find a publisher or self-publish your work. We will focus on starting out in the comics industry as a small press writer and/or artist. Once you have your first few books created and completed it is a good idea to get out and meet people and exhibiting is a great way to push yourself forward because creating your comic is only the first step. Are you a creator considering exhibiting at Artist Alley or Small Press comic conventions? This panel will give you tips and suggestions on how to create your professional appearances from the POV of being behind the table. We will discuss the metamorphosis from attendee to exhibitor, effective table display design, how to talk and interact with people at your table and how to generate sales with your table pitch.

After the panel join me Friday, June 3 from 3:00pm to 3:30pm for Emoji Comics with Carolyn Belefski at the Awesome Con Jr. Workshops area.

Joe Carabeo will be presenting the Awesome Con Short Film Fest. Each year fans gather to watch specially selected short films in the categories of comedy, drama, horror, action, science fiction, documentaries, and more.

Exhibit Hall Hours

Friday, June 3 | 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 4 | 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, June 5 | 10:00am - 5:00pm

Short Film Fest Hours

Friday, June 3 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Room 204
Horror, Sci Fi, Action

Saturday, June 4 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Room 204
Comedy and Drama

Sunday, June 5 | 3:00 pm - 5:00pm | Room 204
Animation, Docs and More Awesome Films

Tidewater Comicon is May 14-15, 2022

Curls Studio will be at Tidewater Comicon on May 14-15, 2022 (Artist Alley Booth C9) at the Virginia Beach Convention Center with celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, and much more. Children 10 and under get in free with the purchase of a regular adult pass.

Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

SHOW HOURS
Saturday: 10:30am-6pm (VIP entry 10am) Sunday: 11:30am-4pm (VIP entry 11am)

KIDS LOVE COMICS PANELS

Saturday, May 14, 2022 • Noon
Draw A Little Dream with Chris Mariano and Carolyn Belefski
Chris Mariano interviews kids and parents about their strangest dreams. Professional artists bring their dreams to life on the drawing board.

Sunday, May 15, 2022 • 1pm
Emoji Comics with Carolyn Belefski
We’ve used them in texts and social media, now cartoonist Carolyn Belefski shows you how to use emojis in comics. From designing these easy-to-draw icons to using them to tell a story, this workshop will surely play with your emotions.