Smudge! Comics Arts Expo is March 8, 2014

The first-ever Smudge! Comics Arts Expo is coming up on March 8, 2014 at Artisphere in Arlington, Virginia from Noon to 6 PM. Artisphere is the same location that hosted the Magic Bullet Comics Making Studio exhibit last fall. This event looks to shine as the exhibitor list is impressive and there are special programs and hands-on activities for the whole family. Did I mention it's free? Yes. Free. You should be there. I'll be there! Hope to see you at the Curls Studio table and please pick up a free issue of Magic Bullet #8, Washington, DC's comics newspaper anthology. Many of the local comic contributors will be there.

Black Magic Tales in Magic Bullet #8

Can you believe an episode of Black Magic Tales has been in every issue of Magic Bullet so far? If you haven't heard of Magic Bullet, it's Washington, DC's comics anthology newspaper and you can grab a free copy while they last at many fine establishments.

In Magic Bullet #8 Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski continue the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova, along with their cat Black Magic. This is a comic page not to be missed for all animal lovers, as you can see in the preview photograph above.

We printed 5,000. Be sure to pick up your copy today. Here are some locations I know for sure have bundles of Magic Bullet #8:

Bean Bar (Leesburg, VA), Market Street Coffee (Purcellville, VA), LoCo Joe's (Purcellville, VA), Hypnocoffee (Shepherdstown, WV), Blue Moon Cafe (Shepherdstown, WV), Books and Other Found Things (Leesburg, VA), King Street Coffee (Leesburg, VA), Velocity Comics (Richmond,VA), Richmond Books (Richmond,VA), Chop Suey Books (Richmond,VA), Plan 9 Records (Richmond,VA), Off-Rhode Studio Gallery/Art Enables (Washington, DC), Game On Comics (Vienna, VA), Big Planet Comics on U Street (Washington, DC), Big Planet Comics (Vienna, VA), Record Exchange (Fairfax, VA), Laughing Ogre Comics (Fairfax, VA), CD Cellar (Falls Church, VA), Action Music (Falls Church, VA), Politics & Prose Modern Times Coffeehouse (Washington, DC), Saxby's Coffee (Fairfax, VA), Blind Dog Cafe (Washington, DC), Capitol Hill Books (Washington, DC), Kafe Bohem (Washington, DC), Miss Pixie's (Washington, DC), Peregrine Espresso (Washington, DC), Port City Java (Washington, DC), Pound (Washington, DC), Som Records (Washington, DC), Hole in the Wall Books (Falls Church, VA), Fantom Comics (Washington, DC), Museum of Unnatural History (Washington, DC), Space Bar (Falls Church, VA)

Carolyn Belefski - Nominee for Best of D.C.

I am nominated again for Washington City Paper's Best of D.C. Readers Poll in the category of "Best Visual Artist." Last year, I got runner-up. Let's see if we can beat that. It only takes a couple seconds to vote. I'd appreciate if everyone took a moment to vote. Thank you!

Please spread the word and vote using this link: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofpoll/nominations/vote/2522?year=2014

The poll closes February 27 at 11:59PM EDT

Carolyn Belefski has been nominated for Best Visual Artist

Carolyn Belefski is the writer and artist of the comic strip Curls at www.curls-studio.com/curls. She is constantly improving her skills and touring the east coast appearing at comic conventions and art shows.

Carabeo Interview with Washington City Paper

Mike Rhode posted his interview (Meet a Local Comics Writer and Filmmaker: A Chat with Joe Carabeo) today for Washington City Paper. Here is a sample of the interview followed by a link to the full interview.

Washington City Paper: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Joe Carabeo: I'm a writer and creator for Curls Studio with fellow creator and illustrator Carolyn Belefski.

WCP: How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

JC: As a writer I have a pretty short and simple answer to that question, but I'm not gonna go down that route. I'm also a filmmaker AND I also love to read and watch interviews, these interviews through the years have basically become my teachings.

I remember recently just watching an interview with one of my biggest inspirations, the director and writer Billy Wilder, in which is he talks about how writing to him is hard work, coming up with the idea is fun and exciting and it's like the first time you fall in love, but then having to sit down and flesh it out and make it real, is hard damn work, just like any real relationship.

I even remember Gerard Way talking about writing and describing it as ripping your own guts out and spreading it out on the table and trying to find something from your insides that you can make into a story. I've always found those descriptions of being a writer the closest and the most relatable to me.

Continue to read the full interview here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2014/02/17/meet-a-local-comics-writer-and-filmmaker-a-chat-with-joe-carabeo/

cARToons Exhibit at UDC

Original and limited edition artwork by DC area cartoonists: Steven George Artley, Michael Auger, Carolyn Belefski, Andrew Cohen, Matt Dembicki, David Hagen, Teresa Roberts Logan, and Rafer Roberts

Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 13th, 6:30 PM to 8 PM

Closing Reception:
Friday, February 28th, 6:30 PM to 8 PM

University of the District of Columbia Campus
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008
Gallery 42, Building 42, Room A-12
Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM

For those not familiar with the UDC campus we've included some basic directions via the Metro: Upon exiting the Van Ness-UDC Metro station (red line) turn left towards Starbucks and walk past the large mosaic ball sculpture. Cross a small parking lot and enter a pair of doors located on the backside of Building 42. Once inside take the elevator on your left to A-Level.

For those driving there is available parking in the UDC garage however parking fees do apply.

Thanks to Teresa Roberts Logan for organizing the event!