Free Comic Book Day is This Saturday

Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski from Curls Studio will be appearing at Amazing Comic Shop in Fairfax, Virginia this Saturday, May 2, 2015 to celebrate Free Comic Book Day. This shop is located in University Mall, across from George Mason University. It has recently been renamed and has been formerly known as Laughing Ogre Comics and/or Phoenix Comics.

The shop will be open from 10:30 AM to 8 PM, but I expect we'll be there until 4PMish... so come early for us and for the best selection! Each family will be able to select five books from the free offerings this year.

The store will also have a sidewalk sale, live podcasting, cosplay, 501st Legion, and more!

Hope to see you there.

Carolyn Belefski: Runner-up Best Visual Artist - Best of D.C. 2015 in Washington City Paper

Thanks to all of you who voted in Washington City Paper's 2015 Best of D.C. Reader Poll. The votes are in and I am a runner-up for the third year in a row for Best Visual Artist. Thank you all so much for voting!

Creator Con is Tomorrow

Creator Con Festival is an all-ages art, technology, and gaming event in Silver Spring, Maryland geared to inspire youth and spread positive creation and innovation.

There will be interactive art galleries, live music, panels about video game and comic book industries, artist alley, game truck, art workshops, food trucks, gaming arcades, and more.

At 2:30 PM, I'll be a guest on a live podcast.

Join us tomorrow, April 25, 2015 at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring, Maryland from 2 to 8 PM.

Illustration for Citizens of Natstown Project

I've recently provided illustration for Citizens of Natstown and their new project, "Every Nats Game's A Story." The feature enables fans to recall their memories and help tell the story of what it's like to be a Washington Nationals fan. There are already many stories posted about personal fan experiences -- and you can submit yours too.

I've been to three games within the past decade, but my main connection to Nationals baseball is walking the stadium for Team Cul de Sac during Moving Day (Parkinson's Walk).

Available for Freelance Work

If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please email Carolyn Belefski at info@curls-studio.com. View my portfolio: http://www.carolynbelefski.com

Recap: East Coast Comicon 2015

On April 11 and 12, 2015 Curls Studio exhibited at their first East Coast Comicon in the Kids Love Comics section. It was great to meet new faces and hang out with other fun creators.

East Coast Comicon has grown out of the success of Asbury Park Comicon. This year ECC was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center -- very close to New York City. It did feel like a traditional comic convention compared to the original shows at the bowling alley and when we sold comics above the Atlantic Ocean at the Asbury Park Convention Hall. I know that building was built in the 1920s and in need of renovations, so the show moved. I still miss the charm of the original shows, but I understand the growth -- it makes me feel good that we got to witness Cliff's vision for the show. I also got to eat nachos -- my Kryptonite.

In addition to exhibiting, I hosted a workshop on Saturday called "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol." This was my first time running this seminar and I will probably do it again for Awesome Con DC and Baltimore Comic-Con. I posted print outs of established logos such as Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, cutie marks from My Little Pony, and more. I took the opportunity to ask the children to create a list of three things they like and consider shapes, colors, and meaning to create a visual icon to represent themselves. A lot of the children wanted to go at it and create. They seemed very excited to make something for themselves and a lot of parents joined in the fun.

You can check more photos out at the Curls Studio Facebook page "East Coast Comicon" Album -- give us a "Like" while you're at it: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153181682312381.1073741855.50763422380&type=1

Curls in Washington City Paper "Comic Debrief"

The March 27, 2015 edition of Washington City Paper featured a flow chart of the DC area's thriving comic creator scene. I'm happy that Curls was included with many other great reading options by independent creators (many of whom I've known for awhile or I met at Smudge earlier in the month).

You can read more about it here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2015/03/27/flow-chart-d-c-s-thriving-comic-creator-scene/

Curls Studio will be at East Coast Comicon 2015

Curls Studio will be at East Coast Comicon this coming weekend with the talented creators in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 245. See the map above to locate us.

East Coast Comicon has grown out of the success of Asbury Park Comicon, an event we have been at in the past. We look forward to our first East Coast Comicon!

The event is being held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094). Hope to see you there from 10AM to 6PM both days.

In addition to exhibiting, I will be hosting a workshop at 2PM on Saturday called "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski" -- Every hero needs a logo! Many superheroes have personal branding on their outfits and My Little Pony characters even have cutie marks! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity.

Curls Kickstarter Update — We Did It!

Hi everyone,

I'm happy to report that the Curls Kickstarter was recently successfully funded! We were over half-way towards approaching our stretch goal too!  I'm very excited and proud for running a legit campaign that grew organically. I only spent around $30 to print up postcards to distribute at Smudge, SC Comicon (my pals at The Dollar Bin helped there), and a few local stores and libraries. I did not pay for any PR or online advertising.

A lot of ideas brewing around in my head for the Curls book. If you're a backer, I'll be sending out some updates after decompressing from running the Kickstarter campaign.

Thank you all a million times for pledging and more. I know many people could not pledge, let showed support on social media. I really appreciate ALL your participation and interest.

XOXO,

Carolyn

P.S. If you are near New Jersey, I'll be at East Coast Comicon next weekend. Hope to see you there or at one of the other events on tour this year.