Awesome Con is June 3-5, 2016

We hope you can join us at the beginning of next month for the fourth edition of Awesome Con DC on June 3-5, 2016 at the DC Convention Center. Curls Studio will be located at table N5. Check out the awesome map above where the yellow pulse signal circles are so you'll know where to find us.

We also have several panels we'll be taking part in. Please note that some of the panel info may change, but it looks to be pretty solid.

Jeremy London Q&A
6/3/2016 / 4:30 PM-5:30 PM/ Room 150
Jeremy London will discuss his exciting career and answer audience questions.
Rated: G 
Moderator: Joe Carabeo

LIVE Carolyn and Joe Show Podcast
6/3/2016 / 6:00 PM-7:00 PM / Room 150
Phil LaMarr is the special guest on the Carolyn and Joe Show! It’s no secret that the LIVE Carolyn and Joe Show at Awesome Con is the wildest, funniest, most unpredictable, must-see panel at the convention! This year we’re taking it to the next level. We have one of the greatest performers on screen, stage, and behind a mic -- Mr. Phil LaMarr! It’s gonna be a MAD time. Do not miss this show!
Rated: PG-13

Panelists: Phil LaMarr, Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1032602296823866

Will Friedle & Grey DeLisle Q&A
6/4/2016 / 11:30 AM-12:30 PM / Room 150
Will Friedle and Grey DeLisle will discuss their exciting careers and answer audience questions. 
Rated: G
Moderator: Carolyn Belefski

Summer Glau Q&A
6/4/2016 / 1:45 PM-2:45 PM / Room 146
Summer Glau will discuss her exciting career and answer audience questions. 
Rated: G
Moderator: Joe Carabeo 

How To Break Into Comics (and Survive)
6/4/2016 / 12:30 PM-1:30 PM / Room 144
Comics! It seems like such a glamorous life, but what are the nitty gritty secrets of staying in the business? Everyone wants to know how to break into comics, but there are many paths to get there, and many ways of staying in. Our panel of not artists and writers talk about developing as artists, branching out into other fields, and the rest of the skills needed to maintain a career. Presented by The Beat.
Rated: PG-13
Moderator: Heidi MacDonald
Panelists: Bryan Tillman, Amy Reeder, Justin Jordan, Shawn Martinbrough, Carolyn Belefski
The Beat: http://www.comicsbeat.com/preview-awesome-con-is-going-to-be-awesome

Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski
6/4/2016 / 4:00 PM-4:45 PM / K Zone
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.

Awesome Filmmakers: Making It Happen
6/4/2016 / 8:15 PM-9:15 PM / Room 149
The legendary Awesome Con filmmakers panel that had everyone talking has retuned! Join filmmaker panelists Jai Jamison (TRI, Speak Now), Drew Bolduc (Assassinaut, The Taint), Kevin Sampson (Picture Lock), Cinematographer - Kunitaro Ohi, and Director of the DC Web Fest - Otessa Marie Ghadar (20/20 Productions) as they break the 4th the wall and reveal the realities of being a filmmaker and making it happen in today’s media consuming society. You might see an exclusive trailer or two.
Rated: PG-13
Moderator: Joe Carabeo (Astray Productions)
Panelists: Jai Jamison, Drew Bolduc, Kevin Sampson , Kunitaro Ohi, Otessa Marie Ghadar, Joe Carabeo

The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators
6/5/2016 / 12:30 PM-1:15 PM / Room 149
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. We will highlight the process of starting a comic book tour on a low budget and methods of attracting potential readers by promoting your appearances and will take questions and comments, as this will be a conversation on multiple subjects regarding how to build rewarding convention appearances from the ground up.
Rated: G
Moderator: Joe Carabeo 
Panelists: Carolyn Belefski, Bryan Turner, Dawn Griffin
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1734212596834918

Recap: Tidewater Comicon 2016

A video posted by JOE (@astrayj) on May 22, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

This past weekend Curls Studio took part in their first appearance at Tidewater Comicon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on May 21 and 22. We had a great time meeting new people and expanding our readership to a new location.

After Joe's interview at Arlington Independent Media, we drive down to Virginia Beach on Friday. The traffic was not very steady and it was a lot of stop and go. We were able to check out a few local restaurants such as Tupelo Honey Cafe, Chicho's Pizza, Commune, Whitner's BBQ, and Pelon's Baja Grill. I didn't get to see the boardwalk and only caught small glimpses of the town. We were mostly at the convention center or eating with pals!

At the show we premiered a new product, which is a joint effort between Gina from Super Sox Shop and myself. We now have custom-made pencil cases! I designed the fabric and Gina assembled and sewed the pencil cases. Right now we have two designs: Art Supplies and characters from my Curls comic strip. You might remember that last year Gina and I teamed up to make the dress I wore at the Reuben Awards ceremony!

Speaking of fashion, we are now SOLD OUT of all aqua colored "Heart Comics" shirts. There is a limited supply of the asphalt color, so if you are interested in the shirt, please check out the store, as I can not guarantee that the shirt will still be available in a few weeks and I do not plan on creating more of this design.

One of the great takeaways from Tidewater was enjoying the inventive "homemade" cosplay worn by attendees. We also appreciated everyone's excitement about comics. Thanks to everyone who but on the show and everyone who stopped by our table.

Our next convention is in less than two weeks -- we'll be at Awesome Con at the DC Convention Center on June 3-5, 2016.

Tidewater Comicon is May 21-22, 2016

Visit Curls Studio at Artist Alley Table A314 during Tidewater Comicon 2016 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center!

Saturday, May 21: 10AM-6PM
Sunday, May 22: 10AM-5PM

This will be our first appearance at this convention plus we'll be hitting the Virginia Beach area for the first time.

Last year Tidewater Comicon doubled the space for the show and broke it’s previous attendance record with over 16,000 excited fans and families.

This year special guests Ernie Hudson, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, C. Martin Croker, and more will be appearing.

Kids 12 and under are FREE to attend with a paid adult. Hope to see you there.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/978956835557605

Recap: Free Comic Book Day 2016

Free Comic Book Day is rocking here at The Amazing Comic Shop here in Fairfax at university mall. Come on out and get some Comics and say hi to CURLS STUDIO ( @carolynbelefski and @astrayj ) #curlsstudiotour2016 #curlsstudio @dernhelm #badasscomicbookstorerunner #carolynandjoeadventures #carolynbelefski #cartoonist #joecarabeo #writer #amazingcomicshop #fcbd #freecomicbookday #comicbooks #va #nova #dmv #dc #astray www.curls-studio.com

A video posted by JOE (@astrayj) on May 7, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

This past Saturday, May 7, 2016 Curls Studio participated in Free Comic Book Day at the Amazing Comic Shop in Fairfax, Virginia. We were there from 10:30 AM until 5:45 PM. Thanks to everyone we met and thanks to the Amazing Comic Shop for hosting us -- it was a fun day!

I always think that FCBD is the kickoff of summer -- it happens the first Saturday of every May. The Kentucky Derby is also this day and there is usually a superhero movie opening that weekend as well -- this year is Captain America: Civil War. 

Our next appearance will be Tidewater Comicon on May 21-22 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center followed by at Awesome Con on June 3-5 at the DC Convention Center. Hope to see you then. We'll be updating the blog with information on what panels we'll be on and our booth location in a map. Please check back here before the conventions for the latest news.

Free Comic Book Day 2016 is this Saturday!

Join Curls Studio this Saturday, May 7, 2016 for Free Comic Book Day at The Amazing Comic Shop in University Mall near George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. We will be there when the store opens at 10:30AM and continuing until mid-afternoon.

We will have our original comic books for sale and I'll be able to draw a sketch for you inside books if requested. We hope to meet you soon!

Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Different shops have policies on how many free comics you can receive, but you will receive at least one free comic if you enter a participating shop location.

ABCs of Country Music Project

Launching the tail end of March and continuing through the month of April, I embarked on creating custom typography for letters A to Z in the alphabet. I decided to concentrate on representing country music artists visually with the first letter of their name -- from Alan Jackson to Zac Brown Band -- we have several music acts ranging through the generations from Uncle Dave Macon to Johnny Cash to Shania Twain to Kacey Musgraves!

My Instagram account was updated daily with a new letter and the hashtag #abcsofcountrymusic was used to document all the letters. This week I will be posting some of the alphabet sketches for Patreon supporters only, so please pledge to be able to see behind-the-scenes content for this project and other projects I'm working on.

I've even created a pattern for fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap that you can get here.

Work With Me
If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please email Carolyn Belefski at info[at]curls-studio.com. View my portfolio: www.CarolynBelefski.com.