Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2021

We had a fun time at Baltimore Comic-Con 2021, a three day show which wrapped on Sunday. Since it's what Curls Studio likes to call a "transitional" year, much like New York Comic Con was with the requirements of temperature checks, vaccination (or a negative test for those age four or younger), and masks -- the goal was to have fun and enjoy our time together.

I participated in the exclusive "Trick or Treat" BCC Yearbook and got to meet the person who pledged on my original Curls Halloween art. He came to the table after the auction with the piece and took a photo with me, so that was cool. I also premiered my new "Emoji Comics" workshop (which came with sign language interpreter).

Thank you to all the guests, retailers, volunteers, fans, and everyone else that made the show possible. Mark your calendars now for next year October 28-30, 2022!

Baltimore Comic-Con is October 22-24, 2021

Baltimore Comic-Con 2021

Visit Curls Studio at Table K14 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 22 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 23 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 24 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table K14. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. This year we are offering a special if you purchase $5 or more -- you can select a free print (five print options to select from).

On Saturday at 4:00 PM I'll be doing "Emoji Comics" workshop at Kids Love Comics pavilion. Then directly after at 5:00 PM in Room 325 you can bid on my original Curls Halloween art at the live Art Auction.

I'll be signing the exclusive "Trick or Treat" BCC Yearbooks at the Curls Studio table as well.

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!

Generation GC Podcast Guest

I've been "Counting The Days" and now I'm a guest on the Generation GC podcast -- episode 78! Take a listen as we discuss the band Good Charlotte and a bit about my art career. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/078-counting-the-days-x-carolyn-belefski/id1506785273?i=1000538413257

I created a new Curls comic strip called "GC Baby" to celebrate (http://www.curls-studio.com/curls/comic/gc-baby). Thank you to Molly Hudelson for having me on your show.

Recap: New York Comic Con 2021

Curls Studio visited New York Comic Con last week and had a swell time. I didn't get to break away from the table too often, but I saw a drawing demo by Dan Parent (he drew Jughead and Betty) and glanced at Adam Cole and Tony Schiavone at the AEW booth. I also got to visit the NASA booth to give them Curls "I Need Space" buttons, sample some Kung Fu Tea, and admire Art Baltazar and Franco work (Tiny Titans) in Artist Alley.

I had a signing at National Cartoonists Society booth on Thursday and Friday. It was fun to be able to see some of the great cartoonists there and catch up after so long.

One crazy thing that happened actually happened at the Curls Studio table was out of nowhere I saw a man walking the aisle in front of me. He was dressed in black tones. Definitely cool and rock-and-roll casual, but nothing too shimmery. He could have been anyone, but then I said to Joe through my mask, "Is that Mikey Way?" Since everyone is wearing masks it can be hard to recognize, but I had a good feeling it was magically him. He walked by since he was on the move and right after he passed I said, "Hey, Mikey!" He stopped and turned around. Imagine someone in one of your favorite bands suddenly face-to-face with you. I told him how much his band is super influential and he mentioned how he it was nice to hear some positivity. Mikey gave us fist bumps and I got a photo with him (with my glasses foggy from wearing mask). I'm happy because I already had photos with all the other members of My Chemical Romance and the only one left to meet was Mikey. Now I have photos with all of MCR!

Of course we enjoyed being in the city as well. We ate lots of pizza in the hotel room and saw Times Square. I got to see the Vessel structure at Hudson Yards for the first time, however it was closed to go up. I also got to visit Coney Island once again and have an authentic Nathan's hot dog and creamy orange shake.

We hope to be back at NYCC in the future. Big thanks to Francis Bonnet, Sammi Messina, Joe Carabeo, NYCC staff, NYCC volunteers, NCS, and everyone who stopped by the booth.

Our next tour stop for 2021 is Baltimore Comic-Con this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Santa Turtle Hard Enamel Pin Kickstarter

We're raising funds to produce limited edition hard enamel pins with an original illustrated Santa Turtle character design. The pins will be produced at 1.5" wide with a real jingle bell attachment. Other features include gold plating and backstamp. Each pin will be fixed with a green rubber clutch and come with a backing card on soft touch paper to evoke the warm and fuzzy mood of the season.

The campaign will end on November 4, 2021 so I can have time to produce, package, and ship out the pins in a timely manner for the holiday season. Santa Turtle is a jolly turtle who lives in the North Pole with Santa Claus providing encouragement to the working elves by ringing a bell to cheer the Christmas crew. The character first appeared in my comic strip, Curls.

I'm happy to pull out all the bells (and whistles?) with design features that challenge what a pin can be as wearable art or fashion accessory. The Santa Turtle pin makes a great gift for any fan of the holiday season -- it is a conversation starter and will also resonate with anyone who enjoys turtles, storytelling, fantasy, music, or nature.

Please consider a pledge to this Kickstarter and pass the limited edition opportunity on to your friends to spread the holiday jingle jangle! Thank you.

Pledge today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/santa-turtle-enamel-pin

New York Comic Con 2021

New York Comic Con returns this week (October 7-10, 2021) at Javits Center located at 429 11th Avenue in NYC. New York Comic Con is the East Coast's largest pop culture convention and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City. 

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo (Curls Studio) will be at Booth #2823 all four days with Francis Bonnet (Suburban Fairy Tales). The location is near Bandai Namco on show floor level 3. 

Carolyn Belefski will be signing nearby at National Cartoonists Society Booth #2928 this Thursday and Friday 1-4PM. 

Show Floor Hours 

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM 

Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM 

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM 

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

 Hope to see you soon in the city that never sleeps!

2021 Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) -- Expo and Discord Stream

I'm proud to be selected to be a part of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) for the first time, even if it's a virtual appearance this year. CXC is based in Columbus, Ohio and is all about making connections between people with a passion for the art of cartoons -- a comics, art, and animation festival. The event is founded by curator of The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Lucy Shelton Caswell -- along with the husband and wife team behind Cartoon Books, Columbus native Jeff Smith (Bone) and his wife Vijaya Iyer. 

This year's event lasts four days (September 30 - October 3, 2021) and is a combination of in-person and online events. I'm part of the Expo (curated online marketplace) and I'll be doing a Discord meet-up on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 8:00 to 8:30 PM EST. Hope you can spend part of your Saturday evening with me! 

The CXC Discord server is where you can interact with CXC Exhibitors and participate in demos, live drawing sessions, and gameful cartooning events.

Join the Discord server here: http://cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org/discord

New to Discord? Read about it here: https://discord.com/why-discord-is-different

Look for the Exhibitors Showcase channel to watch the video, and use the #discussion channel to interact live!

Don’t want to use Discord? Watch this event on the CXC Discord public stream: https://www.twitch.tv/cxcfestival_discord

Carolyn Belefski Discord Stream: https://www.cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org/?session=carolyn-belefski-discord-stream

CXC Expo: https://www.cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org/?page_id=3708