Recap: FCPL Author Book Festival

This past Saturday was the Author Book Festival at Pohick Regional Library. It was only two hours and before the event I got to spend some time going around the room to meet other authors who were also already set-up. There were all types of books being represented -- many were political or historical, but I was the only cartoonist. The Upstart Crow Podcast was able to gather short interviews there. There was a raffle giveaway of two $50 Visa gift cards and free face painting. I also displayed my Fairfax County Library card design. Someone told me this particular location said they were sold out of my design -- a few people wanted to get it and were unable to. Maybe other locations still might have my design, but you'd have to ask around because FCPL has 23 branches!

Who Are the 2026 Guest Jumblers?

Comic Historian D. D. Degg asks on The Daily Cartoonist: Who Are the 2026 Guest Jumblers? Jumble’s Guest Jumbler Week returns for November 16-21, 2026 and this image is the promo.

Author Book Festival this Saturday

You are invited to the Local Author Book Festival at Pohick Regional Library, located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA 22015, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. 

Come and be a part of a wonderful celebration showcasing local talent! Prepare for a day brimming with stories, creativity, and community at the library. Connect with local authors and delve into discussions about their works. Browse a variety of their books available for purchase. Delight in family-friendly activities, including face painting. Don’t forget to stop by the library table for a chance to win one of two $50 Visa gift cards.

Cosponsored by the Fairfax Library Foundation. No registration required. 

For more information and to see a list of appearing authors: https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/16581774

Recap: Cartoonists Draw Blood 2026

Yesterday the Washington, DC Chapter of National Cartoonists Society (NCS) continued our annual "Cartoonists Draw Blood" blood drive event with the American Red Cross. We have been drawing for blood donors since 2013 and this year was special because we got to do it on the actual Halloween holiday! NCS is represented by John Gallagher, Joe Sutliff, and Carolyn Belefski. Thanks to this year's venue Chinmaya Somnath for hosting the location and everyone who stopped by our fun table. The American Red Cross had a social media volunteer document the event, so when that content is avilable we will share with you. More photos are avilable on my Instagram. If you are in the Washington, DC area and want to host us at your blood drive, please connect with American Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region.

Cartoonists Draw Blood 2026 is on Halloween!

Cartoonists Draw Blood -- blood drive with the American Red Cross returns on Halloween -- Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 9AM-1:00PM at Chinmaya Somnath 4350 Blue Spring Drive, Chantilly, VA 20152. 

Blood donors meet local cartoonists and take home a complementary sketch from a Washington, DC National Cartoonists Society member after their appointment.

Creators scheduled to appear: John Gallagher, Joe Sutliff, Carolyn Belefski 

Schedule appointments to donate blood (search zip code 20152): www.redcrossblood.org 

Costumes encouraged, but also keep in mind you should be able to roll up your sleeves.

Eligibility requirements: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html

Come to give and the American Red Cross will say thanks with up to $20 in Gift Cards! You’ll get a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email plus 500 bonus points, redeemable for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards.

Please consider sharing this event notice on the socials -- it's a great way to be thankful and give back this season even if you can't give blood at this time.

Lot Con Fall 2026 is this Sunday!

This Sunday join us at Comic Logic in Loudoun County and check out comic creators, artisan vendors, and enjoy some family-friendly trick-or-treat activities like the costume contest. See you soon in the Ashburn Village parking lot for Lot Con!

Book-or-Treat 2026

BOO-ks! I will return to Book-or-Treat this Friday, October 23 from 5 to 7PM. Start the Halloween fun at McKay Used Books in Manassas, VA by meeting local authors and vendors -- they will have bonus giveaways! 

RSVP to the event and learn more here: https://mckayusedbooks.com/events

New York Comic Con is October 8-11, 2026

The East Coast's largest pop culture convention, New York Comic Con returns October 8-11, 2026 at Javits Center located at 429 11th Avenue. Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo (Curls Studio) will be at Booth #1947 all four days (same location as last year, area with the low ceiling). The location is on show floor level 3. 

We will also have the "This Ink Runs Cold" collaboration book -- Joe Carabeo wrote a story that Scott Morse (former Pixar story artist) illustrated.

We will have the convention exclusive limited edition Curls book and the revised Black Magic Tales 154 page omnibus comic book. We will have several of our hard enamel pins available for purchase. We will debut the Bell Peppers sticker sheet at this show and showcase other sticker sheets and larger individual stickers.

We will bring copies of Magic Bullet #25 comics newspaper. Hope to see you soon in the city that never sleeps!

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 

Baltimore Comic-Con 2026

Visit Curls Studio at Table F1

Friday, September 25 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 26 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 27 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con at Table F1 in Artist Alley. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We have the latest edition of Magic Bullet, issue 25 for the first time published in full-color.

We are celebrating Savage Dragon by Erik Larsen in Baltimore Comic-Con's Yearbook this year. Get your Yearbook signed at Curls Studio at Table F1. The original will be auctioned off during the art auction Saturday at 2:00 PM in Room 339-342. 

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

As they say: I'll see you in Baltimore!

Small Press Expo 2026

This year's Small Press Expo will be held September 12-13, 2026. Visit Curls Studio at Table W63 near the front entrance at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (5701 Marinelli Road Rockville, Maryland 20852). 

Saturday, September 12 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 13 -- NOON - 6:00 PM

The latest issue of Magic Bullet (#25) will debut at SPX in full color -- look for a new Roxy and Dean story in it!

Cartoonist Showcase in Columbus, Ohio

The National Cartoonist Society is teaming up with the Billy Ireland Museum at Ohio State University for a Cartoonist Showcase sketching and signing event, open to the public. You can find me in the lobby on Saturday, August 8 from 1:00 to 5:30 PM.

Spotlight presentations from Colleen Doran and Cathy Guisewite are part of the festivities.

There will also be a ticketed event on the same day in the Mershon Auditorium featuring Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, Jim Benton, Jamar Nicholas, and Maria Scrivan from Scholastic’s Graphix imprint.

If you are near Columbus, Ohio it is a great way to meet talented cartoonists, illustrators, and authors! I'm looking forward to this event and hope to meet you there.

Details here: https://nationalcartoonists.com/showcase

NCS Exhibitors: Chuck Whelon, Joe Dator, Wayno®, Nate Fakes, Jerry Van Amerongen, Tom Stiglich, John and Anne Hambrock, Andrea Beizer, Colleen Doran, Dave Blazek, Pat Higgins, Jason Chatfield, Barbara Dale, John Rose, Richard Robert Pollak, Dee Fish, Dave Kellett, Polly Keener, Bill Morrison, Harold Buchholz, Joe Staton, Greg Cravens, Francis Bonnet, Carolyn Belefski, Thom Zahler, Milburn Taylor, Deon Parson, Tom Toro, Josh Ulrich, Mark Parisi, Dan Thompson, Wes Molebash, David Rickert, Norm Feuti, Lex Fajardo, Chuck Dillon, Ed Steckley, Dawn Griffin

Toon Talks: TED-Style Presentations by Cartoonists

I am selected to present at "Toon Talks" during National Cartoonists Society’s 80th Annual Reuben Awards and Conference in Ohio on August 7. 

Five cartoonists. Five big ideas. Ten minutes each. Inspired by TED Talks, this fast-paced session features short, focused presentations on creative breakthroughs, business pivots, technical innovations, and career insights. Topics range from process to publishing, from style to strategy. After the presentations, join table conversations with speakers to dive deeper into the ideas that resonated with you. 

Presenters: Carolyn Belefski (How Comics Shape Minds and Health), Deon Parson (Making Traditional Comics in a Digital World), Jonathan Lemon (How to Hack Your Deadlines), Sonya Saturday (So Anyway, I Saved a Dollar), Tom Gammill (How I Learned To Draw). 

Registration link: https://ncs.glueup.com/event/80th-annual-ncs-conference-and-reuben-awards-173648

There will also be National Cartoonists Society Showcase on August 8 at The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum that I will be participating in (taking place after the conference). More details to come in the next blog post.

Recap: Fredericksburg Comic Con 2026

This past weekend Curls Studio had a fun time at Fredericksburg Comic Con with the Kids Love Comics crew. I got to meet fellow NCS member John Rose for the first time in-person. Joe got to unexpectedly meet writer Robert Venditti. I had a workshop "Emoji Comics with Carolyn Belefski" and drew this code to crack 🍍🍕👍. Reply where you stand on this controversial opinion. Thank you Incredible Conventions!

Fredericksburg Comic Con 2026

Fredericksburg Comic Con is July 11-12, 2026. There will be Kids Love Comics activities and workshops, arcade games, special guests (voice actors, wresters, and comic creators), artist alley, and exhibitors. 

On Sunday at 1PM join us for 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.

This will be the first time Curls Studio will visit Fredericksburg Comic Con. Hope to see you there!

Comic Logic's Spring Lot Con 2026

See Curls Studio this Sunday, May 17 for Spring Lot Con at Comic Logic in Ashburn, VA! The event runs from Noon to 4PM. Come meet special guest Phillip Kennedy Johnson and many members of our amazing comics community this Sunday.

Independent Bookstore Day is April 25, 2026

Meet authors and discover your next book to read at McKay Used Books in Manassas, VA for Independent Bookstore Day! Myself and other authors will be selling our books and connecting with readers from 11 AM to 3 PM next Saturday, April 25, 2026. If you find the Golden Ticket, you win a year supply of Audiobooks and there will be other exclusive giveaways while supplies last.

Blossom Bash 2026

This past Sunday I participated in "Blossom Bash" an official National Cherry Blossom Festival event, transforming PenFed Plaza into a vibrant spring destination at Tysons Corner Center. 

ArtsFairfax hosted live chalk art contest inspired by America’s Semiquincentennial: In honor of America’s 250th, chalk art reflected the natural beauty of America's flora and fauna, celebrating the plants, animals, and landscapes that make our country beautiful. 

The event “paints PenFed Plaza pink” with a curated retailer market, live entertainment, family-friendly activations, giveaways, and interactive experiences—designed to drive regional attendance while spotlighting participating retailers and restaurants.

This was my first time at this one-day outdoor program. I heard from the other artists there that they had done the event in previous years. My art was inspired by the Japanese cherry blossoms and I did a koi fish with blossom fins in the water with emphasis on movement and spring colors. 

It was definitely windy at this elevated outdoor event space and two of my name tags blew away. I am happy with my art given the parameters of the wind and physically doing it in a squat position. I rarely got on my knees, but they did advise artists to bring towels to roll up for protection. I did bring a bath towel, but didn't really use it. Many of the artists had skateboarding knee pads. I was starting to use up many of my main colors -- white, pink, and blue -- glad to make it through to complete with sparse resources. We had to tell PenFed event workers and attendees not to step on the art area (which was obviously sectioned in five foot squares with tape, so it was striking to see so many people oblivious to what we were doing -- for those that don't know the colors smear when being stepped on). It was an interesting challenge and I'm glad to be a part of it!

Recap: CulpeperCon 2026

Curls Studio experienced CulpeperCon this past Saturday with a display at their Artist Alley in the morning. Joe Carabeo debuted his new 2026 filmmaking reel during his presentation. I gave my "Fine Toon Your Life" comics workshop including an engaging Q&A segment in the afternoon. Several people walked away from the presentation with a freshly drawn comic and a start to their career in cartooning!

CulpeperCon 2026 is this Saturday

On Saturday, March 28, 2026 Curls Studio will be at Culpeper County Library for the 4th CulpeperCon. We will be giving a presentation and workshop in the afternoon. John Gallagher, the creator of Max Meow, will be giving this year's keynote at Noon.

Joe Carabeo presents How You Don’t Need Hollywood…But...
2:30-3:20PM

Filmmaking is a wonderful world, but is the reality of being a filmmaker right for you? Join Joe Carabeo as he shares a rare glimpse into his evolving process as a professional creative, while discussing the joys and hardships he endured in the evolution of being part of modern cinema making through his 20 years as a independent filmmaker and creator. 

Fine Toon Your Life with Carolyn Belefski
3:30-4:20PM

Welcome back CulpeperCon 3rd Edition Keynote Speaker, Carolyn Belefski!

In this workshop, cartoonist Carolyn Belefski will teach how to turn humor of your everyday life into clever, relatable comic strips -- because if it’s going to happen to you, it might as well be funny.

Recap: MoComCon 2026

This past Saturday I set up a display table at MoCoCon with Montgomery County Public Libraries. It was their 10th anniversary show and my first time at this show. Geoff Weber, Christiann MacAuley, Oliver Mertz, Jamie Noguchi, Carolyn Belefski, Tiny Pineapple Studio were the creators who exhibited in Artist Alley. The event also had a cosplay parade, button making activity, crafts, panels, trivia, scavenger hunt, and more. I only got to see a portion of the show because I was at the table most of the day and it was in two buildings (I didn't even see the other building). It was great to hang out and meet the other creators and also meet event attendees. 

It is super to see many libraries embrace comics and host their own library conventions. I'll be at another library convention this coming Saturday in Culpeper, Virginia called CulpeperCon.