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.

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.

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.

MoComCon 2026

Curls Studio will be making a first appearance at MoComCon on March 21, 2026. Montgomery County Public Libraries is celebrating 10 years of MoComCon this year. 

MoComCon is a free celebration of all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms! The schedule of events is currently being finalized, but you can expect an Art Contest, Sci-Fi Workshops, Pokemon Trivia, a Cosplay Parade, a Superhero Dance Party, and more! Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC) will host a Comic Sale (Saturday) at BlackRock as well as a Booksale (Sunday) at Germantown Library.

For more information: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/programs/mocomcon.html

Comic Logic Fall Lot Con 2025 in this Sunday

Bring the kids out in their costumes for a fun day of trick or treating. Shop from local creators, get a tarot reading, or purchase some comics on Sunday, October 26 from Noon to 4PM in the Comic Logic parking lot (44031 Ashburn Shopping Plz, # 281 Ashburn, VA 20147). This is a free family and pet friendly outdoor event. 

Fairfax Comic Con is August 23-24, 2025

Join us at Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151) this August 23-24, 2025 (SAT 10:30AM-5PM (VIP 10AM), SUN 10AM-4PM) for Fairfax Comic Con. 

Comic creators Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski will be exhibiting with Curls Studio -- please swing by to say hello and browse the merchandise. 

All weekend: Kids Love Comics will host an activity and coloring table with coloring sheets, how-to’s, crayons and markers, kids and their parents are invited to let their inner artist explore! 

1PM on Saturday "Comic Costume Academy with Carolyn Belefski"

Every hero needs a logo! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski (Curls) and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity. Kids can then place the logos on the provided capes, and… up, up, and away!*

*Kids Love Comics does not guarantee kids will actually fly

Children 10 and under get in free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Parking is free. Hope to see you there!

Recap: Tidewater Comicon 2025

We are back from Tidewater Comicon in Virginia Beach! Curls Studio had a great time and enjoyed catching up with fellow exhibitors. Our booth was next to Ben Bishop, who we first met in 2008 at our very first New York Comic Con. It was great to reminisce with him and also say hello to the Kids Love Comics crew and even enjoy their programming (see pencil photo that matches my nail polish choices perfectly).

We did get to spend a short amount of time at the beach before the show on both days -- even after waking up early to enjoy that experience it was definitely HOT! It's always a cool opportunity to sell comics within walking distance to the Atlantic Ocean.

As with shows they must go on and roll with the punches -- one of the main guests Alan Tudyk could not appear due to plane flight issues with American Airlines. I didn't see any of the celebrities, but did get to walk around a bit to see the show floor. Big thanks to the crew and organizers of Tidewater Comicon -- we hope to be back in the future.

Recap: CulpeperCon 2025

I had a great time at CulpeperCon on March 22, 2025 hosted by the Culpeper County Library. Curls Studio came into town the day before to settle in since the keynote would start at 9AM. We got to see some of the town and visited two comic shops in the area (Collector's Den and Final Boss -- both locations had posters up to advertise CulpeperCon). Since the event coincided with the town's Restaurant Week, we got to take advantage of the incentive at Pinto Thai, where a robot served us our dinner meal! This is the first time I've had a robot bring meals to the table. 

My keynote was titled, "How Comics Shape Minds and Health" -- showcasing some of my portfolio in the beginning so people who don't know me have a background on what I've done so far, including some items I don't show too often. I showcased how reading comics enhance our brains and different ways of thinking and then went into my "Cartoonists First Aid" which focuses on nutrition and encourages physical movement. I provided stretches and mobility poses to implement for people who work desk and knowledge jobs. The keynote speech is available for watching on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ELa3KbJ4k

After my keynote, many people came up to me saying they learned a lot and were going to try to take more breaks throughout the day. Some people were familiar with my work and still had no idea some of the work I showed from my portfolio in the beginning. I was good to get that instant feedback to know people got inspired to become healthy because if you aren't healthy you can't draw, write, or achieve your larger goals in life. 

At CulpeperCon I got my blood pressure checked at UVA Health's table, saw the robotics section, painted a rubber duck as Curls, saw the escape room table, and more. It was cool to have the whole library absorbed into a comic con event with activities and multiple tables filled with local businesses, artists, games, and more. Thank you to the keynote sponsor Fountain Hall and to Friends of the Culpeper County Library for putting this event on and thinking to ask me to be a part of the event.

CulpeperCon 2025 Keynote Speaker

Join us at CulpeperCon for a celebration of graphic novels, pop culture, and storytelling -- connecting fans and creators through interactive events, art, and community. The event has many activities lined up: Bingo, Lego, Special Effects Makeup, Cosplay Contest, Games, Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Scavenger Hunt, and more. 

I've been asked to be the keynote speaker at 9AM on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Hope to see you there!

Culpeper Con is Culpeper County Library's premier annual graphic novel and comic book convention, hosted by the Friends of the Culpeper County Library. Culpeper County Public Library is in the Southgate Shopping Center (271 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper, VA 22701).

Fairfax Comic Con is August 17-18, 2024

Join us at Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151) this Saturday and Sunday (SAT 11AM-5PM (VIP 10AM), SUN 11AM-4PM) for Fairfax Comic Con. 

Comic creators Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski will be exhibiting with Curls Studio -- please swing by to say hello and browse the merchandise. 

 All weekend: Kids Love Comics will host an activity and coloring table with coloring sheets, how-to’s, crayons and markers, kids and their parents are invited to let their inner artist explore! 

1PM on Sunday "Comic Costume Academy with Carolyn Belefski"
Every hero needs a logo! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski (Curls) and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity. Kids can then place the logos on the provided capes, and… up, up, and away! 

Children 10 and under get in free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Parking is free. Hope to see you there!

STORYBOX Comics Fair 2024

Curls Studio will be exhibiting at STORYBOX Comics Fair this Sunday, June 23, 2024 from Noon to 4PM at Third Hill Brewing (8216 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD, 20910). *$10 Admission* Hope to see you there!

Baltimore Comic-Con and Small Press Expo are this weekend

Two shows are happening at the same time, so Curls Studio has cloned ourselves and will be exhibiting at both. The way we plan to do this is:

Joe Carabeo will be at Baltimore on Friday and Sunday / SPX on Saturday.
Carolyn Belefski will be at Baltimore on Saturday and SPX on Sunday.

Baltimore Comic-Con 2023
This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-10, 2023. Visit Curls Studio at Table K8 in Kids Love Comics inside Baltimore Convention Center. 

Friday, September 8 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 9 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 10 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(with VIP admission 30 minutes early each day)

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table K8. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. Kids 10 and under get in free with paid adult admission.

Small Press Expo 2023
This year's Small Press Expo will be held September 9-10, 2023. Visit Curls Studio at Table K10 at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (5701 Marinelli Road Rockville, Maryland 20852). 

Saturday, September 9 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 10 -- NOON - 6:00 PM

Comics Pal Interview

From Rick Chillot:

My comics blog, Comics Pal, is updated with a post featuring DC-area cartoonist Carolyn Belefski, whose long-running strip CURLS will make you smile even if you have no human emotions. Plus she’s been involved in a jillion interesting projects, like making comics for the Obama White House! Read all about it at ComicsPal.com. You’ll also find recent posts featuring Whit Taylor, Rachel Bard, and other cartoonists you’ll want to know about. For our younger followers, a blog is like a podcast that you read instead of listening to.

Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 6, 2023

Join Curls Studio (Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo) this Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:30AM for Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) at The Amazing Comic Shop in Fairfax, VA across from George Mason University and near Taco Bamba and University Mall Theatres. The shop will be handing out select comics which are part of the FCBD promotion. We will be selling comics, prints, pins, and more at the Curls Studio table.

What's better than education, comics, tacos, and movies? 

The Amazing Comic Shop is located at University Mall, 10647 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032. Hope to see you there for our first appearance of 2023.

I Love To Write Day 20th Anniversary

The "I Love To Write Day Creative Writing Journal" is now available on Amazon -- it's being published to celebrate the 20th anniversary of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots campaign John Riddle launched in 2002 to have people of all ages spend time writing every November 15. John reached out to me to contribute comic strips about creativity and the creative process to the publication. 

87 creative experts including writers, authors, musicians, artists, photographers, actors, directors, and more professions have contributed tips on how to be creative and shared their own creative journey. It also includes 30 challenges that give you the opportunity to “think outside of the box” to use your imagination like never before. 

Above is a sample of one of the comics strips I created for the Love To Write Day project and here is the link to the book on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL4VT9VX?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 

Please take a moment to write on November 15 and celebrate this day!

Baltimore Comic-Con is October 28-30, 2022

Baltimore Comic-Con 2022

Visit Curls Studio at Table K17 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 28 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 29 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 30 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table K17. 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). You can also earn a free print is you correctly guess who I'm cosplaying as on Sunday!

We are prepped for Halloween and will have our two Cartoonists Draw Blood anthologies we produced (Trick or Treat / Monsters). You can also bid on Carolyn Belefski's original art made for the Jill Thompson "Scary Godmother" themed yearbook as well as get your book signed at Booth K17 for the scavenger hunt. The Hero Initiative Art Auction takes places Saturday at 5:00 PM in Rooms 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!

Recap: Small Press Expo 2022

Thank you Small Press Expo for another great show this past weekend. Curls Studio hopes to be back again with even more new comics and new adventures next year. Something special I created specifically for this show is the Peanuts homage table display, handmade from cardboard and paint (notice the Cartoonist and Writer signs when we were at the booth individually). Appreciation for the SPX staff and volunteers that make the show possible. Our next show is New York Comic Con (Booth 1950) this October 6-9, 2022.