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: 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!

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

The Big Thank You Search of 2020

Several cartoonists have been working out a creative way to say thank you to all the generous volunteers and workers who are helping everyone during this crisis, and they’re asking for as many cartoonists as possible to hide 6 key symbols in their cartoons today -- Sunday, June 7th.

The icons are:
1. Mask (for medical workers and caregivers)
2. Steering wheel (for people who move our deliveries, supplies, mail, etc.)
3. Shopping cart (for grocery workers)
4. Apple (for teachers)
5. Fork (for restaurants and essential businesses that have stayed open)
6. Microscope (for medical researchers)

Each of these drawings is a symbol of gratitude for these dedicated people who have risked and sacrificed during this crisis. Can you find them all in my Curls comic strip? We are also asked to put a link to a charity we’d like to support and I selected American Red Cross because of all the work we’ve done with Cartoonists Draw Blood: www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html

Curls as Enzo Amore

Over the weekend I drew Curls as wrestler, Enzo Amore. It's all fun... because why not? Enzo currently holds most of my interest with wrestling because he's funny and a wacky character. He's also a Certified G and a Bonafide Stud... and you can't teach that! WWE has a lot of great tag teams right now. I'm a fan of Enzo & Big Cass, The Vaudevillians, The New Day, Fandango with Tyler Breeze, and The Golden Truth.

If you aren't familiar with Enzo, check his main roster debut here. Follow me on Instagram (@CarolynBelefski) for the latest behind-the-scenes Curls Studio images or if you are so inclined to pledge $1 or more per month, please check out my Patreon. Thanks!

cARToons Exhibit at Politics and Prose

Join us for the cARToons exhibit at Modern Times Coffeehouse (inside POLITICS & PROSE bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC).

Original and limited edition comic art by DC area cartoonists: Carolyn Belefski, T.R. Logan, Matt Rawson, Bill Brown, Andrew Cohen, Matt Dembicki, and Art Hondros

At this show, you'll be able to view an original Black Magic Tales comics page (drawn by me, written by Joe Carabeo) that was published in Magic Bullet. This is the first time this page is on display.

The exhibit is up-and-running now and we'll be hosting a closing reception on Saturday, August 15th, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. At the reception we will be serving wine, lemonade, iced tea, fruit, vegetables, cheese, hummus, and more. Hope to see you there.

Thanks to Teresa Roberts Logan for organizing the event!

UPDATE (July 18, 2015)
I've sold "Curls: Chirp" to a lovely woman who lives in Beijing and visits America every summer. Since she was leaving to go back home, this piece has already been sold and removed.

Curls in Northern Virginia Magazine

Northern Virginia Magazine "Best of NOVA" June 2015 issue features a one page article on Curls. I was approached for this article in March during the Kickstarter promotion. It mentions my successful Kickstarter, my excitement for Fox News graphics, and more! Take it for a read -- in stores now. Thanks to Northern Virginia Magazine and Tim Regan.

#curlpower

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 on Bleeding Cool "Curls is Here to Make Comics Fun Again!"

Bleeding Cool asked me to write about Curls and the Kickstarter going on right now to print all the strips in one book. Take the article for a read -- you may learn something new or be inspired! If you haven't already supported, now is the best time to get into or discover my comic strip, Curls. We are currently over 60% with 16 days to go. Take a look at the video and pledge levels -- our most popular levels are the book and level where I can draw your avatar (you keep the original line art and receive a digital copy). If we don't reach the goal by March 25 at 8:20 PM no one who has pledged gets charged and the book project won't happen at this time.

I'm excited that some of my heroes in the comics industry have tweeted or retweeted news about the Kickstarter (Raina Telgemeier, Brad Guigar, Jimmy Palmiotti, Kenneth Rocafort, Dean Haspiel, Teresa Roberts Logan, and Elizabeth Watasin to name a few). Now if I could only get Michelle Obama to Instagram again! I wish. 

Pledge to the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/curls-the-ultimate-book-collection

Curls Kickstarter Update -- 60% Funded

Hi everyone,

I just got back inside from shoveling snow. Now I'm happy to be by the warmth of this glowing monitor. It means so much to me and I love to make other people happy with art and stories, so I'm thrilled to have people joining me on this Curls Kickstarter adventure.

Today we passed the $3,000 mark and became 60% funded.

There's still a lot to accomplish and we have 19 days to do it.

I'm excited that some of my heroes in the comics industry have tweeted or retweeted news about the Kickstarter (Raina Telgemeier, Brad Guigar, Jimmy Palmiotti, Kenneth Rocafort, Dean Haspiel, and Elizabeth Watasin to name a few). Now if I could only get Michelle Obama to Instagram again! I wish. 

Since this is my first Kickstarter, I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on how I can make the currently running campaign better or if there are backer rewards you'd like me to offer that I have not thought of.

We've recently been covered online by ComicsDC, Comics in Education, and Team Cul de Sac. Are there any media outlets or specific interest niches you think would dig the Curls comic strip? Maybe you yourself have a blog and want to help get the world out? Reach out to me at info@curls-studio.com if you have any ideas.

I did some math and if everyone who has already pledged recruited at least one person each to pledge for the Curls book, we would be 100% funded. Send your friends a direct link -- http://kck.st/1EprkMX -- or use the "Share this project" button under the video to connect with your pals on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Embed Video or Widget on your website or blog. 

Thanks! 

XOXO,

Carolyn

Curls Kickstarter is LIVE!

Hi everyone! I just launched the Curls Kickstarter a few minutes ago. You can take a look at the film and rewards and everything else here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/curls-the-ultimate-book-collection

The goal is to print a book of all the Curls comic strip I've ever made, but I also set up some fun reward packages for you. Check this out. 

1. A song by Mr. Bandit inspired by Curls
2. Your name in the book acknowledgements 
3. Computer wallpaper
4. Curls patch
5. Kickstarter exclusive button pack
6. Set of eight postcards featuring Curls inspired imagery created by Steve Conley (Bloop), Joshua Daniel (Dime-Store Noir), S. L. Gallant (G.I Joe), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Lauren Jaslow (snarkystudios.), Teresa Roberts Logan (Laughing Redhead Studios), Arsia Rozegar (The Incredible Hulk), and Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School). 
7. Signed book with sketch
8. Curls Cowgirl Print
9. Kickstarter exclusive backer print
10. Avatar (original line art and color digital copy)
11. Toast doll
12. Pen Pals
13. Dinner with Carolyn and Joe
14. Carolyn and Joe speaking engagement

For the next 30 days, you'll be able to make pledges to help support this project, ranging from $1 to whatever amount you can contribute. You can select from the reward packages—listed on the right side. You can even pledge more than the minimum to get a reward if you want. Your credit card or other account will not be charged at the time you make your pledge. 

If we've reached our goal when the deadline arrives (Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 8:20 PM EST) then everyone gets charged the amount they pledged at once. If we don't meet our goal no fees are applied and everyone keeps their money. If we fail to meet the goal, then no one gets any rewards either—and that would not be a fun day.

Please help spread the word and tell your friends.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Recap: cARToons Exhibit - Opening Reception

Last Saturday, July 20, 2013 was the opening reception of the cARToons exhibit at Modern Times Coffeehouse (inside Politics & Prose bookstore).

There was a great turnout and it was a lovely evening to enjoy the work of DC area comic creators. The staff at Modern Times said it was their biggest art opening ever! Big thanks to Teresa Roberts Logan for organizing the show. Check out her comic Fog of Worry. Also thank you to Joe Carabeo of Astray Productions for taking the event photos.

Here are my pieces in the show. Original ink of Curls riding a mule, the color print, and the print of the Curls comic strip, "Chirp."

Above is a photo of me with Bud Grace and Lorraine. I'm so glad to be a cartoonist and be able to meet other talented and funny people.

You can see all the photos on the Curls Studio Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151714668472381.1073741834.50763422380&type=3

If you missed the opening reception, you can still visit the show at 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC until September 1, 2013.

cARToons Exhibit - Opening Reception

Join us for the cARToons exhibit opening reception at Modern Times Coffeehouse (inside POLITICS & PROSE bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC) on Saturday, July 20 from 7 to 9PM.

We have comic artists, animators, illustrators, syndicated cartoonists, Pulitzer Prize winners, Reuben Awards nominees, and all sorts of comic goodness going on. Limited edition and original artwork will be on display.

I will have one original Curls illustration and two signed Curls prints framed and available for purchase.

At the opening reception we will be serving wine, lemonade, iced tea, fruit, vegetables, cheese, white bean dip with crackers, and more. Hope to see you there.

Thanks to the DC Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society and D.C. Conspiracy. Thanks to Teresa Roberts Logan for getting the show in gear.

You can RSVP on Facebook using this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/196638567164845/

If you miss the reception, the show will run from July 16 until September 1.

Awesome Con DC is April 20-21, 2013

Join Curls Studio at their Artist Alley table (#223) and the three panels Carolyn and Joe will be appearing on at Awesome Con DC. All the action will be happening April 20-21 at the DC Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place, NW). 

There are a ton of excellent programming events as well as celebrity guests including Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Billy West (Futurama, Ren & Stimpy, Doug, Looney Tunes), Phil LaMarr (Ghostbusters, MADtv, Pee-wee's Playhouse stage show), and Theodus Crane (The Walking Dead).

Tickets are available here: http://awesomecondc.com/tickets/

AWESOME CON SHOW HOURS
Saturday, April 20, 2013 10AM-7PM
Sunday, April 21, 2013 10AM-5PM

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 3PM

Room 102B 

DISTRICT COMICS

Chronicling the unconventional history of our nation’s capital, District Comics has won numerous awards and has received critical acclaim across the U.S. Join the writers and artist who came together to honor our favorite city during this Q and A panel moderated by ComicsDC’s Mike Rhode. Panelists include Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Rafer Roberts, Andrew Cohen, Jacob Warrenfeltz, and Carolyn Belefski.

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 6PM

Room 102B 
PRO WRESTLING TODAY: HOW WE'D BOOK IT
How would some of Awesome Con’s guests (Including DC101’s Mike Jones & Astray Productions’s Joe Carabeo) have written some of wrestling’s biggest storylines? We will also discuss current storylines with the audience.

Sunday, April 21, 2013 - 2PM
Room 102A 
CAROLYN & JOE SHOW: LIVE PODCAST RECORDING
The brainchild of mad scientist cartoonist Carolyn Belefski and Astray Productions film director Joe Carabeo; created to fight the oncoming apocalypse one deadly word at time. With special guest Theo Crane from The Walking Dead! (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Hope to see you there!

Curls Halloween Bookmarks

Here at Curls Studio, we are looking for a few good Street Team members to distribute these beautiful (or should I say boo-tiful) Curls bookmarks to their treat-or-treat visitors on the evening on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. 

The bookmarks feature a Halloween comic strip with Curls and Turtle Neck on the front side. On the back side, all the characters are presented. You can read the strip in the photo I took above. The bookmark is posing with my pumpkin named Hattie.

If you are willing to help, all you have to do is email "info@curls-studio.com" with your mailing address. It also may be helpful to know how many trick-or-treaters you might expect. Then, like magic, a pack of bookmarks will be sent your way. If you have any leftovers, you can give them out again in 2013, or give them to your local library, school, doctor's office, dentist, or any other place you think will help spread the word of Curls.

Thanks so much to everyone on Facebook and Twitter who have already volunteered to distribute. I think the children will really enjoy this Halloween and the Curls bookmarks. Spooks!

Curls in Bloop Kickstarter-Exclusive Jam Print

I was asked by Steve Conley to be a part of his jam print for Bloop. He has a Kickstarter campaign going on for the next 10 days to support Bloop, the story of a little, green space monkey who is looking to find the perfect tree. Along the way, he makes some friends and discovers that not only his tree, but the entire planet, is threatened by robots bent on tearing the world apart. This first Bloop collection will be a giant 10 inches x 15 inches. He has a ton or rewards to unlock and many options and levels for you to pledge and help fund his project. You can learn more and consider pledging here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveconley/bloop-part-one-deluxe-oversized-hardcover

I created Curls as a Hollywood star for the glossy headshot up on the diner wall. She even put on some lipstick and kissed the photo, which also includes her signature.


Steve writes about the jam print:

Today, we unveil three more additions to the BLOOP Kickstarter-exclusive jam print:

• Amelia of Amelia Rules! by Jimmy Gownley (Jimmy recently capped his wonderful eight-book Amelia Rules! series with Amelia Rules: Her Permanent Record!)
• Curls by Carolyn Belefski (Carolyn is one of the nicest and friendliest cartoonists I know and her Curls webcomic is every bit as charming and funny as she is!)
• Mercurius by Rick Veitch (Rick is one of the legends of independent comics and known for some of the most challenging and sensational comics ever made.)

Jimmy, Carolyn and Rick join the first three cartoon patrons unveiled:

• Brandy of Liberty Meadows by Frank Cho (To call Frank a comics superstar is an understatement!)
• Billy Dogma by Dean Haspiel (One of my favorite comics artists and the only one who's won an Emmy Award!)
• Mel of Sunshine State by Graham Nolan (Graham co-created the Batman villain Bane and he followed that up by creating the best gator cartoon character since Albert of Pogo fame!)
• The Messenger by Jerry Ordway (Jerry is a true comics great and responsible for some of my favorite Marvel and DC comic books!)
• Nastajia of The Dreamland Chronicles by Scott Christian Sava (Scott has produced more than 2,000 - you read that right! - pages of breathtaking cgi comics and he's running his own Kickstarter at the moment, which I hope you'll check out!)

This lineup is amazing and we still have twelve more to announce!

This print will be a bonus to every backer pledging $20 or more if we can reach our first stretch goal of $6,000.

Thank you Steve - for creating such a great book and for letting Curls be a part of the jam print. We are honored.

Audio - Comics in the District: A Discussion with Local Creators

For episode 186 of The Carolyn & Joe Show podcast, we posted audio from last month's "Comics in the District: A Discussion with Local Creators" panel. The panel moderator was Mike Rhode and the panelists were Carolyn Belefski, Steve Conley, Evan Keeling, Andrew Cohen, and Matt Dembicki.

Take a listen to the show here: http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/1351/

Curls syndicated in "The Funnies"

My comic strip, Curls, is now being published monthly in a newspaper called "The Funnies" based out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. You can pick up a copy and one of the locations below or if you are interested in a subscription of $18.50 for 12 issues, email me at info[at]curls-studio[dot]com and I will pass on more information on how to order.