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

The Making of Carolyn Belefski's White House Cartoons

A lot of people have been asking about the work I recently did for The White House, which was released this week on their social media platforms. Since I posted process and the concept sketch of the comic book cover I did for Cartoon Network's Adventure Time comic this past summer, I thought many artists and creative types would get a kick out of this project showcasing the Affordable Care Act. I enjoy seeing behind-the-scenes, but the final product is always what the public will see. Here you will get a glimpse behind the curtain.

The White House Office of Digital Strategy approached me with the concept of creating health care comics. They provided the personas (athletic, hipster, caregiver, etc.) and I developed sketches of the character designs for approval. Above you will see the first and only attempt of the character designs. Stage one complete!

At this time I also provided three layout options on how tell the story best on social media. The White House provided me with dimensions that were possible for the project. As you can see in the top right, we selected the character head in the center and the text surrounding that area so it would not get cropped on certain sites (like Twitter) in preview. 

To clarify, yes, it would get cropped, but the text would not get cut off. The image above shows how we considered how the crop would look like. This was the first one I completed, and once that was approved, I completed the other comics for each character. They provided me with a script and did allow me to contribute to the story. It was a total collaboration!

I must also correct myself, in an interview with Jen Sorensen posted earlier today, I mentioned there were no art edits, but I was mistaken because I remembered (while writing this blog) that there was one change. I originally drew the guy at the gym working out without a shirt and showing his nipples. They asked me not to show the nipples in the preview section (area viewed in social, the non black area above), but I decided to put a shirt on him instead of redrawing the whole image. I only had to erase the nipples, add sleeves, and color in the shirt in Photoshop. This change only took five minutes and was easier to do than redraw the whole panel. Work smarter, not harder! Perhaps I forgot about this change because it didn't take long to alter. I would have liked to include the nipples because it's funny and I like to call them pepperonis, but I don't know if America can take another wardrobe malfunction. But hey, the Super Bowl is this Sunday so maybe Katy Perry is planning to stun us.

Regarding color palette we agreed to have a minimal flat color look and I selected the colors. After the first one was approved, I hit the ground running with the same look and colors to make each comic connect and work together as a system.

Yesterday First Lady posted the athletic cartoon I illustrated for ‪#‎GetCovered‬ on her Instagram and Twitter accounts. Right now it has received 16,041 likes on Instagram. It feels good to have Michelle Obama and the rest of the world see my art. 

I know the health care debate is rough from all angles. Because of these illustrations, I've read people's comments calling me a sell out and telling me how to draw. I've also seen other media sites say this is The White House's attempt to make Obamacare seem cool. I take that as a compliment because my cartoons are cool! Another site called it childish. I have some news for them: Cartoons can be all-ages. Adults can enjoy them too. You can be "grown-up" and contribute to society, read comics, watch animation, or draw. I pay my mortgage, car bill, buy groceries, and commute to work every day. I can enjoy cartoons. Don't call us childish. Call us childlike. There is a difference.

Another point I want to make is that I have worked for conservative and liberal clients. You may have conservative and liberal friends. Or friends who are environmental. Or libertarian. Or friends who like pizza crust or don't (for the record, I'm not friends with those people). I am an equal opportunity artist and I work with people who want to work with me.

Part of why I took this gig on was because I was extremely pleased that The White House was interested in publishing comics and trying something different. Reaching out to new audiences who are visual learners or experimenting with Instagram is not a bad thing. I know how politics work, but please -- attacking art as a medium is an all-time low. Anyone remember prehistoric cave paintings? This is history. Art is history.

I also took on this assignment because it is important to take care of yourself and know what your options are. I like how many of the characters in this series are aiming to be the best version of themselves they can be. The images showcase healthy eating and exercising, which are important to me. Taking care of yourself and your body shows self respect and I wish more Americans and humans overall showed that initiative.

Not all the comics have been posted on their social media accounts at this time, but you can view them all by visiting WhiteHouse.gov or by looking below. The caregiver cartoon has been animated and is on The White House Instagram account.

Thank you to The White House for this opportunity and thank you to so many people online who have "liked" and commented and reposted. If you enjoyed these cartoons, please read my comic strip Curls and the other fun things I create to make others smile. I really do enjoy being Cartoonist for America.

Available for Freelance Work
If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please email Carolyn Belefski at info@curls-studio.com. View my portfolio: http://www.carolynbelefski.com

The Making of Carolyn Belefski's Adventure Time Cover

Check it out! I did an exclusive comic cover for Cartoon Network's Adventure Time #29 published by Boom! Studios. It's a limited edition Cards, Comics, and Collectibles cover. Thank you for the opportunity.

Here is a rare glimpse at my thumbnail concept sketch. I provided five concepts to select from and they went with the underwater cover.

It feels good to say I am one of the talented Adventure Time artists. I'll have the covers at my table for Baltimore Comic-Con, SPX, and New York Comic Con (Curls Studio be at Small Press, booth 1162). See you then!

Carolyn Belefski Banner Art for SPX

Earlier this year I was asked by Small Press Expo to create web banner art for SPX 2012. Back in March, I created an animated .gif to advertise the show. My concept features an owl and a bird, sitting on tree branches, chirping away about the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY -- question and answer dialogue about SPX. WHY, of course, referring to the chocolate fountain at Saturday night's Ignatz Awards, which I wouldn't miss for the world.


My banner art has been featured for months on the SPX Tumblr and will be forever encapsulated at the US Library of Congress. In addition, it will be available in the "SPX 2012 Limited Edition Print Set" that contains all of the the incredible art used to promote the show. There are only 25 sets and all will be signed by the artists. Each set includes:
• Jaime Hernandez’s badge art
• Chris Ware’s poster
• Becky Driestadt’s poster
• Marguerite Dabaie, Carolyn Belefski, and Julia Wertz banner art
• Dustin Harbin, Michael DeForge, and John Martz banner art
• Michael DeForge’s program cover
• Andy K’s postcard art
• Theo Ellsworth’s flyer

Some of these prints will also be for sale individually in similarly limited quantities.

Join us for SPX 2012 in Bethesda, MD this weekend and visit me at Table W6A! Here's a handy map to guide you, along with more details about the show: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2012/09/appearing-at-spx-2012.html

Dollar Bin Friends Assembled Volume 5: Showcase

If you'll be at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC this weekend, be on the look-out for The Dollar Bin and their 5th annual Friends Assembled anthology. This year's theme is "Showcase" and required a pin-up style contribution. Joe Carabeo delivered the scenario for this Kid Roxy art in Friends Assembled, so be sure to pick a copy up while you are there.

The Dollar Bin will also be covering many of the panels and interviewing people all over the convention hall. Another thing to check out while you're there is Team Cul de Sac and Chris Sparks representing at Heroes Con. Many other great people such as Bryan JL Glass, Thom Zahler, and Rafer Roberts will be at the event as well. If you'll be exhibiting at Heroes Con this weekend, feel free to add your name and booth info in the comments!

I hope everyone has a good time. Even though Curls Studio isn't physically present, we are glad to be included in The Dollar Bin's Friends Assembled anthology.

If you are interested in reading Kid Roxy or any of our other books, visit our online store to purchase: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cartooncarolyn

Magic Bullet #4 Release Party

Magic Bullet is a Washington, DC comics newspaper and the fourth edition of the paper was recently released to the public. You can grab a free copy at many of the fine establishments in the full list of places where you can find Magic Bullet #4 here: http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com

If you are a retailer, friend, or distributor outside the D.C. area who wants copies of Magic Bullet #4, we can mail a bundle (100 copies) parcel post for a flat $25. Contact mattdembicki (at) gmail.com if you are interested.

There will be a free release party at Big Planet Comics in Vienna, VA on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from noon to 3PM. More than a dozen contributors from this issue will be there, and they'll have some of their own self-published comics for sale! Plus there will be a BBQ in the parking lot. You simply can't miss this! All are invited. RSVP to the event on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/315946351785161/

Curls Studio will be at the release party to celebrate their Black Magic Tales story "The Mystery of the Big Hit" published in Magic Bullet #4 and we hope to see you there.

Recap: GV Expo 2011

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo spoke on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 as part of the annual DC Metro Final Cut Users Group special event taking place at the Government Video Expo, the East Coast’s largest pro video and broadcast expo.

It was interesting because most of the other speakers there were discussing very high tech stuff, such as the Arri Alexa camera and Autodesk Smoke. Curls Studio and Astray Productions presented some of our latest work along with glimpses of our how our process works while focusing on the topic of fun and how you can interject elements of yourself into projects to make it fun. I hope the attendees really appreciated our presentation and believe it was refreshing to see some practical effects and low tech innovation. We also made a film around one minute long that encompasses all 365 of my Sketch Before Sleep illustrations. I think it turned out to be really amazing.


We gave away a mystery box in the raffle at the end of the day. It's confidential.


Thanks to Rodney Mitchell (who is pictured with Joe and I in the photo above) for inviting us to speak.

Speaking at GV Expo on Nov. 30

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011 as part of the annual DC Metro Final Cut Users Group special event taking place at the Government Video Expo, Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo will be bringing their own brand of fun by speaking live at this amazing event. This will definitively be a happening not to be missed, especially if you’ve heard their weekly podcast, The Carolyn & Joe Show!

Register now to attend the East Coast’s largest pro video and broadcast expo. It's free to attend.

Agenda
• Smoke on Mac Demo with Autodesk's Ken La Rue! Demo on a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt!
• Carolyn and Joe - Meet the creators of Curls Studio and Astray Productions and their hostile world domination of COMICS, DESIGN, FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY and more!
• Dennis Boni showcases the amazing ARRI ALEXA camera
• Keynote - Gary Adcock
• Robbie Carman - Colorist
• Toolfarm Plug-in Demo (Dan Warvi/Michele Yamazaki)
• Jeff Greenberg
• Winner's Circle Raffle

Harvey Pekar Kickstarter

Hi everyone,

There are two weeks more to go with the "Harvey Pekar Library Statue: Comics as Art & Literature Desk" Kickstarter fundraiser and during this time, I ask you please consider donating. If you donate $10 or more, contact me at info[at]curls-studio.com and I will mail you a 5"x5" signed print of my Harvey Head illustration, which is shown above.


I met Harvey in 2005 when I was a volunteer at Small Press Expo. Joe and I have fond memories of only being around him for brief moments.

So if you have some extra change, consider donating to the Kickstarter. Joyce also suggested having an American Splendor viewing party and passing a laptop (or hat) around to raise money. Either way, if Harvey impacted you life in comics, as a artist or writer, or life observations in general... please consider this project.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Amber Love at B16 NYCC Saturday

Curls Studio is pleased to announce that Cosplay, Pin-Up Model Amber Love will be joining us at Artist Alley, Table B16 on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from Noon to 1 or 2PMish! She will be signing the above print, which was specifically created for this year's New York Comic Con. It's an EXCLUSIVE.

You can also find her all over the convention. Here is her full schedule: http://www.amberunmasked.com/find-me-at-nycc/

She writes:

"People have been asking me what costumes I’ll be wearing and it’s going to be a low key costuming year for me. I’ll be one of the LEGETTE super spies for the CURLS STUDIO booth (B16) on Saturday from noon until at least 1:00 or 2:00 with Carolyn Belefski. I love Carolyn’s art so much and the fact that she created burlesque super spies is pretty darn fantastic! Find me there. Carolyn’s art was featured on our t-shirts for the 2010 Wonder Woman Day at Comic Fusion."

Don't forget Curls Studio will be at "The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators" on Friday from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at 1B03. Here is more info about our NYCC plans: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-york-comic-con-2011-panel-and-table.html

This exclusive print is listed under "Show Special" on the NYCC website here: http://nycc11.mapyourshow.com/5_0/exhibitor_details.cfm?exhid=338259

See you in one week!

XOXO,
Carolyn

Recap: Bleeding the Narrative at UMD

"Bleeding the Narrative: Comics in Art and Culture" was on September 9, 2011. The University of Maryland gathered five creators who were in town the day before Small Press Expo: Jim Rugg, Robert Ullman, Monica Gallagher, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Carolyn Belefski.


The event started with each of us presenting about ten minutes worth of material. I talked about my influences, inspirations, design work, illustration, freelance work, and comics.


After our presentations, we took questions from the audience for about an hour more.



Guests were able to come up to us one-on-one to ask questions after the roundtable. They also served soda and cookies at the reception. I got enquiries about graphic design and was happy to give advice to the students. About half of the audience planned on going to SPX that weekend - an added plus was that SPX provided free passes to all roundtable attendees!



I was very impressed with my fellow panelists and their quality work. I left the event feeling inspired to create after our discussion.



You can listen to audio of the roundtable here:
http://curls-studio.com/media/bleeding/umbc1.mp3
http://curls-studio.com/media/bleeding/umbc2.mp3

Here is my presentation, so you can follow along with the visuals: http://curls-studio.com/media/bleeding/umbc_presentation_carolynbelefski.pdf
(All personal work, comics, and freelance design projects © Carolyn Belefski and Curls Studio)

Thanks to all who attended the event or who are listening to it now. Drop me a line at info[at]curls-studio.com, if you have any follow-up questions.

Speaking at University of Maryland 9/9/11

I was invited to speak at the University of Maryland this Friday, September 9, 2011 from 1-3PM.


Bleeding the Narrative: Comics in Art and Culture

Panelists: Jim Rugg, Robert Ullman, Monica Gallagher, Alexis E. Fajardo, Carolyn Belefski

The University of Maryland is in College Park, MD, 20742. The roundtable will be in the Michelle Smith Collaboratory for Visual Culture, which is on the 4th floor of the Art-Sociology Building.

I will be discussing my work, visual style, technique, inspiration, storytelling, career background, art direction, graphic design, illustration, freelance, and comics.

Open to the public. Hope to see you there and at SPX this weekend! Fear the turtle.

Curls on Canvas (from Easy Canvas Prints)

I am excited to present to you this amazing canvas of my Curls illustration I received recently from Easy Canvas Prints. The canvas is 20" x 16" with a 1.5″ wrap around the side.

The canvas material Easy Canvas Prints uses is archival quality. If using a photo of your own, Easy Canvas Prints also offers a variety of enhancements including Black and White or Sepia Conversion, Retouching, and Photo Collages. Take a look – these could make fantastic personal and affordable gifts, especially for a special occasion!


Curls Studio is tag teaming with Easy Canvas Prints to give away one free 20" x 16" canvas. If you win, you can decide between receiving the Curls canvas above or the ability to upload your own image or photograph.

HOW TO ENTER
1.) Like Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook (www.facebook.com/easycanvasprints)
2.) Follow Easy Canvas Prints on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/easycanvas)
3.) Like Curls Studio on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Curls-Studio/50763422380)
4.) Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/carolynbelefski)
5.) Tweet the following message: "Read CURLS Comic Strip at http://www.curls-studio.com/curls and enter to win free @easycanvas. Pls RT. #CURLScomic"

The winner must be located in the contiguous US. Winner will be announced this Saturday, September 3 at 10AM EST. Tell your friends!

Magic Bullet #2 - Washington DC's Comics Newspaper

Last August, Washington DC's Comics Newspaper - Magic Bullet - was launched with issue #1. Now Magic Bullet #2 has hit the streets... literally. Last Monday, members of DC Conspiracy, a collective of local comic-book creators and enthusiasts, were at Metro and MARC stations handing out copies. If you don't commute via mass transportation in the DC area, don't fret. Check out Magic Bullet sightings, a handy Google Maps page with many shops and establishments where the newspaper can be found.


Curls Studio has a Black Magic Tales story in Magic Bullet #2, titled "Good Enough." Above is a small image of Curls Studio's comic. I will post a larger image once the printed newspaper has had it's run, but for now if you want to read the comic, make some effort and hunt down a copy of Magic Bullet. Speaking of which, you will be able to get your hands on one at Capicons on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Hall from 10AM to 3PM. I'll be there for sure. See you there!

(Related: Want to read the Black Magic Tales story from Curls Studio which was published in Magic Bullet #1? Check out: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2010/09/black-magic-tales-reunion.html)

garmentDISTRICT presents Light It Up

Curls Studio is participating in LIGHT IT UP hosted by garmentDISTRICT opening today, February 18 from 6-10 PM at 1005 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.


I created two original inked illustrations in 5" x 7" frames specifically for this event. The art shows Dean Casanova and Roxy Monroe with their cat, Black Magic. They are Curls Studio's creator-owned "Black Magic Tales" comic characters. The art is also marked in red with a "Roxy and Dean" one-of-a-kind stamp.

View the gallery and boutique featuring local designers with entertainment at the neighboring LUX Lounge tonight.

Hours of Operation - Boutique, Lounge, Sewing Room
Wednesday-Friday: 5-9 PM
Saturday: 12-9 PM
Sunday: 12-6 PM
Presidents Day, Monday 2/21: 12-9 PM

garmentDISTRICT: a temporary retail and art installation will be open February 18 thru March 20, 2011.

Carolyn Belefski - Artist Statement
My comic art is exciting and fun because it revolves around the creator-owned characters Curls Studio owns. I think and focus on their personalities, movements and what makes them who they are. The art represents the story and each illustration shows the viewer the character's attitude and reactions to the world around them.

One of my top goals is an artist is to entertain and make people happy. I set out to produce a reaction from the viewer and evoke the emotive qualities of the character. Many people these days are loosing touch with the qualities of being human, so I believe it is important for a viewer to feel something and experience a story thru my art.

Carolyn Belefski - Influences
Everything I have ever seen or experienced in life goes into what I create, however cartoon animation is a major influence on my comics style. I enjoy the work and creations of Chuck Jones, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Walt Disney, Jeff Smith, Paul Reubens, Tim Burton, Bruce Timm, Jean Shepherd and many other storytellers.

Black Magic Tales: Reunion

In honor of our high school reunion, which was yesterday... here's the Black Magic Tales story Joe and I created for Magic Bullet #1. We hope you enjoy it. Click the image above to read and click again to zoom in closer or press command + on your keyboard.


Magic Bullet is a Washington, DC based comics newspaper that you can find around town - at music stores, eateries, comic shops, metro stations and other hip locations.