Recap: SPX 2019

Small Press Expo 2019 wrapped last month and it was a great show that celebrated 25 years of America's Premiere Independent Cartooning and Comic Arts Festival.

It was fun to have Kickstarter be a sponsor and they gave me a goody bag of stuff including nice book stands and a balloon to showcase my two past Kickstarter projects (Curls Book Collection and 100 Sad Fish).

I stepped away from the table for a bit to get Raina Telgmeier to sign her book, Ghosts. Her line was limited to 200 people and only one item could be signed with no sketches. Exciting to see her and her career take off, but we all knew that back when I attended my first SPX back in 2004.

Every inch on every table was covered in fabulous comics and creativity. It was refreshing to be tabled next to someone who was experiencing her first SPX. It's a much different show than it was a handful of years ago at the old hotel. I have fun memories from that time period as well, but things are always changing and progressing. I enjoy seeing the talent at SPX each and every year and hope to be back again!

Thanks to Cynthia Tenicela for the photograph. Thanks to everyone who stopped to say hi and look at the Curls Studio table.

The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston at The Embassy of Canada

On the evening of September 12, 2019 I was privileged to attend the opening of “The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston,” an art exhibition exploring the career of Canadian comic artist Lynn Johnston and the themes of her popular comic strip For Better or Worse at The Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. The exhibit shows selections from the comic’s 30-year history, highlighting the characters that readers know and love, and includes content from The Washington Post, as well as original artwork and current projects.



It was get to be able to share a small moment and take a photo with Lynn, whom I’d seen briefly at past National Cartoonists Society events. My mom is a fan of For Better or Worse and she told me it was always the first thing she read in the newspaper and she lead me to my first exposure of Lynn Johnston’s work.

I will be updating my Instagram stories today to showcase my photos that contain more glimpses of the exhibit. The stories will be on my IG account (@Carolyn Belefski) at https://www.instagram.com/carolynbelefski for the next 24 hours. Thanks to The Embassy of Canada for a great opening event. Thanks to Bruce for taking our photo. We were glad to be a part of it!

“The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston” runs through January 31, 2020. The Embassy’s art gallery is located next to the Newseum at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, free of charge.

Cartoon Art Exhibition at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Gallery

View this post on Instagram

Big thanks to my friend Danny for helping me put up part of my art show featuring "Curls" comic strips at the beautiful @ridgetopcoffee in Sterling, Virginia. ☕ Prints and original art are available for purchase directly from the wall -- simply contact staff. Stay 'tooned for an announcement about a "Meet The Artist" event where I'll have exclusive illustrations, comic books, buttons, and more. www.CarolynBelefski.com #Curls #CurlsStudio #coffee #ridgetopcoffee #art #comicstrips #exhibit #sofa #gallery #cartoon

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Oct 22, 2018 at 6:23pm PDT

A new exhibition by Carolyn Belefski is open at the Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Art Gallery (21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA). The show features 16 "Curls" comic strip prints and 15 original ink art pieces that will be on display until November 30.

A “Meet The Artist” event will take place on November 18 from 9AM to 12 Noon and will feature comic books, original art, buttons, prints, and other rare items available for purchase. Carolyn will be available to autograph items and visitors will have the opportunity to buy affordable art and gifts in advance of the holiday shopping rush.

Please connect with Ridgetop employees if you are interested in purchasing art directly from the walls.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/255319051835562

Monday-Friday 7AM to 9PM
Saturday-Sunday 8AM to 4PM

New York Comic Con 2018 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS (October 4-7) of New York Comic Con 2018 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Please say hello and introduce yourself!

I'll also be signing at National Cartoonists Society Booth 304 on Thursday from 1-4PM, but the rest of the time I'll be at Booth 1162.

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday, October 4 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday, October 5 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 6 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 7 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there! 

New York Comic Con 2017 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS (October 5-8) of New York Comic Con 2017 at Small Press, Booth 1162. We will be joined again with Teresa Roberts Logan of Laughing Redhead Studio in the same booth location. Please say hello and introduce yourself!

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday, October 5 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday, October 6 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 7 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 8 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there! 

New York Comic Con 2016 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS (October 6-9) of New York Comic Con 2016 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Like last year, we will be joined with Teresa Roberts Logan of Laughing Redhead Studio in the same booth location. Please say hello and introduce yourself!

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday, October 6 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday, October 7 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 8 • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 9 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there! 

Recap: SPX 2016

Small Press Expo 2016 happened this past weekend and Curls Studio had a delightful time exhibiting. We had the chance to give readers a "first taste" of our new series, French Fry Club.

We also enjoyed meeting new faces and continuing our relationship with people we may only see once or twice a year at comic shows.

Thats a wrap on #spx2016 @spxcomics !! Curls Studio ( @carolynbelefski and @astrayj ) had a rocking time. Thanks #spx Duncan made it just in time! www.curls-studio.com - #curlsstudiotour2016 #joecarabeo #carolynbelefski #creatorowned ##comicbooks #comics #curlsstudio

A video posted by JOE (@astrayj) on Sep 18, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

Thanks to everyone who visited our table! The next time you can catch us will be in a few weeks at New York Comic Con. We'll be at Table #1162 in the Small Press section on the main show floor. I'll post a blog with the floor plan map soon.

Featured on Kindness Activist

The work we've done with Cartoonists Draw Blood was recently featured on Kindness Activist.

This blog highlights KINDNESS ACTIVISM - purposeful acts of kindness. Kindness spreads when shared, so go out and be kind. Talk of the kindness you witness. Inspire others. Kindness is a super power that needs to be shared.

Thanks to Susan for spotlighting all the kind things people are doing in the world. You can read the full article here: http://kindnessactivist.blogspot.com/2016/07/cartoon-kindness.html

Speaking of Cartoonists Draw Blood, some of us were invited to draw during a Takoma Park City Counsel meeting last week and our art show continues until September 4 at Takoma Park Community Center. That means you have a little over a month to swing by and check out the show!

Reminder that our next blood drive with American Red Cross is Saturday, October 29 from 10:00AM to 3:30PM at Seekers Church (276 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012). You can sign up to donate blood by emailing CartoonistsDrawBlood@gmail.com.

Recap: Cartoonists Draw Blood Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Last night we hosted the opening reception of the "Cartoonists Draw Blood" art exhibit at Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912). Several of the artists in the exhibit were able to join us and greet the attendees. We provided refreshments and had a table of our comics for sale, in addition to the work on the walls. I sold a piece during installation the night before, so it was exciting to hand that off for someone else to enjoy. I was also interviewed by a TV station about Curls and the blood drive group and a few of the other artists were also interviewed. 

I had a fun time meeting new faces and also being able to enjoy moments with the other artists. After the show, we received an impromptu tour of the Takoma Library, specifically the graphic novel section. A few of us hung around for a mini ping pong challenge. 

Here are (left to right): Joe Carabeo, Steve Loya, Joe Sutliff, Jake Warrenfeltz, Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Bill Brown, Carolyn Belefski, and Eric Gordon receiving the library tour (Art Hondros and Jay Payne left earlier in the evening)



I've been having a blast with Snapchat and Vine recently, so there is behind-the-scenes footage of the installation and show on Snapchat -- Add me on Snapchat!

The exhibit will be up until September 4, so you have over a month to view this diverse show. There was chatter about hosting a closing reception, no hard details yet, but check back to the blog for additional updates.

Thanks so much to the City of Takoma Park Government for giving us the space and visibility to showcase our talents. Thanks also to Bill Brown for providing assistance in organizing the show with me.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1720147881594070

Cartoonists Draw Blood Art Exhibit

This coming Thursday, July 7, 2016 everyone is invited to our first "Cartoonists Draw Blood" art exhibit at Takoma Park Community Center from 6:30-8PM. The exhibit will feature work from artists who have participated in our past blood drives. We'll have refreshments, fun, the opportunity to meet the artists in-person, and browse or purchase the art!

"Cartoonists Draw Blood" is a project I've organized with National Cartoonists Society since 2013. Every year we host a drive with American Red Cross where blood donors meet local cartoonists and receive a complimentary thank you drawing after donating blood. Mark your calendar – our next blood drive is Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 10AM-3:30PM at Seekers Church, across for the Takoma metro station.

The exhibit is part of the "Stylized Notions: Works by Cartoonists Draw Blood, Mike Guy, William L. Brown and Timothy Lee Giles" show hosted by City of Takoma Park, MD – Municipal Government.

Facebook RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1720147881594070

ARTISTS INCLUDE:
Art Hondros, Bill Brown, Carolyn Belefski, Eric Gordon, Jake Warrenfeltz, Jay Payne, Joe Carabeo, Joe Sutliff, Mal Jones, Matt Rawson, Steve Artley, Steve Loya, Teresa Roberts Logan

THANKS:
Bill Brown, Steve Loya, Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Takoma Park Community Center

New York Comic Con 2015 - Booth 1162 on the Show Floor

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS of New York Comic Con 2015 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Like last year, we will be joined with Teresa Roberts Logan of Laughing Redhead Studio in the same booth location. We both represent the Washington, DC chapter of National Cartoonists Society.

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

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

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there and stop by to say hello! 

Recap: SPX 2015

Small Press Expo 2015 was the best SPX we've had in recent memory -- not just in terms of sales, but overall show vibe. We had a great time! Like last year I hopped across the street before the show started to quickly grab food at a Farmer's Market in the adjacent parking lot. I purchased apples, carrots, and cucumbers. I'm at a point in life where I'd rather eat fruits and vegetables than fast food.

We premiered three new mini comics this year: Little Red Monster, Funny Farm, and Cyber Nate. You can read more about Little Red Monster here. Funny Farm is a coloring book where I drew comedians as farm animals. Cyber Nate is an action adventure series concept I came up with about a humble flying squirrel named Nate who becomes responsible for protecting the world's last remaining hibernating animal society from mysterious creatures during the futuristic ice age. I asked Joe to help me flesh out the story and we've been collaborating and enjoying the process of creating this new property.

It feels amazing to be able to show these concepts to the SPX audience.

Here is my Vine from SPX: https://vine.co/v/ePqIihb2YaF (please listen without sound, as I had my Square plugged in the headphones of my phone and apparently it creates a disturbing sound -- good to know).

More photos can be viewed on the Curls Studio Facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who visited our table! The next time you can catch us will be this coming weekend during Baltimore Comic-Con at Table 3011 in the Kids Love Comics pavilion. We'll be bringing the mini comics mentioned above and more -- I'll post a blog with the floor plan map tomorrow.

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.

Recap: New York Comic Con 2014

New York Comic Con 2014 was a sweet success for Curls Studio and by all reports it seems like NYCC has now surpassed San Diego as the most attended comic convention in America, as NYCC reported 151,000 people. There is no denying NYCC has majorly grown in the course of one year. 

In previous years, Thursday was slow and was only for those with VIP or special pro badges. This year there was already a crowd as soon as we arrived at the convention with our cart to set-up at noon on Thursday. Of course our morning was filled with packing the car in the dark morning light of Virginia, getting gas, and withering the New Jersey Turnpike until we pulled into the Javits Center to unload. The night before we recorded our podcast with Teresa Roberts Logan from Laughing Redhead Studio who exhibited with us at booth #1162 for the second year in a row. Next year we should leave a bit earlier to be fully prepared for the noon crowd charge and it was a pleasant surprise to have a successful Thursday. 

I noticed several vendors had already given away their free promotions by Friday. For example, Cirque du Soleil had tote bags that did not replenish for the weekend crowds and Ghostery was giving out blue ghost stress balls that were gone quickly. I don't think anyone anticipated the Thursday crowds.

As an exhibitor it is hard to see the scope of the show, attend panels, or even step away to go to the bathroom. This year I got to see most of the show by arriving early on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the show started. I was most impressed with the Weta Digital booth which featured a gigantic resting dragon. The dragon's eyelids would slightly open to reveal glowing eyes as if visitors were interrupting a nap.

Adventure Time #29, the exclusive cover I did for Boom! Studios did very well. I also premiered new Comics Heart t-shirts available in aqua and asphalt in sizes XS, S, M, L, and XL as well as the new Sad Fish button collection. I plan to have both available online shortly, but you can email me at info[at]curls-studio.com if you'd like to purchase!

I enjoyed my time on Friday signing at the National Cartoonists Society booth. It was great to meet people interested in what we do and they were selling special t-shirts as well. On Friday evening we also got to see the "Juanjo Guarnido in the Freak Kitchen" panel. He is the artist of one of my favorite books, Blacksad.

On Saturday I tried to see a panel in the day, but that was quickly shot down as it was full and tons of people were sitting on the floor waiting for the room to open. At that point I really just wanted to go back to my booth, where I should be anyway! Gone are the days of NYCC a few years ago where there were some lines, but you could basically walk into a panel. However in the evening, we got to see the "Eastern Championships of Cosplay" event. It really made me want to create an outfit! Cosplay was amazing this year for sure.

NYCC 2014 was enjoyable, but exhausting! It does take a few days to recover back to 100% after preparing for the show, interacting with so many people, traveling, and overall visual stimulation. It was great to hang out with Joe and Teresa once again the share the booth. I think we really work well together and we are already discussing ideas for next year.

I've posted many more fabulous photographs taken by Joe and I on the Curls Studio Facebook page. Check them out and give us a "Like" while you are at it.

Thanks to everyone we met and everyone who keeps coming back to our booth each year! That's why we do this show -- to meet you! Hope to meet you in the near future. 

Joe and I will be at Annapolis Comic-Con this Sunday, October 19, 2014. It will most likely be our last tour date this year. After that my next appearance is this Wednesday, October 22, 2014 hosting the sold out Design & Doodle Workshop for DC Design Week.

New York Comic Con 2014 - Small Press, Booth 1162

You can find Curls Studio ALL FOUR DAYS of New York Comic Con 2014 at Small Press, Booth 1162. Like last year, we will be joined with Teresa Roberts Logan of Laughing Redhead Studio in the same booth location. We both represent the Washington, DC chapter of National Cartoonists Society.

New York Comic Con is held at the Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) in Midtown Manhattan. 

SHOW FLOOR HOURS - VISIT BOOTH 1162

Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

SIGNING AT THE NATIONAL CARTOONISTS SOCIETY BOOTH 1307

Friday 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. We hope you can join us there and stop by to say hello! 

Recap: SPX 2014

Small Press Expo 2014 was a fun time for us! When we drove into the hotel parking lot, I noticed a Farmer's Market at the adjacent parking lot, so after setting up our table we headed over to get our food supply for the day. I purchased a chocolate croissant and and baguette with leaf shapes from Fresh Baguette and at another vendor I got two peaches and a nectarine. Even though our lunch wasn't a full meal, it felt good to not go out during the event or eat fast food. I did notice the hotel got smart and had sandwiches and salads for sale near the event registration, but we figured we'd wait until dinner.

We spent most of the time at our table and were happy to see many people year after year. One of the great additions this year were giant balloons with letters to show each island of tables so attendees can find specific vendors easier. After you go to SPX for about three years you start to see the same faces and then SPX becomes a reunion – not only of comic creators, but also readers. A pal from high school and college who we had not seen in over a decade stopped by with his wife. I also saw friends who I know from AIGA and school. Early on Saturday I was able to cruise the outer parameter of the show floor and say hi to other creators. We distributed Magic Bullet #9 and also had several bundles out on the free table – which we kept refreshing because they went fast!

Animal Chronicles: Book Two was our new product at SPX. It is a series based on the aftermath of a solar flare barely passing by Earth causing animals to fuse with objects in their vicinity during the catastrophic event. Panel Patter did a spotlight on Animal Chronicles the week before SPX to showcase new publications. 

I was able to sign my Adventure Time cover, Curls in the Team Cul de Sac book, The Legettes, and more for fans.

As always, SPX is great to discover comics you won't ordinarily see in your local comic store. I noticed many names in the program guide from people on Twitter or other online outlets – only to confirm the great influence of the internet and webcomics. 

Here is my Vine from SPX: https://vine.co/v/Oavu2BWwdpX

Thanks to everyone who visited our table! The next time you can catch us will be New York Comic Con on October 9-12, 2014 at Comic Pavilion Table 1162 on the show floor.

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2014

This past weekend Curls Studio exhibited at Baltimore Comic-Con. This year the show expanded to three days. I was unable to attend Friday, but Joe was able to set up and bring Karen Michele, a model and SFX makeup artist he works with. Later on Friday evening, Joe and Karen checked up the Drink and Draw at Hooters, organized by Joe Sutliff. I had a sketch in the suction and the proceed go to Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise money for Parkinson's research. 

In addition to the third day, the space also switched to a larger part of the Baltimore Convention Center. I thought it looks more updated and the lighting was much more crisp and bright. We always have a great time at Baltimore Comic-Con. For some reason this is a show I always reunite with a lot of former co-workers at as I've seen people from my past three professional jobs there. I even got to teach my co-worker's new baby to create his first high five!

I enjoyed signing these autograph cards a fan made. They got really creative with the clipping path! 

We were interviewed for the podcast Comix Gab, which you can listen to here: http://www.comixgab.com/post/97008787721/comix-gab-episode-13-the-team-goes-down-to

Oh yeah, and I made a Vine! 

Quite a few people picked up the exclusive Adventure Time cover I did for issue #29, which came out a couple months ago.

Many people also picked up Magic Bullet #9, a comic anthology composed of mostly Washington, DC creator. This issue's theme is western and I enjoyed editing it. Here is a photo of Nick Galifianakis and I. Nick created this wonderful cover art for us.

Our hope is to exhibit again at Baltimore next year (save the date for September 25-27, 2015), but in the meantime you can see us this Saturday at Small Press Expo in Bethesda, MD at Table H10.

Recap: Smudge! Comics Arts Expo 2014

On Saturday, March 8, 2014 I exhibited at the first-ever Smudge! Expo at Artisphere. It was a great day with many familiar and new faces swinging by the Curls Studio table.

So many people grabbed their free copy of Magic Bullet at the front entrance. I hope everyone enjoys the newspaper and other goodies they were able to discover yesterday.

Here's a photo of Nick Galifianakis and I taken by Bruce Guthrie. Thanks to Matt and Tina for organizing the event and thanks to Artisphere for the venue space.

Recap: cARToons Exhibit at UDC

Last night was the closing reception for our cARToons exhibit at UDC. This is the second cARToons show put on by Teresa Roberts Logan. It was a pleasure talking to many other creative types at the show and handing out the latest issue of Magic Bullet. I also enjoyed Teresa's hand-painted typography of all the artists' names up on the wall above their work. Visitors also got to see my illustration "Curls: The Thinker" exclusively before I have released the image anywhere else. Thanks to everyone who came out for a lovely evening.

More photos are up on the Curls Studio Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152222601117381.1073741843.50763422380&type=3