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

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. 

McKay Used Books Book-or-Treat and Comic Logic Fall Lot Con

BOO-ks! I had fun evening last night from 5-7PM at McKay Used Books during their first Book-or-Treat Event in Manassas, VA. It was a very last minute show for me after just coming home from New York Comic Con (blog recap and photos to come soon from that show). They had games and candy for children and handled out passports so attendees could visit ever table to meet the vendors and get stamped. If they do this event again, I'd like to be able to be a part of it if I'm available.

On Sunday October 27, 2024 from Noon-4PM come out to the Comic Logic parking lot for their Fall Lot Con to peruse the goods and wares for sale from local creators, writers, artists, and more. Costumes are encouraged! There will be costume contests for kids, adults, and pets. Each vendor will have treats for kids to go "trick or treating" during the event. Curls Studio will be there with our big tent.

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!

Cartoonists Draw Blood is expanding to NYC in 2018

I've been working behind-the-scenes throughout the year trying to connect National Cartoonists Society chapter chairs with the correct American Red Cross representative connection in their region to expand “Cartoonists Draw Blood” events beyond Washington, DC. We are excited to announce the Manhattan chapter of NCS will be joining in this October 25! Not gonna lie, it's been hard to get the right people to help hook everything together, but this is a great start to make this program grow. I've heard interest from other chapters, so hopefully by this time next year I'd like to add a few more cities to the list and get the blood pumping.

Big thanks to American Red Cross, National Cartoonists Society, and all the volunteer cartoonists who will be donating their time and talents to the blood drive -- as well as encouraging blood donation.

Here are the two “Cartoonists Draw Blood” drives we have this year. I'll be representing at the DC event tomorrow morning.

WASHINGTON, DC
Saturday, October 20, 2018
9AM - 1PM
Palisades Community Church
5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Schedule your appointment in advance with this link (walk-ins are also welcome):
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades

MANHATTAN
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Noon - 5PM
The King's College, Student Union
56 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Here is the National Cartoonists Society website announcement about the events: http://www.reuben.org/2018/10/cartoonists-draw-blood-events-in-dc-nyc

Cartoonists Draw Blood is this Saturday, October 20, 2018

The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing the 6th annual blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" will be celebrated on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9AM to 1PM at Palisades Community Church at 5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 (same location as last year).

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 9AM to 1PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, register in advance at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=Palisades&fbclid=IwAR2S_VRfkPXaW4uwX-zcZ8dOFQm-EJrQ31p5wMMV96sNaafOFm3MllhHJFk

On the day of donation, please drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in your diet, and bring a list of medications you are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.

It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done five previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of several hundred people. 

This year's event will feature creators Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Eric Gordon, and Joe Sutliff. We will also have our second comics anthology, "Monsters" available for $5 (10% of the proceeds have been donated to American Red Cross after printing costs). 

In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is near Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2179785222302469

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Cartoonists Draw Blood is this Saturday, October 21, 2017

The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing the 5th annual blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" will be celebrated on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 8AM to 1PM at Palisades Community Church at 5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 (new location this year).

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 8AM to 1PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, register in advance at www.redcrossblood.org -- search keyword “PALISADES” 

On the day of donation, please drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in your diet, and bring a list of medications you are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.

It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done four previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of over 250 people. 

This year's event will feature creators Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, Eric Gordon, Art Hondros, Mal Jones, and Joe Sutliff. We will also have our first comics anthology, "Trick or Treat" available for $5 (10% of the proceeds have already been donated to American Red Cross). 

In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is near Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551371271590710/

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Cartoonists Draw Blood is next Saturday, October 29, 2016

The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing the 4th annual blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" will be celebrated on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 10AM to 3:30PM at Seekers Church (across the street from Takoma Metro) at 276 Carroll Street, NW.

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 10AM to 3:30PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, email CartoonistsDrawBlood@gmail.com. You may also register yourself online using this link.

On the day of donation, donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in their diet, and bring a list of medications they are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.

It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done three previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of over 200 people. 

This year event will feature cartoonists Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Bill Brown, Eric Gordon, Art Hondros, Kerry G. Johnson, Mal Jones, Liz Reed, Joe Sutliff, Kyra Taub, and Art Hondros.
  In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is near Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Free parking is available all weekend in the Takoma Metro parking lot across the street.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/491187757755990

American Red Cross Press Release: http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/local/washington-dc/Cartoonists-Draw-Blood-event

Recent podcast interview with participating cartoonist Joe Sutliff on the Carolyn and Joe Show: carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/joe-sutliff

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Cartoonists Draw Blood is next Saturday, October 31, 2015

The Washington, DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is organizing a blood drive in Washington, DC featuring several local cartoonists drawing for American Red Cross blood donors this Halloween -- "Cartoonists Draw Blood" on Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 10AM to 3:30PM at Seekers Church near Takoma Metro at 276 Carroll Street, NW.

Blood donors are encouraged sign up for appointments scheduled in 15-minute intervals between 10AM to 3:30PM and walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, email CartoonistsDrawBlood@gmail.com.

On the day of donation, donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids, include iron-rich foods in their diet, and bring a list of medications they are taking and a photo ID. All donors will be able to meet the cartoonists and receive a complimentary cartoon sketch.

It is a great opportunity for cartoonists to perform community service, showcase our talents, and save lives. We've done two previous blood drives, which have already saved the lives of up to 120 people. 

This year event will feature cartoonists Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Bill Brown, Chris Flick, Eric Gordon, Art Hondros, Kerry G. Johnson, Mal Jones, T.R. Logan, Liz Reed, and Joe Sutliff.

In past years, the cartoonists have drawn original spooky illustrations, family pets, caricatures, and more. Since this year's blood drive is on Halloween, we encourage attendees to come in costume, however it's not required to give blood. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Let your friends know about this event by sharing the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1502045900106928

Organizers: Carolyn Belefski, Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Halloween 2014

Hi Spooks! 

Thanks for reading Curls. Use hashtag #CurlsTrickOrTreat on social media to receive special treats from Curls. It's like digitally ringing my door bell.

XOXO, 
Carolyn 

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24 Hours of Halloween: Magic Bullet #7

Magic Bullet, Washington DC's comic newspaper anthology, was featured today on The Beat. Thanks to Heidi MacDonald and Adam McGovern for highlighting this publication with some press on Halloween. You can read all about it here: http://comicsbeat.com/24-hours-of-halloween-magic-bullet-7/

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!

Results: Curls Twitter Contest

We announced the winner of the first ever Curls Twitter Contest is @rosscott. When I asked him what type of sketch he'd like he replied:

"@curlsstudio Hey thanks for the Twitter Contest! How about a sketch for a fellow graphic designer? Nerdy as you can!"


Well, I did some thinking about it and decided to do a full-on comic strip instead of a sketch. The nerdiest thing I could think of was having Curls throw a Designer's Halloween Party. As you can see, she is a Photoshop Wizard bossing, oh, I mean "art directing" Pitter Patter the penguin as he adjusts the banner to her liking. Some of the guests came as CMYK and a "bleeding" man. Maybe that's Steve Jobs in the background? Yeah, think it would be pretty dorky to dress up in honor of design for Halloween, but designers are dorky anyway, so it's all good.


@rosscott wins the original inked art (which I photographed for you all above) and a print of the color version of the comic. I hope he enjoys his win! Thanks and congrats!