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

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 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.

Small Press Expo is September 17-18, 2022

Join Curls Studio this weekend at Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland. We'll be at Table K11. The Small Press Expo is North America’s premiere independent cartooning and comic arts festival. SPX brings together more than 4,000 cartoonists and comic arts enthusiasts every fall.

Small Press Expo
Visit Curls Studio at Table K11
Saturday, September 17 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 18 -- Noon - 6:00 PM
Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest Kick-Off Event

Come to the Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest Kick-Off Event at Howard Community College this Saturday, September 10 from 9AM to Noon in the Science, Engineering, and Technology Building (SET). A free, fun family event for all! I was invited to speak about art and encourage young students in grades K-12 to enter in the Art Contest (this year's theme is Cybersecurity and Information Technology). Winning entries will be announced in a live event at the National Cryptologic Museum.

I will have Curls Studio comics, books, pins, stickers, and other merchandise available for purchase.

For guidelines about the art contest and more information about the event click on the link: https://marylandstemfestival.org

Southern Maryland Comic-Con 2021 is this Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 13, 2021 I'll be a guest at Southern Maryland Comic-Con from 10 AM to 4PM. The last time I exhibited at this show was in 2019 (our last show before the pandemic shut down). I'll be happy to be back in Waldorf Worldwide at Capital Clubhouse 3033 Waldorf Market Place Waldorf, MD 20603.

There will be a costume cosplay contest at 2PM. This is a great opportunity to meet local artists and purchase unique items for your holiday shopping list.

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!

Recap: Southern Maryland Comic-Con 2019

This past Saturday, November 9, 2019 Curls Studio exhibited at Southern Maryland Comic-Con in Waldorf, MD. We had a fine time meeting everyone and talking about our comics.

View this post on Instagram

Only 31 books will be made and they are now available in the online store! 2.75" x 4.25" mini book showcases all the “HijINKs!” I created during Inktober 2019. Each book has a one-of-a-kind HijINK! on the front cover the and is signed and numbered. The book premiered last Saturday at Southern Maryland Comic-Con and is now available for purchase at www.CarolynBelefski.com/store. #inktober #inkmaster #inktober2019 #hijinks #ink #southernmarylandcomiccon #somdcc #experimental #book #art

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Nov 11, 2019 at 12:17pm PST

I debuted the Inktober 2019 HijINKs! book that features all 31 experimental ink creations I made from ink, water, a straw, and white gel pen. Each book has a one-of-a-kind HijINK! on the front and is signed and numbered -- only 31 books will be made. The books are now available for purchase at www.carolynbelefski.com/store.

Since we were minutes away from La Plata High School, I took a trip and used the opportunity to visit the school where many of the members of Good Charlotte attended. Back at the convention, I enjoyed viewing the cosplay costume contest and we had a fun time. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

Southern Maryland Comic-Con is this Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 9, 2019 is Southern Maryland Comic-Con. Curls Studio will be there and we hope you can join us from 10 AM to 5 PM. 

The last time we exhibited at this show was Saturday, November 9, 2013, so we are happy to be back in Waldorf Worldwide after six years on the dot!

We will also have some of the latest copies of Magic Bullet #19 available for free. 

Admission is $12 presale on the website and children ages 10 and under get in free!

Capital Clubhouse

3033 Waldorf Market Place

Waldorf, MD 20603

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2019

Add another Baltimore Comic-Con to the books (and hopefully another curly W in the books tonight in game one of the Word Series)! Not just any Baltimore Comic-Con -- we celebrated the 20th birthday of this wonderful show that Curls Studio has been exhibiting at since 2007! It does truly get better each and every year.

I got to participate in the Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook, celebrating creators appearing at this year’s show. This year’s book of art featured interpretations of characters from Blacksad, one of my all-time favorite comics about a black cat private eye. This is BCC Yearbook number eight (my third -- I got to contribute to the Archie Yearbook in 2016 and Strangers In Paradise in 2018).

The highlight of the show for me was meeting Blacksad artist Juanjo Guarnido and having him sign my Blacksad books (I have them all in English). I had met him once before years ago at NYCC, but I didn't know he was going to be there and didn't have my books for him to sign, so I was prepared to meet him again more formally this past weekend.

Thanks to the Kids Love Comics section, Baltimore Comic-Con staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees for making this event so memorable. We hope to be back next year with new comics!

Baltimore Comic-Con is October 18-20, 2019

Baltimore Comic-Con 2019
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3021 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, October 18 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 19 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 20 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 3021. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us.

I'll be signing Blacksad yearbooks and you can bid on the original art this Saturday at 5:00 PM.

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!

Small Press Expo is September 14-15, 2019

Join Curls Studio this weekend at Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland. We'll be at Table B11 with the "convention exclusive" Curls book -- you can only purchase this in-person at shows. We'll also be running deals on prints and our "Mystery Fun Pack" if you like surprises. The Small Press Expo is North America’s premiere independent cartooning and comic arts festival. SPX brings together more than 4,000 cartoonists and comic arts enthusiasts every fall.

Small Press Expo
Visit Curls Studio at Table B11
Saturday, September 14 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 15 -- Noon - 6:00 PM
Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Admission: Saturday $15, Sunday $10, or $20 for both days

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2018

Curls Studio continued to make memories at Baltimore Comic-Con 2018 this past weekend. I got to participate in the Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook, celebrating creators appearing at this year’s show. This year’s book of art featured interpretations of characters from Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise, as well as his other creations, sometimes in conjunction with the contributing guest’s own creations, and celebrating creator-owned properties. This is the seventh BCC Yearbook (my second -- I got to contribute to the Archie Yearbook in 2016).

Saturday was Zachary Levi's birthday. He was one of the media guests at the show and we got the opportunity to sing "Happy Birthday" to him and Katrina Law (her birthday was on Sunday). The show had cakes for both of them and Zachary Levi's cake was inspired by his character in Tangled. The cake was delicious!

During the show I got to meet many cool fans, including a former burlesque dancer who purchased her first comic, our book The Legettes. I also got to draw some commissions and sell original art from my Sad Fish project.

Another cool thing that happened Saturday evening was that the Mine! Anthology I was a part of with ComicMix won for Best Anthology at the Ringo Awards.

On Sunday we had a panel discussion about Cartoonists Draw Blood: the history of the event, our anthologies, and upcoming blood drive. We even had a Red Cross representative at the show! I hope to have the audio available soon to release online.

We got to connect with and meet new creators in the Kids Love Comics section. Great vibes and love of creating at Baltimore Comic-Con this year. We hope to be back in the future -- next year the show is moving into October -- it will certainly be a busy month.

Thanks to the Baltimore Comic-Con staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees for making this event so enjoyable. Our next tour date is this coming Thursday-Sunday for the big one: New York Comic Con! Join us at Booth 1162 in Small Press. I'll be posting a map and more details soon. Very little recovery time this time of year -- there's a convention almost every weekend if you could do it all!

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 28-30, 2018

Baltimore Comic-Con 2018
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3014 in Kids Love Comics 

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

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

Visit Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 3014. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We will have the Curls book collection available, the "Toast of the Town" hard enamel pin, and the new "Cartoonists Draw Blood: Monsters" anthology available for purchase. We'll also have a panel about Cartoonists Draw Blood on Sunday.

Sunday, September 30 -- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 347-348 – CARTOONISTS DRAW BLOOD
Join artists from “Cartoonists Draw Blood” and National Cartoonists Society as they discuss our partnership with the American Red Cross. Since 2013, Carolyn Belefski has organized several of the finest cartoonists in the Washington, DC area to devote their time and talents to sketch for blood donors annually. The reason is simple: it’s a great opportunity for cartoonists to serve their community while showcasing their art skills and encouraging blood donation – a single donation has the potential to save as many as three lives! The “Cartoonists Draw Blood” crew has expanded their activities beyond the drive by exhibiting work in gallery shows and producing anthology books. Learn about how they create their projects and how you have the potential to create comics for good.

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!

Small Press Expo is September 15-16, 2018

Small Press Expo

Visit Curls Studio at Table E4

Saturday, September 15 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday, September 16 -- Noon - 6:00 PM

Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Road

North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Admission: Saturday $15, Sunday $10, or $20 for both days

I hope to see you as we celebrate the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent at SPX. Please click the map above to locate Curls Studio sharing Table E4. 

See you soon at SPX!

Baltimore Comic-Con is September 22-24, 2017

Baltimore Comic-Con 2017
Visit Curls Studio at Table 3028 in Kids Love Comics 

Friday, September 22 -- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 23 -- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 24 -- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Stop by to see Curls Studio at Baltimore Comic-Con. We will be located in the Kids Love Comics pavilion at Table 3028. Click on the map image above to see a large map of where to find us. We will have the Curls book collection available for purchase and we will premiere the "Toast of the Town" hard enamel pin. I will be doing sketch commissions and we'll have some other surprises up our sleeves!

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!

Small Press Expo is September 16-17, 2017

Small Press Expo

Visit Curls Studio at Table E4

Saturday, September 16 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday, September 17 -- Noon - 6:00 PM

Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Road

North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Admission (collected at the door the day of the show):

Saturday $15, Sunday $10, or $20 for both days

I hope to see you as we celebrate the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent at SPX. Please click the map above to locate Curls Studio sharing Table E4. 

See you soon at SPX!