Published in Uppercase Magazine, Issue 53

How do you cultivate your creativity? My answer to this question is published in UPPERCASE -- a beautiful quarterly print magazine inspired by craft, design, and illustration. Issue 53 focuses on flowers, plants, and gardens that inspire creativity. I'm happy to be a small seed flourishing and always ready for growth. 

My answer focuses on the self-imposed projects and prompts I've done over the years including 24-Hour Comics Day, Make 100 from Kickstarter (Sad Fish, Blue Rose Enamel Pin, Banana Bandana, Thank You Mom Enamel Pin), #CarolynsCreativeChallenge, Inktober (31 Turtles, Dessert Desert Creatures, HijINKs!), Sketch Before Sleep (my 365 project), Hourly Comics Day, ABCs of Country Music (my typography project), and more.

Leave a comment on how you cultivate your creativity!

Album Design for Nicole Belanus

I recently designed an album for musical artist Nicole Belanus called "The Grown Demos."

It was fun to design the sleeve packaging and CD -- plus Nicole is a great client to work with! Check out her tunes here. I like how she has tunes and I have toons. It's a great combo.

I designed album packaging! "The Grown Demos" by Nicole Belanus @beelines77 🌱 I'm a big music fan, so it was exciting to be a part of this project. Watch this space as I post the CD design tomorrow. Check out Nicole's tunes and also my toons (cartoons, that is) at www.CarolynBelefski.com. Thanks to Nicole for the opportunity and creative freedom. #music #design #albumcover #creative

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 17, 2018 at 6:05pm PDT

Let's Work Together
If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please view my portfolio and reach out: http://www.CarolynBelefski.com.

ABCs of Country Music Project

Launching the tail end of March and continuing through the month of April, I embarked on creating custom typography for letters A to Z in the alphabet. I decided to concentrate on representing country music artists visually with the first letter of their name -- from Alan Jackson to Zac Brown Band -- we have several music acts ranging through the generations from Uncle Dave Macon to Johnny Cash to Shania Twain to Kacey Musgraves!

My Instagram account was updated daily with a new letter and the hashtag #abcsofcountrymusic was used to document all the letters. This week I will be posting some of the alphabet sketches for Patreon supporters only, so please pledge to be able to see behind-the-scenes content for this project and other projects I'm working on.

I've even created a pattern for fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap that you can get here.

Work With Me
If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please email Carolyn Belefski at info[at]curls-studio.com. View my portfolio: www.CarolynBelefski.com.

Magic Bullet #6 Thank You Card

Here is the thank you card we organized and mailed to our advertisers and others who helped us print and distribute Magic Bullet #6. I wanted several people to contribute art and come together in an organic way for the card. The process included making small paper strips with the artist names pulled from a hat in order of the characters in the words 'Thank You!' The artists could make their assigned letter in any medium or style in a clever way as long as it is legible.

T - Carolyn Belefski, curls-studio.com
H - Rafer Roberts, plasticfarm.com
A - Matt Dembicki, matt-dembicki.blogspot.com
N - Jacob Warrenfeltz, kinginkcomics.com
K - Steve Loya, steveloya.com
Y - Andrew Cohen, howzitfunnies.blogspot.com
O - Evan Keeling, etkeeling.com
U - Matt Rawson, theglassistudio.com
! - William Brown, wmlbrown.com

The card came out great printed on glossy paper. For the inside, we collected digital signatures and most of the contributors were able to be a part of the project with their John Hancock. This is the first time we've sent out thank you cards. It's a good way to connect with the people and organizations who made our project happen.

We are currently accepting comic submissions and advertisers for Magic Bullet #7. This issue will be Halloween/Spooky/ Fall themed with August 1, 2013 as the deadline. For more information, please visit: http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com

Alphabattle: Number 8

Above is my number 8 entry and you can view all the other submissions here: http://www.lettercult.com/archives/3300#more-3300

I was surprised that a snake was not used in any other submissions because it almost seemed like such an obvious solution to this challenge that I almost did not do it. I do like that my snake reminds me of a bowling pin. I'd like to see a snake swallow a bowling pin one day.

I took part in designing a number one and number two. I had hoped to complete all the numbers, but missed a few weeks due to being busy with other activities. Maybe one day I can catch up on the missed numbers.

Did you enjoy this fun design challenge?

Alphabattle: Number 2

Above is my entry and you can view all the other submissions for number two here: http://www.lettercult.com/archives/3101#more-3101

In addition, I took part in designing a number one the other week: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2011/03/alphabattle-number-1.html

I hope to continue this design exercise and complete all the numbers.

Alphabattle: Number 1

I just found out about LetterCult's Alphabattle the other week and decided to give it a try as a fun typography design exercise. Above is my entry and you can view all the other submissions for number one here: http://www.lettercult.com/archives/2583