Art Deco Society of Virginia - Logo Concept

Here is my submission to the Art Deco Society of Virginia's logo contest. It was not selected, but I wanted to share it to showcase my design skills. I really like the color palette and the "V" decorative element of that time period.

To see more of my design work, view my portfolio here: http://www.behance.net/CarolynBelefski

If you are are creative director, art director, or designer interested in my illustration and/or design abilities, please email me at info@curls-studio.com.

Recap: Southern Maryland Comic Con 2012

On Saturday, July 7th, 2012 I attended my first Southern Maryland Comic Con run by Awesome Conventions. The venue was the roller skating rink at Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Maryland. It is always interesting to see where comic shows are held. I have exhibited in a bowling alley, a fire station, dirty bars, a church, a gay community center, and now... a roller skating rink! It was rad. The temperatures got to be a little high (around 100 degrees) but with the ice skating rink next door, you could walk by and catch a blast of cool.


It was my first show where I had to commute, set-up, table, and more on my own since Joe is on tour with The Beach Boys to document their 50 year anniversary. Joe wished he could be there for Curls Studio, but I told him to take the opportunity as it is once-in-a-lifetime and a chance he has earned by working many years to gain recognition in the industry.


I was a panelist on "Webcomics Discussion" supporting my comic strip, Curls. The other panelists were Steve Conley (Bloop) and Chris Flick (Capes-n-Babes). The panel was moderated by Fantastic Forum's Ulysses Campbell. Audio was recorded and you can listen to the full panel here as it is also this week's "Carolyn and Joe Show" podcast: http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/webcomics-now/

I also got to judge the "Art Challenge" with Laura Inglis and Matt Slay. There were two categories: one for the younger kids with coloring book pages, the other with plan white paper where older kids could create their own vision. It was a little heard to watch some of the kids who didn't win at the end, but hopefully they will continue to create art. It reminded me of applying to the VCU Design Department at the end of Art Foundation and seeing some of the applicants who didn't get into the program. You can read about my experience that year in this comic: http://curls-studio.blogspot.com/2008/07/foundation-year.html

Southern Maryland Comic Con was an enjoyable show with many great artists to meet and activities to do. A lot of people dressed up for the costume contest and you could tell everyone was having a fun time. I am excited I got to meet a whole bunch of new people and hope to be back again in the future.

More event photos can be scene on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151016658442381.447678.50763422380&type=3

Thanks to Fantastic Forum for the photo of the "Webcomics Discussion" panel.

Team Cul de Sac - Book Signing on July 11

I will be at Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW in Washington, DC) this Wednesday, July 11 at 7PM for the Team Cul de Sac book signing and presentation by editor Chris Sparks. There will be many other local creators and contributors to the book in attendance.

Richard Thompson, the Cul de Sac cartoonist, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2009 and began working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise awareness of this illness. Chris Sparks organized Team Cul de Sac, which has solicited work from various graphic artists including Bill Watterson and Gary Trudeau, the proceeds of which have benefitted Team Fox, the Foundation’s fundraising arm.

Last month was the book launch and all the books sold out within the first hour of signing. You can read my recap and view photos of that event here. Be sure to get there early to purchase your book and have it signed.

RSVP to the event and share with your friends on Facebook here.

For more information about the Team Cul de Sac project, visit their website: http://teamculdesac.blogspot.com

See you this Wednesday,
Carolyn

Comics in the District: A Discussion with Local Creators - This Sunday

On Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 5:15PM I will be a panelist for "Comics in the District: A Discussion with Local Creators" at the DC Jewish Community Center (1529 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20036). The discussion is free to attend and will be moderated by Mike Rhode of ComicsDC blog fame.

Panelists:
• Carolyn Belefski (Founder of Curls Studio which creates and self-publishes original comics, designs and illustrations; including the comic strip Curls)
• Steve Conley (Award-winning designer, illustrator and cartoonist; writer and artist of Bloop Comic)
• Evan Keeling (Illustrator, Designer & Comic Book Artist, co-founder of the DC Conspiracy)
• Andrew Cohen (a small-press comic-book creator; www.howzitfunnies.blogspot.com)
• Matt Dembicki (editor and contributing writer/artist to DC Comics; co-founder of the D.C. Conspiracy, a comics creators collective)

This event coincides with "The History of Invulnerability" play going on at Theater J right now. Here is by 5x5 response comic I created after seeing the performance last month: http://www.curls-studio.com/curls/?p=1663

More information can be found here.

Southern Maryland Comic Con on July 7, 2012

Curls Studio will be at Southern Maryland Comic Con on Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 10AM to 5PM at Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Maryland. Admission is $10 and children age 10 and under get in free. Drawings will be held every hour for free stuff and Convention Cash. Hold on to your tickets!


Visit Curls Studio at table A3 and check out all the goodness in the event schedule here.

I was asked to take part in a panel at noon called "Webcomic Discussion" - on the stage on the left side of the room. The creators of Bloop, Curls, and Capes n Babes – Steve Conley, Carolyn Belefski, and Chris Flick, respectively – will discuss their methods and experiences creating some of today’s top webcomics.

Visit the Curls Studio Facebook page to snag a $2 off coupon in the "Photos" secton.

RSVP on Facebook here.

Hope to see you there! Waldorf Worldwide, y'all.



XOXO,
Carolyn

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

Recap: Team Cul de Sac Book Signing and Release Party

On Sunday, June 10, 2012 a few dozen cartoonists attended a book signing at One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia to celebrate the release of Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s. The book contains original artwork from cartoonists and illustrators inspired by Richard Thompson’s comic strip Cul de Sac, including Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) and Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury). The originals were recently sold at an online auction, which raised $47,000, for Team Cul de Sac, which is part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation.


The place was packed and I heard from an online post by Michael Rhode that the 75 books the store had ordered for the signing sold out! Usually at conventions, perhaps being that they are six hours per day and can last a full weekend or more, I have some lag time in between fans and customers at the table. There might be a ten minute gap before another person swings by. At this two hour book signing, I can say it's the most consistent crowd flow of signing book, after book, after book. We all must have signed around 100 or more books each!


This event was so fun! The man himself, Richard Thompson, creator of Cul de Sac (and 2011 'Cartoonist of the Year' Reuben award winner) was there along with the book's editor, Chris Sparks. Many local creators and comic supporters came out in droves to attend the signing. It was a large gathering of talent with combined forces ready to battle Parkinson's disease and come together to honor Richard Thompson. It was a delight to see this level of commitment and respect for Richard. Straddling a career field myself in the design and advertising industries, I can say most cartoonists are friendly people who really come together for a cause. It's hard to imagine another group of people making such an effort to raise money in a selfless way. It genuinely felt like everyone who came to the event was there for Richard, and that's the memory I will take with me for the rest of my life. It is an honor to be a part of this project.


The book is really beautiful and I urge you to purchase it and see all the art for yourself. It is currently $16.73 (list price $29.99) on Amazon.


If you missed this signing, there will be another one on July 11, 2012 at 7PM which will include a presentation with Chris Sparks at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC. Please RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends!

More event photos can be scene on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150940960942381.439013.50763422380&type=3

Thanks to Bruce Guthrie for taking the group photo. All other photos were taken by Joe Carabeo.

To learn more about Team Cul de Sac, visit: http://teamculdesac.blogspot.com

I hope to see you on July 11!