Recap: Stone Branch School of Art

Since today is International Women's Day (and to celebrate Women's History Month), Curls Studio was asked by Stone Branch School of Art to present our work and hold a workshop today. It was excellent to be able to showcase the work Joe and I have done to a younger audience and their parents. 

In addition to comics, I also showed and discussed design and freelance illustration projects from my portfolio as well. Then Joe projected his film reel and showed the latest Awesome Con commercial. 

After the talk we drew in the art room and made large buttons with our art on it. I also draw portraits of the children as well as dogs and zombies. I had a fun time drawing and interacting with a new group of folks! Thanks for having us.

Joe says: Had a blast presenting about the importance of art, storytelling and collaboration to the students at Stone Branch School of Art today. Its a great and inspiring art school full of exciting students. Carolyn Belefski and I are super honored and always thankful to be thought of for these speaking opportunities. Now dont waste time, go out there are make something.

Curls Kickstarter Update -- 60% Funded

Hi everyone,

I just got back inside from shoveling snow. Now I'm happy to be by the warmth of this glowing monitor. It means so much to me and I love to make other people happy with art and stories, so I'm thrilled to have people joining me on this Curls Kickstarter adventure.

Today we passed the $3,000 mark and became 60% funded.

There's still a lot to accomplish and we have 19 days to do it.

I'm excited that some of my heroes in the comics industry have tweeted or retweeted news about the Kickstarter (Raina Telgemeier, Brad Guigar, Jimmy Palmiotti, Kenneth Rocafort, Dean Haspiel, and Elizabeth Watasin to name a few). Now if I could only get Michelle Obama to Instagram again! I wish. 

Since this is my first Kickstarter, I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on how I can make the currently running campaign better or if there are backer rewards you'd like me to offer that I have not thought of.

We've recently been covered online by ComicsDC, Comics in Education, and Team Cul de Sac. Are there any media outlets or specific interest niches you think would dig the Curls comic strip? Maybe you yourself have a blog and want to help get the world out? Reach out to me at info@curls-studio.com if you have any ideas.

I did some math and if everyone who has already pledged recruited at least one person each to pledge for the Curls book, we would be 100% funded. Send your friends a direct link -- http://kck.st/1EprkMX -- or use the "Share this project" button under the video to connect with your pals on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Embed Video or Widget on your website or blog. 

Thanks! 

XOXO,

Carolyn

Appearing at Stone Branch School of Art on Sunday, March 8, 2015

Welcome to March! It's officially Women's History Month and because of this Stone Branch School of Art in Rockville, Maryland has asked me to speak at their Comic Book Sundays event this coming Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 2PM to 4PM. I'll also be bringing Joe so he can discuss writing and filmmaking and how this cross-references with comics and storytelling. This is a public event for all-ages and it's free to attend.

Thanks to Edmond for designing this flyer announcement and we hope to see you there.

In other news, Curls: The Ultimate Book Collection is now 46% funded on Kickstarter. I launched it Monday night. It would be so awesome if we get to 50% or more before Monday evening (officially one full week). We are so close. It's the next step goal. Thanks to all who have already pledged -- check out the first update announcement.

Curls Kickstarter is LIVE!

Hi everyone! I just launched the Curls Kickstarter a few minutes ago. You can take a look at the film and rewards and everything else here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/curls-the-ultimate-book-collection

The goal is to print a book of all the Curls comic strip I've ever made, but I also set up some fun reward packages for you. Check this out. 

1. A song by Mr. Bandit inspired by Curls
2. Your name in the book acknowledgements 
3. Computer wallpaper
4. Curls patch
5. Kickstarter exclusive button pack
6. Set of eight postcards featuring Curls inspired imagery created by Steve Conley (Bloop), Joshua Daniel (Dime-Store Noir), S. L. Gallant (G.I Joe), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Lauren Jaslow (snarkystudios.), Teresa Roberts Logan (Laughing Redhead Studios), Arsia Rozegar (The Incredible Hulk), and Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School). 
7. Signed book with sketch
8. Curls Cowgirl Print
9. Kickstarter exclusive backer print
10. Avatar (original line art and color digital copy)
11. Toast doll
12. Pen Pals
13. Dinner with Carolyn and Joe
14. Carolyn and Joe speaking engagement

For the next 30 days, you'll be able to make pledges to help support this project, ranging from $1 to whatever amount you can contribute. You can select from the reward packages—listed on the right side. You can even pledge more than the minimum to get a reward if you want. Your credit card or other account will not be charged at the time you make your pledge. 

If we've reached our goal when the deadline arrives (Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 8:20 PM EST) then everyone gets charged the amount they pledged at once. If we don't meet our goal no fees are applied and everyone keeps their money. If we fail to meet the goal, then no one gets any rewards either—and that would not be a fun day.

Please help spread the word and tell your friends.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Comics for The White House Media Coverage

Thanks to The Washington Post Comic Riffs for reporting about the comics I created with The White House for HealthCare.gov. I'm receiving notes from many people telling me how wonderfully written the article is and I've passed the info on to Michael Cavna.

Thank you so much to The White House again for this opportunity and The Washington Post, as well as other media outlets who have posted about the comics. Below is a listing of all the articles I aware of. I've also been getting a ton of support on my Facebook page. Many people are excited and happy about these comics.

You can read the stories here:

The Washington Post | White House comics? How cartoonist Carolyn Belefski got an unexpected booster shot-in-the-arm from HealthCare.gov

by Michael Cavna

Fusion | Cartooning for the White House: A chat with the artist behind the #GetCovered comics

by Jen Sorensen

CBR | White House uses comic reminders about Obamacare deadline

by Kevin Melrose

The Blaze | These Cartoons are the White House’s Latest Effort to Make Obamacare Seem Cool

by Fred Lucas

The Patriot Post | White House Resorts to Childish Cartoons to Promote O'Care

CBR | Comics A.M. | Creators

by Brigid Alverson

Fusion | Going Viral | Obama hopes a selfie stick will get more young people signed up for healthcare
by Abby Rogers

Curls is Webcomic Alliance Pick of the Month

You can now call Curls Miss February 2015. Thank you to Webcomic Alliance for selecting the Curls comic strip as "Pick of the Month." Dawn Griffin makes for a great Lois Lane. She wrote a wonderful article about Curls that you can read in full here.

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #10

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper has hit the streets. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of two teenagers inspired by world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova to form a band. At the end of the story there is a QR code you can scan using a QR code reader app. By scanning the code, it will lead you to the song the characters in our comic perform at the end of the story. 

If you can't wait to listen to the song, here is Mickie & Mallory performing "I'm Done." I should also mention I designed the Mickie & Mallory logo earlier this year! Mickie & Mallory were formed in late 2014 and have performed around northern Virginia and New York City. I hope you can catch one of their live shows soon!