Fairfax Comic Con is August 27, 2022

I'll be a special guest at the second Fairfax Comic Con of 2022 in a bit over a week on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Dulles Expo Center from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (VIP entrance opens at 10 AM). The show organizers decided to have the shows this year be one day only on two different Saturdays in 2022. The first was on March 5.

Children ages 10 and younger are free. Tickets are $12 and VIP tickets are $20. More info here: https://www.fairfaxcomiccon.com

Hope to see you there!

Awesome Con is June 3-5, 2022

We hope you can join us on June 3-5, 2022 for the ninth edition of Awesome Con at the DC Convention Center. Curls Studio will be located at table A11 in Artist Alley all three days. View the map above where the purple pulse signal circles are so you'll know where to find us.

Curls Studio has exhibited at every Awesome Con and this year will be the first time we will be taking part in Pin Bazaar (Collectible Enamel Pins) with my "Umbrella Watermelon" design, which will be available at table A11.

Kickoff the event on Friday, June 3 from 1:30pm to 2:15pm for The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators in Room 209 featuring John Gallagher, Kami Gracia, Sweeney Boo, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Carolyn Belefski.

You have an idea. You write, draw, and concept that idea into a comic book. But the work doesn't end there. You have to either find a publisher or self-publish your work. We will focus on starting out in the comics industry as a small press writer and/or artist. Once you have your first few books created and completed it is a good idea to get out and meet people and exhibiting is a great way to push yourself forward because creating your comic is only the first step. Are you a creator considering exhibiting at Artist Alley or Small Press comic conventions? This panel will give you tips and suggestions on how to create your professional appearances from the POV of being behind the table. We will discuss the metamorphosis from attendee to exhibitor, effective table display design, how to talk and interact with people at your table and how to generate sales with your table pitch.

After the panel join me Friday, June 3 from 3:00pm to 3:30pm for Emoji Comics with Carolyn Belefski at the Awesome Con Jr. Workshops area.

Joe Carabeo will be presenting the Awesome Con Short Film Fest. Each year fans gather to watch specially selected short films in the categories of comedy, drama, horror, action, science fiction, documentaries, and more.

Exhibit Hall Hours

Friday, June 3 | 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 4 | 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, June 5 | 10:00am - 5:00pm

Short Film Fest Hours

Friday, June 3 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Room 204
Horror, Sci Fi, Action

Saturday, June 4 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Room 204
Comedy and Drama

Sunday, June 5 | 3:00 pm - 5:00pm | Room 204
Animation, Docs and More Awesome Films

Tidewater Comicon is May 14-15, 2022

Curls Studio will be at Tidewater Comicon on May 14-15, 2022 (Artist Alley Booth C9) at the Virginia Beach Convention Center with celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, and much more. Children 10 and under get in free with the purchase of a regular adult pass.

Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

SHOW HOURS
Saturday: 10:30am-6pm (VIP entry 10am) Sunday: 11:30am-4pm (VIP entry 11am)

KIDS LOVE COMICS PANELS

Saturday, May 14, 2022 • Noon
Draw A Little Dream with Chris Mariano and Carolyn Belefski
Chris Mariano interviews kids and parents about their strangest dreams. Professional artists bring their dreams to life on the drawing board.

Sunday, May 15, 2022 • 1pm
Emoji Comics with Carolyn Belefski
We’ve used them in texts and social media, now cartoonist Carolyn Belefski shows you how to use emojis in comics. From designing these easy-to-draw icons to using them to tell a story, this workshop will surely play with your emotions.

This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day

Saturday, May 7, 2022 is free Comic Book Day! Curls Studio will be appearing at The Amazing Comic Shop in Fairfax, VA (near George Mason University). As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops give away selected comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May each year. We will be appearing at FCBD from 10:30AM to 1:00PM. Hope to see you there.

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!

Ranger Rick, April 2022

Look for the April 2022 issue of Ranger Rick to see my illustrations printed in this children's nature magazine that is published by the United States National Wildlife Federation.

I did art for an article about the discovery of giant penguin fossil in New Zealand by children who spotted what they thought was a rusty propeller. The two smaller penguins looking up at the big penguin are also from New Zealand (yellow-eyed penguin and little penguin). I figured to put them since they are from the same location and make them specific types to show the scale of the giant penguin. 

The other illustration I did showcases how worms don't have ears, but can hear through their skin! I had a lot of fun with that by making the worm groovy as a gummy while wearing three headphones and jamming to music.

Netfins & Chill wins Best DC Film at YouFilmFest

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 "Netfins & Chill" (directed by Joe Carabeo) won "Best Local DC Film" during YouFilmFest shown at REACH Kennedy Center. I contributed to the film by designing the film titles. Congrats to the hard work of the cast and crew.