My comic strip, Curls, is now being published monthly in a newspaper called “The Funnies” based out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. You can pick up a copy and one of the locations below or if you are interested in a subscription of $18.50 for 12 issues, email me at info[at]curls-studio[dot]com and I will pass on more information on how to order.
On July 11, 2012, I attended the second book signing for Team Cul de Sac at Politics & Prose in Washington, DC (read more about the first signing and launch party here).
If you don’t know about Team Cul de Sac, you can read more about the project in their blog here, but it is a group of cartoonists lead by project organizer, Chris Sparks, who created some cartoons and illustrations to honor Richard Thompson and his comic strip, Cul de Sac. Richard is a great cartoonist… so great even that he won the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year” in 2010! Unfortunately, he has also been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
All of the original art for the Team Cul de Sac book was auctioned off earlier this year thru Heritage Auctions. You can still purchase the lovely Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s book thru Sparking Design or Amazon to help the cause because the team is connected to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and some of the proceeds go toward Parkinson’s research.
The second signing included a presentation by Chris Sparks and speech by Nick Galifianakis. I was happy Richard was also there in attendance. We signed books for almost two hours and really enjoyed meeting everyone who came to support. Thanks to Barbara Sutliff for the photo of the contributors sign and Steve and Kathy Artley for the photo of the team signing books.
If we do any more events, I’ll be sure to let you know about them. For now, enjoy this photo gallery from this event: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151047817727381.451263.50763422380&type=1
Please join me at DC Zinefest this upcoming Saturday, July 28.
The DC Zinefest hopes to create a space for zine makers, writers, and self-published artists to share their work with each other and with the city of Washington, DC. By providing an opportunity to expo, workshop, and interact with zines, we strive to build and support a thriving DIY community.
WHAT: DC Zinefest
WHEN: July 28, 2012 from 11 AM to 5 PM
WHERE: St. Stephen’s Church, located at 1525 Newton Street, NW Washington, DC (near the Columbia Heights Metro station on the green line). Directions can be found here.
FACEBOOK RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/422606351112245/
Hope to see you on Saturday! Bring a friend and say hi!
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.
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