On Saturday, April 2, 2022 “Netfins & Chill” (directed by Joe Carabeo) won “Best Local DC Film” during YouFilmFest shown at REACH Kennedy Center. I designed the film titles and am happy to be a part of the project. Excited for the cast and crew to receive recognition and some of them were a part of the audience Q&A after the screening.
I’ll be making my first appearance of the year at Fairfax Comic Con in a bit over a week on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Dulles Expo Center from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (VIP entrance opens at 10 AM).
Guests include: Ian McGinty, Gary Cohn, Jason Keith, Tim Shinn, Thomas Parobek, John Gallagher, Carolyn Belefski, The Mariano Brothers, Jenna Ayoub, Chris Flick
Children ages 10 and younger are free. Tickets are $10 and VIP tickets are $20. More info here: https://www.fairfaxcomiccon.com
Hope to see you there!
We’re taking part in Kickstarter’s Make 100 incentive raising funds to produce 100 limited edition hard enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Mother’s Day design. The pins will be produced at 30mm tall with sleek rose gold plating and purple glitter color to represent the mother. Each pin will be fixed with a clear rubber clutch and come with a backing card.
Hoping that you can pledge $10 plus shipping today to support this project and make it come to life.
Curls Studio calls 2021 a transitional year, as nothing was certain and we went with the flow of change. Last year all the comic conventions were canceled due to the pandemic, but this year we got to exhibit at a few in-person events during the second half of the year (Awesome Con in DC, New York Comic Con, Baltimore Comic-Con, and Southern Maryland Comic Con). I was selected to be a part of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) for the first time, as a virtual appearance. So comic conventions happened thanks to amazing staff and volunteers and we applaud them for making it possible!
Other major occurrences that happened was that I somehow had the energy to run three successful Kickstarter campaigns in one year (Banana Bandana™, Cicada hard enamel pin, and Santa Turtle hard enamel pin). I really enjoyed celebrating the periodical cicadas this year (we won’t see them again until 2048!). I am proud of all the projects we brought to life.
Sporadically throughout the year I continued Carolyn’s Creative Challenge with a few new project prompts.
In July I served as a Rambassador for VCU Alumni Night at a Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game.
I was a guest on the Generation GC podcast and had a great time talking about the band Good Charlotte (and yes, I visited La Plata High School for a second time during my stint in Waldorf for Southern Maryland Comic Con).
Another cool thing that happened this year is a Wall Street Journal reporter reached out to me for an interview about Color of the Year and Pantone — I got quoted in the article for both print and online editions.
Also along the lines of publishing, Black Magic Tales was recently printed in the new Magic Bullet #20 comics newspaper.
Not too sure what 2022 will bring. In many ways 2021 can be viewed at as worse than 2020, but then there is an optimistic side that could be viewed as it can only get better from here. The best thing I can hope for you is that you be safe and happy — take good care of yourself by eating well and exercising. I want us to be around for the next Cicada uprising in 2048 and the years beyond. That’s something to live for!
Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, published our latest “Black Magic Tales” story in issue #20, written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski.
Our story “Optioned” introduces us to two indie filmmakers destined to leave their mark in Hollywood and continues the adventures of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (plus their cat, Black Magic). We made this comic back in 2020, but things were on hold because of the pandemic — I’m glad you’ll be able to read it soon.
Be on the lookout for your free copy in the Washington, DC region! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants. I know for sure Big Planet Comics (U Street, Vienna, and College Park locations), Fantom Comics, and Beyond Comics are stocked.
Did you know? “Black Magic Tales” by Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-20 so far).