New Library Card Design for Fairfax County Public Library

Dec18
by on December 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

Fairfax County Public Library is excited to share new library cards with you! Earlier this month I was recognized at the Library Board of Trustees meeting for winning their library card design contest. During the event I got to meet the three other illustrators who will also have their designs on cards. The new library cards will be available to the public for selection in the 23 FCPL branches (over 1.2 million residents served) in mid-January. I look forward to seeing these cards proudly carried by FCPL patrons across Fairfax County! 

I recently started a Substack and one of my first posts describes the process for my “read to the dog” concept to create the card design and includes my original sketch. Please read and subscribe here: https://substack.com/@carolynbelefski

└ Tags: , , , , , ,
Comments Off on New Library Card Design for Fairfax County Public Library

Recap: Cartoonists Draw Blood 2025

Dec03
by on December 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

Thankful for all the cartoonists and blood donors who participated in “Cartoonists Draw Blood” last month at Gainesville United Methodist Church. We even had someone drive in from Virginia Beach! 

National Cartoonists Society — Washington, DC chapter is represented by Colleen Doran, John Gallagher, Steve Artley, Joe Sutliff, Ruthi Postow, and Carolyn Belefski.

Hopefully we will do another blood drive next year as tradition allows (we have been doing it since 2013). 

If you are in the Washington, DC area and want to host us at your blood drive, reach out to American Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region.

└ Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Recap: Cartoonists Draw Blood 2025

Cartoonists Draw Blood 2025

Nov19
by on November 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

Cartoonists Draw Blood — blood drive with the American Red Cross is taking place on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 8AM-1:30PM at Gainesville United Methodist Church 13710 Milestone Court, Gainesville, VA 20155.

Blood donors meet local cartoonists and take home a complementary sketch after their appointment. As an added incentive, I believe the American Red Cross may be providing a limited edition pair of socks featuring PAC-MAN to blood donors.

Link to schedule appointments to donate blood: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?zipSponsor=20155&driveType=all

Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/827009063524109

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRNspZ0jVeu

Please consider sharing this event notice on the socials — it’s a great way to be thankful and give back this season even if you can’t give blood at this time.

Artists scheduled to appear: Colleen Doran, John Gallagher, Steve Artley, Joe Sutliff, Ruthi Postow, Carolyn Belefski

└ Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Cartoonists Draw Blood 2025

Local Author Book Festival this Saturday

Nov12
by on November 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Posted In: Uncategorized

You are invited to the Local Author Book Festival at the City of Fairfax Regional Library, located at 10360 North Street, Fairfax, VA 22030, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. 

Come and be a part of a wonderful celebration showcasing local talent! Prepare for a day brimming with stories, creativity, and community at the library. Connect with local authors and delve into discussions about their works. Browse a variety of their books available for purchase. Delight in family-friendly activities, including balloon twisting and face painting. Don’t forget to stop by the library table for a chance to win one of two $50 Visa gift cards.

Cosponsored by the Fairfax Library Foundation. No Registration required. 

For more information and to see a list of appearing authors: https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/15078687

└ Tags: , , ,
Comments Off on Local Author Book Festival this Saturday

Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2025

Nov11
by on November 11, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

After completing New York Comic-Con the weekend before, Curls Studio went on to Baltimore Comic-Con four days later. The main highlight of the show was the yearbook theme of Bone by Jeff Smith.

On Saturday evening, I visited three friends I haven’t seen in awhile and we had pizza. One of them lives several hours away I had only seen once since high school, so it was good to catch up and be united again! During that time Joe Carabeo was directing the Ringo Awards Ceremony and working on the livestream online. You can watch the video replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTS-dbRrWR0

On Sunday I got to see Jeff Smith visit the table of a young artist, Sam “Kidlet” Deans, who took a photo with him to recreate a photo she took with him 13 years earlier. Her table was directly across from me, so it was an awesome moment to witness her holding her yearbook page and pose with a legendary cartoonist.

I went to the Charles Vess booth on Sunday and enjoyed seeing his work in-person. I also learned that the Baltimore Convention Center houses 70,000 bees in two beehives on the roof. We had a fun time in Baltimore and I am excited to see what 2026 will bring.

└ Tags: , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Recap: Baltimore Comic-Con 2025