Join No, Mine! Studios, Konos Creative, and EYSAMAN& Company at our upcoming Carlton Center Tacoma Arts Month Reception! Tickets for are free, and catering is being provided courtesy of Roberson Properties.
Tacoma Arts Month Reception!
Author: Suzanne Skaar
Tacoma based artist and writer. Currently working on as yet untitled video game with support from the City of Tacoma Artist Initiative Program. You can follow progress on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok: @nominestudios. E-mail: nominestudios@gmail.com.
Carlton Center Reception
In honor of Tacoma’s Arts Month, the resident creatives at the Carlton Center: (a.k.a. home to No, Mine! Studios‘ new HQ) are hosting a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, October 17. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided courtesy of Roberson Properties.
Click here for details and to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
We’ll see you there!
[Minors allowed with parental guardians; guests must be 21+ to consume wine and beer. The hosts and property owners reserve the right to refuse entry and ask anyone to leave at any time.]
New Illustration
I thought I’d share a little of what I’ve been working on this week. The finished illustration is 216″ wide, and is being submitted for consideration by Pierce County’s Traffic Box Wrap Program. Wish me luck!
If you have other suggestions for a home for this work, let me know.
I hope you’re doing well!
Cheers!
Suzanne
Summertime Updates
Yeetcosystem at the 12th Street Hill Climb Gallery
If you are in Tacoma, you can find the “Yeetcosystem” video installation at the 12th Street Hill Climb Gallery now until the end of the year. The exhibit will evolve, including the expected addition of a second screen with new animations and some surprises, so stop by and check it out!
Thank you to the amazing crew at Spaceworks for this opportunity!
Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) Showcase and Goodbyes
On this past Sunday, Tacoma Arts Live had its final Showcase at the Tacoma Armory. It was great to see many wonderful performers, artists, entrepreneurs, and vendors from the Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) program gather one last time. I wish nothing but the best for the staff and participants. My door is always open to collaboration, and I will continue to cheer your successes from the stands!
Thank you to friends who showed up in support! It was wonderful to see you again, too!
I can’t explain how cool it was to run (walk at a reasonable and safe pace) through the halls of one of Tacoma’s most historic buildings, and it went by way too quickly.
To the new building tenants, if you are ever in Suite 15 and find a piece of magenta fuzzy fabric: my bad.
[I will not be explaining further.]
Personal News
My family has had a rough month between hospitalizations and the loss of our senior cat, Calvin. He was originally rescued from the roof of Tacoma’s MSM Deli 18 years ago along with his brother Hobbes (who’s 3 years gone this month).
The house has been quieter in so many ways, but Calvin’s nearly 3-year-old mentees, Vector and Pixel, are starting to return to their destructive ways. I’ve found a way to establish studio space for myself again that doesn’t require shielding my Wacom from a 30 lb. tabby (Vector) chasing an 8 lb. tabby (Pixel) across my desk. Not that that kind of shenanigan isn’t inspiring, it’s just a lot more dangerous with a plate in my arm.
My heart goes out to others going through difficult times. Sometimes the only ways we can get through hard times are distraction and humor, so I will do my best to provide that for you on the off chance that you need an unexpected laugh, too.
For more frequent distractions, feel free to follow my personal (@suzanneskaar – very political) and studio (@nominestudios) accounts on BlueSky, or the studio account on Instagram and YouTube.
Take care!
Suzanne
Updates
Due to some exciting new developments behind the scenes, the Yeetcosystem team is currently undergoing major changes. While we are sorting things out, the Team Yeetcosystem page will remain in the “Under Construction” mode. Congratulations to Alexis (audio) and Uthara (tech) on their new opportunities! And a big thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to help with this project, including the studio’s previous Interns.
On a personal note, a series of health crises in my family has taken the majority of my attention within the last several months. So while Yeetcosystem The Game has hit some major delays as a result of waiting for me to get back in the game (literally and figuratively) after my own surgery, it will resume at full speed once my family’s circumstances are more stable. No, Mine! Studios came into being as recognition of what being a mom and an artist means to me, and right now, my Mom-mode (TM pending) is on hyperdrive.
Hug your babies, be they human or furbabies (with consent!).
Those interested in being a part of Yeetcosystem‘s new direction should email nominestudios@gmail.com to discuss next steps, with the understanding that I may be delayed in responding and funding is not yet secured. If you have experience in building games in Unity, in community management for indie games, or in audio/ sound design, you can also send me a LinkedIn request (www.linkedin.com/in/suzanneskaar). Even if this project isn’t the right fit, I love to connect with and support other devs/ creatives however possible.
Thank you again to everyone for your support and kindness!
Suzanne (Mom, Writer, Director, Artist, and Lead Leasing Agent for Yeetcosystem LLC)
Hi! News from No, Mine! Studios
Happy Friday!
I’m still recovering from surgery, but I am anxious to get back to studio fun as soon as possible!
One of the reasons behind this anxiety is Yeetcosystem: The Game! There is a great team of developers working behind the scenes to make this project a reality. More news to come! But if you want to support us in getting the word out, we do have preliminary Yeetcosystem social media profiles up on BlueSky and Instagram, and even a Discord channel! (This was set up by a lovely volunteer who wishes to remain behind the scenes. I am still learning Discord. What is the Discord term for a “noob”? I need to ask my teen.)
Also on the horizon:
I am also pleased to announce that I’ll be heading to GDC this year as part of the 2026 Pixelles Ensemble Cohort! It will be my second time at GDC, and my first time tagging along with the Pixelles: a Montreal-based organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity in the gaming industry. Thank you to these amazing organizations for this opportunity!
Arts community update:
In the fall, I was accepted into Tacoma Arts Live’s (TAL) Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) program. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other artists and creative entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, TAL just announced that they will be selling the Tacoma Armory and sunsetting programs like ACE in June. Many artists and entrepreneurs are losing their home base, and cool programs like the one’s offered by Tacoma’s Dockyard Derby Dames will have to find new homes. I love the people, and I love the (supposedly haunted) space. I’m going to do my best to soak up the creative energy of this space as much as possible before the venue and non-profit close their doors. Please do the same! Follow Tacoma Arts Live for upcoming projects and support local artists!
In slightly more humorous No, Mine! Studios news:
Healing from a procedure that made me contemplate ripping my own arm off did inspire a new probably not kid friendly side project. Axi the Accessibility Axlotl is also on Instagram and BlueSky!
Did you know that axlotls can just regenerate damaged limbs without fighting health insurance first?
They truly have the dream life.
Axi the Accessibility Axlotl is the mascot no one should need, but we still have to work harder to address accessibility issues in public spaces, work places, and school. If you have a topic that you want me to address through this project, reach out via the studio email nominestudios@gmail.com, subject line, “Axlotl.”
If you print out and post any of the images at your work or school (get permission on this, because the axlotl does have an ax, so…), take a picture and tag the studio’s and/or axlotl’s account(s)!
As always, thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.
Cheers,
Suzanne
Taking a Short Break
No, Mine! Studios is going on a short break starting this week and should be back at the end of 2025/ beginning of 2026. Have a safe and happy winter!
Cheers!
Suzanne
Arts at the Armory Wrap-up
A belated thank you to all who stopped by the No, Mine! Studios booth on Saturday and/ or Sunday! And a huge shout out to Tim Kapler for doing all the heavy lifting, and even some last minute button-making/ packaging for the event!
As mentioned at the show, I would love your support in getting the word about “Yeetcosystem: The Game!” This comedic take on the luxury housing industry will be No, Mine! Studios’ first game made in collaboration with a whole team and we’re going to start fundraising in the early part of 2026! (Because paying indie game devs and creatives for their work rocks!)
Like, follow, and subscribe on the Social Media Platform of your choosing — particularly BlueSky, YouTube, and Instagram — and help us reach a wider audience!
Cheers!
Suzanne
Weekend Happenings
It’s that time again: Tacoma area friends, will I see you at the Arts at the Armory?
Stop by the No, Mine! Studios booth to say hi and check out what’s on the docket for 2026, including how you can be a part of the studio’s efforts to launch the demo for the studio’s first team project: Yeetcosystem (the Game).
While I’m still dealing with my wrist injury (surgery is finally scheduled!!!), the dino game (a.k.a., The Suciasaurus Scrolls: A Grit City Adventure) has been on a temporary hiatus. This project started as my baby, and I’m going to resume babying the heck out of it once I’m feeling better. That said, I will have my projector and screen with me for anyone who wants to play through the dino game. If it’s not up on the screen when you stop by, just ask. 🙂
Stay safe, stay warm, and talk soon!
Suzanne
Follow No, Mine! Studios on social media!
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nominestudios.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nominestudios/
Happy October!
Long time no blog!
No, Mine! Studios has been going through some major changes, as have I, as has everyone else. [Skip ahead if you just want happy news. I do not blame you in the slightest.]
WHINY RECAP HERE
For the last two years, I have been dealing with “temporary” mobility restrictions for one hand, thinking that I was going to get surgery any day now. This sad excuse of a Sam Beckett play called “Dealing With LNI” left me worried about starting anything major lest it mess with my treatment or recovery in terms of timing and pain, stressed that insurers would blame me for making the situation worse, and overly anxious to be near other people outside my immediate circle. The most important lesson I learned from this is that LNI doesn’t need an excuse to deny surgeries: that’s what third party reviewers are for. Ba-dum-dum-tsss (insert drum sound effect here). I’m still anxious to be in public, but I’m trying to fix this. If you see me, approach slowly and don’t tap on my [sun]glass[es]. (I mean, that really should go for everyone.)
HAPPY PART HERE
So as I start making my way out of the Shire again, like a disheveled little hobbit, here are some updates:
1: No, Mine! Studios was accepted into Tacoma Arts Live’s Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) program! I have the opportunity to start crafting community events for others interested in animation and game design at the Tacoma Armory. Details coming soon, but if you have special requests or would like to help out, please email nominestudios@gmail.com.
[One of the other unofficial yet amazing benefits of ACE is that a cookie from The Cookie Clubhouse just magically materialized before me while typing this. Go buy some delicious cookies!!! )
To learn more about ACE, click here.
2: Before getting accepted into ACE, No, Mine! Studios was also accepted into the City of Tacoma’s Arts at the Armory festival! More details about all the amazing artists that will be there can be found here.
3: A group of stellar volunteers has formed to help make a prototype of one of my game ideas. From sound design to programming, this team is doing a lot of heavy lifting. In addition to wanting to make the game demo available to the public as soon as possible, I want to make sure everyone who works on this project is equitably paid. Part of that rests on building up a strong social media presence so we can get the Kickstarter funded as soon as it goes live, so, without further ado:
FRIENDLY REQUESTS HERE
Please take a minute to encourage your friends to subscribe to this page. Also, please like, subscribe, and follow @nominestudios on Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram. If you’re interested in being contacted for one of our live game test sessions or helping get the word out about this project, reach out to nominestudios@gmail.com.
GRATITUDE HERE
Thank you for your supporting a woman-owned/Tacoma-based animation and game studio! Comment below if you’re in ACE too, I’ll see you at the Armory this November, you shared and subscribed, or if you just want to say hi. 😊
Suzanne
