Context for the last post/ sneak peek at some more game art. 🙂
Dinosaur eating a taco (animation)
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.
Tacos!
Lately I’ve been illustrating comfort foods to sneak throughout my game. Here’s an example just in time for Taco Tuesday (and Father’s Day). If you like what you see, this design is available on stickers, shirts, mugs, and more through my Redbubble shop.
Transparent sticker with 2D pixel art design of a taco. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved. 
Socks with 2D pixel art design of a repeating taco pattern. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved. 
Apron with 2D pixel art design of a repeating taco pattern. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved. 
Tote bag with 2D pixel art design of a taco. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved. 
Short sleeved baby onesie with 2D pixel art design of a taco. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved. 
Zipper pouch with 2D pixel art design of a taco. Illustration by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved.
Cheers!
Suzanne
Work in Progress
Fighting the patriarchy, one fedora at a time…
Family Photography
I am happy to report I received my second vaccine dose (Team Moderna!) on Wednesday, and I’m just starting to feel a little more normal. As a result of the co-parent and I being absolute zombies after our shots, kiddo was definitely ready to burn off some energy yesterday. Here are a couple of photos from our outing to Chambers Creek.
Get vaccinated and stay safe!
Work in Progress Wednesday
In addition to adding new details to game scenes this week, I’ve also decided to add products to my shop page on Redbubble. Take a look below for a new in-game video clip, and head over to the shop if you’d like to snag some game art early.
Screenshot Saturday
Good morning! Here’s a look at some of this week’s progress.
Technical Hiccups
I’m still working out the overall music score/ sound design, and will be for some time. My laptop and some of the major DAWs are not on speaking terms at the moment, so much of this week was spent on tech boards looking up what’s going on with my audio drivers and dreading having to go out and purchase an audio interface.
I have also been arguing with the sound settings in Unity about triggering sounds only in proximity to the player, and not from the start of the scene. Imagine, if you will, the simultaneous cry of a million peeping stegos, and you understand why sound is not currently enabled in my game build.
However, I will not let technology win this war. To quote Flaming Lips:
[S]he knows that
It’s demanding
To defeat those evil machines
I know she can beat them
Process, Workarounds and Links
For those who are interested in learning more about my process, I made the music using a combination of two free programs, Beepbox and Audacity. The program I have been using to build the game, Unity, is free for those under a certain income threshold. I then used Adobe Premiere Pro to compile audio I’ve been kicking around for a while now with new in-engine footage from Unity. As I was already subscribed to Adobe Creative Cloud for Photoshop, it makes sense for me to work in this software, but the price can be a barrier for those not fully invested in the field yet. If others have suggestions for free video editing software, please feel free to make suggestions in the comments. I know there are several great options out there.
If you want to see more behind the scenes work or receive updates, please follow this blog. You can also like and follow No, Mine! Studios (nominestudios) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
Thank you for your support!
–Suzanne
Big news!
And now it’s official! I just signed my Tacoma Artist Initiative Program contract. I am grateful to the Tacoma Arts Commission for sponsoring me as I research and develop assets for my video game. I’ll be giving an artist talk later in the year on the technical aspects of this project and what accessibility means in art, community, and our daily lives. I will also be sharing details on how the local community can become part of the game.
Acceptance into this program was the catalyst for another major leap. No Mine Studios LLC (named after a once constant refrain from my daughter when she was younger) is an official business within the State of Washington.
Thank you everyone who has supported me in this endeavor over the years. More updates to come!
Happy World Penguin Day!
I just learned today is World Penguin Day. Here’s an illustration from 2015 to mark the occasion.
Warmup Sketch
Tonight’s illustration in honor of kiddo’s newfound love of geodes.
Springtime
While gathering reference shots in South Tacoma for my game’s environmental design, I caught this little one pulling blossoms off a cherry tree and chucking them at the sidewalk.
No, Mine! Studios 