Do you think the news of Kanye West’s new minicities called “Yecosystems” will have a negative impact on my new business venture, The “Yeetcosystem?”
I guess now is as good a time as any to debut the concept:
Concept art for Yeetcosystem. Suzanne Skaar, 10/25/2022. All rights reserved. Visit yeetcosystem.com for more information..
Text in image:
“Yeetcosystem
How it works
Luxury condos are constructed on working catapults.
When climate change threatens the safety of the building, whether due to intensity of storms, flooding, or riots, the catapult is released, ‘yeeting’ the inhabitants to safety.
Concept art by Suzanne Skaar, 2022. Nominestudios.com.”
While I’m waiting for this new enterprise to take off, if you haven’t yet done so, please like, follow, and share No, Mine! Studios (@nominestudios) on the following social media platforms:
A huge thank you to everyone who came by to show their support at Grit City Comic Show! And thank you for your patience regarding our technical difficulties. Who knew affordable access to electricity for vendors would be so vital to a game demo at a convention?
This is a few days later than I had hoped, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended the Tacoma Arts Month Kaleidoscope Kickoff Party at the STAR Center. Thank you to the City of Tacoma and Metro Parks staff and the Tacoma Arts Commission for this great opportunity! And a special thanks to the Arts Commission for accepting my game into the 2021-2022 Tacoma Artist Initiative Program. The game demo went well, and I can’t express how much I appreciate the support!
It was great to see 2021-2022 Tacoma Artist Initiative Program recipients Curtis Ashby and Tamiko Nimura! [Tamiko is a 2022 AMOCAT Award Winner! ] Thank you to the Tacoma Arts Commissioners, artists, and staff who popped in to say hi and check out the game in between taking care of other duties for the party. And I loved seeing how far indie game devs will go to support each other, like Natasha who came all the way from Seattle! (Check out her work!) It was absolutely a packed house at times, so I didn’t get a chance to thank everyone personally.
I am especially grateful for my co-parent Tim Kapler and Izzy’s hard work. In addition to helping with the setup and tear down processes, I was informed by several attendees that Izzy did a great job directing people to the game demo, as well as pitching the game itself. Despite being encouraged by both parents to focus on enjoying the party, multiple trips to the pancake station and the Grand Cinema’s table for popcorn only strengthened the Junior Tester’s resolve to make sure everybody in the building had a studio business card and tried the game for themselves.
I ran out of stickers and buttons at the event, but more will be available for sale at the Grit City Comic Show on October 22 at the Tacoma Convention Center. Please let me know via email (nominestudios@gmail.com) if there is a specific item you are looking for, and I’ll do my best to have it on hand (within reason). I also have a smaller set up for those who haven’t gotten a chance to check out the game progress yet.
Because a few individuals asked, I am available to speak to local classes and am open to teaching beginning animation and digital art classes. Please email nominestudios@gmail.com.
For those who asked about the tools I am using to make my game, I’ll share a more in-depth blog post later this link, along with links to tutorials that I have found helpful.
A common theme of the night was talking to people who had either made an indie game and not released it, or wanted to make an indie game but didn’t know where to start. If you are interested in seeing more indie games flourish in Tacoma, let’s connect! There are so many talented creators here in the 253! I want to see the local dev’s game about revolution in my Steam account!!! (I didn’t grab your contact info, so please contact me if you see this!)
There are many ways to help support No, Mine! Studios. If you haven’t yet done so, you can like and follow No, Mine! Studios for more frequent updates on the following social media platforms:
Financial contributions are appreciated. I am considering options such as crowdfunding to hire a local programmer to help get the game ready for publication. Until that campaign kicks off, you can buy a dino a coffee here. And you can buy some of my art onlinehere.
Thank you again for your support, Tacoma and beyond!
Suzanne
Pixel Art Minizines by Suzanne Skaar. Layout of zines on table by Izzy. Photo by Suzanne Skaar. 2022. All rights reserved.Photo by Tim Kapler. City of Tacoma Arts Month Kaleidoscope Kickoff Party. No, Mine Studios Game Demo. Artwork by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.Photo by Tim Kapler. City of Tacoma Arts Month Kaleidoscope Kickoff Party. No, Mine Studios Game Demo. Artwork by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.Photo by Tim Kapler. City of Tacoma Arts Month Kaleidoscope Kickoff Party. No, Mine Studios Game Demo. Artwork by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
In this picture: Text: “As Yet Untitled Dino Game; 2021-2022 TAIP Funded Project; Suzanne Skaar.” Background art: screen capture of black and white pixel art dinosaur peering over green brick wall in underground environment. Different colored pipes form networks throughout the foreground and background of the picture. Pink No, Mine! Studios logo is in the bottom right corner.
I’ll be presenting at the next Tacoma Arts Commission meeting!
Join us online on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 5 p.m. I’ll be talking about my experience as part of the 2021-2022 Tacoma Arts Initiative Program Funded Cohort and progress on my first game. Information is available on the City of Tacoma’s website.
No, Mine! Studios will be at the official kick-off party for Tacoma Arts Month! The Kaleidoscope Opening Party is free and will be hosted at Tacoma’s STAR Center on October 5 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Stop by and test the latest progress on the as-yet-untitled dino game.The last public demo was at the October 2021 Arts at the Armory event. There’s still so much to do, but I am excited to share the progress made since then!
In game progress. Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
For those interested in being included in the game as an NPC, I’ll have audio recording equipment and permission forms on hand as well. 🙂
I received support for the research and development of game background art from the Tacoma Arts Commission through the 2021-2022 Tacoma Artist Initiative Program. (While the Kickoff Party will mark the completion of my participation in the program, I’ll definitely be working on the game for the foreseeable future.) For those who would like to learn more about this program, I’ll be talking about my TAIP experience at the September 12 Commission meeting.
You can help support this small, Tacoma-based business by liking, following, and sharing @nominestudios on the following platforms:
I’ve been updating my Redbubble shop (@nominestudios). New and old work are available on a variety of products. Check it out, and if there’s a design you’d like to see on the shop, let me know!
“Hobbes” by Suzanne Skaar, 2022, all rights reserved. Art available on multiple products at Redbubble shop (@nominestudios).
“Swallow” by Suzanne Skaar, 2014, all rights reserved. Art available on multiple products at Redbubble shop (@nominestudios).
“Nerd Badge” by Suzanne Skaar, 2020, all rights reserved. Art available on multiple products at Redbubble shop (@nominestudios).
As always, thank you for your support! If you like what you see, please share No, Mine! Studios with a friend!
You can help support this small, Tacoma-based business by liking and following @nominestudios on the following platforms:
My next live demo is at Grit City Comic Show’s Artist Alley in October, & I’ll be announcing my TAIP artist talk soon, so I’ve been hard at work on background art, secondary character design, & animations.
In game screenshot of as yet untitled pixel art dinosaur game. Small black and ivory T-rex sitting in between two buildings looking up at a green brontosaurus peering from behind building. On top of the building to the right is a sign which reads “The Very Diverse Society for Old Dude Bros.” Pink “No, Mine! Studios” logo in bottom righthand corner. Art by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
In game screenshot of as yet untitled pixel art dinosaur game. Small black and ivory T-rex sitting in bush in front of brick building loosely based on Tacoma’s Armory (“The Rawrmory”). Cannon on top of roof to the right. Small triceratops sits atop a tower to the left. White “No, Mine! Studios” logo in bottom righthand corner. Art by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
I’ve been looking up the history of cool Tacoma buildings I want to reference in my game and did some digging into what used to be an old theater in the Lincoln District.
When it was first built, the owner made it so that women (not men, mind you) could have a separate nursery area for caring for their kids and still see the screen. It closed in 1958, became a theater not at all appropriate for kids, then a church. It’s been boarded up for a while, now.
While I usually change the names of buildings/ businesses to dinosaur/prehistoric puns, I think I’ll keep the original name in this instance.
Pixel art illustration of Rex Theatre: loosely based on actual theater of same name in Tacoma, WA. Suzanne Skaar, 2022. All rights reserved.Screenshot of Cinema Treasures website (source for reference photos of/ details about Rex Theatre): http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9489/photos/143052
A challenge with drawing from historical references for this game has been to not be too literal in the design process. I’ve taken some liberties with background art design for the purpose of keeping with the game’s overall style. For example, looking at my illustration and the historical photo of Rex Theatre side by side, it’s easy to see that my version is a little taller and less rounded on the top than the original. Another difference is that while the original theater had 650 seats, I don’t think 650 dinosaurs could fit into the original theater.
At least not 650 adult T-Rexes. The building itself is only 6,000 square feet, and T-rexes could grow up to 40 feet long and 12 feet high, and that’s not accounting for width…
So rest assured, my overthinking friends who also get caught up in historical details, I am overthinking this, too, and we’re just going to let some things slide. And the other details I can’t let slide will be dealt with in the game as awkwardly as possible. Like what happens when you try to jam as many dinosaurs as you can into a theater.
I’m grateful to the Tacoma Arts Commission for supporting this part of the game research process through the Tacoma Artist Initiative Program (TAIP). You can learn about other TAIP projects by clicking here.
Social media reminded me that 11 years ago today, I made the announcement that I was expecting my Junior Tester, a.k.a. “Kiddo,” and 9 years ago today, I started this website, nominestudios.com, borrowing the then 1.5-year-old’s favorite phrase.
Inspiration. 2013. Photo by Suzanne Skaar.
The development of this website inspired me in many ways to make the switch from painting to digital art. The need to keep two cats and a toddler out of my ink and paper supply also provided a lot of motivation to this end. I started off doing animations using a mouse and an old MacBook that kept dying. I was finally able to update my equipment two years ago to a computer capable of running current forms of Windows and a Wacom tablet after the pandemic once again necessitated a shift in work styles.
And now, I’m fortunate enough to be developing a game, experimenting with music and sound effects, and doing research/ background art with support of the Tacoma Arts Commission Artist Initiative Program.
Here’s a look back on some of my work through the years. Apparently WordPress is still glitching on mobile apps with some of the animations :(, so if you can view this on desktop, it will hopefully work better.
Thank you all for your support!
Suzanne
Click on any photo below to expand to slide show view.
Suzanne Skaar, Second Thoughts in a Tattoo ShopSuzanne Skaar, Hi. Sticker. 2007.Suzanne Skaar, 2006.Suzanne Skaar, River. Acrylic, canvas. 2000.Flier for Metro Coffee House Solo Art Show: Moped Guy SeriesGrit City Fest Logo. Suzanne Skaar. 2010. Suzanne Skaar, Exposed Heart. 2009. Ink, paper.Suzanne Skaar, Memorial. October 2013. Digital media.Moped Guy Rides! Animated gif. Suzanne Skaar, 2008. All rights reserved.Suzanne Skaar, Piranha sticker. 2008.Suzanne Skaar. “Aha.” 2008. Chalk Pastel, paper.Suzanne Skaar, Southern Malm. 2009. Ink, paper.“Cats and Tea.” Suzanne Skaar. 2013. Digital Media.Suzanne Skaar. Wyatt. 2001. Acrylic, canvas. 16 in. x 20 in.Suzanne Skaar. Rain. Ink, Watercolor, Paper. 2009.Suzanne Skaar. Blue Room. 2001. Acrylic, Canvas.Suzanne Skaar. Moped Guy and Tricycle Bear. 2007. Spraypaint/ Definitely Not former apartment’s wall.Suzanne Skaar. Dragonfly Swarm. Digital Media. 2008.Suzanne Skaar. Bridge. Ink, Paper. 2009.Suzanne Skaar, Tim Kapler Collaboration. “Moped Guy and Wuv Bear.” Paper, brush pens, Microns, coloring pencils. 2014.Suzanne Skaar. Dinosaur In Progress. Digital Media. 2014.Suzanne Skaar. More Dinosaur Mischief. Digital Media. 2014.Suzanne Skaar. “Fall in Line.” 2014.2014. Steampunk Series, Part 2. Suzanne Skaar. Animation, concept work.Steampunk Series, Pt. 3. Suzanne Skaar. Animation, concept work. 2014.Suzanne Skaar. Spray paint, paper, ceramic tile. 2007The Waste Land. Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media/ Tribute to April, a loved one whose lost the fight to LLS. 2014.“Clandestine”: Concept sketch/ Digital Media. Suzanne Skaar. 2014.No Mine! Studios logo. Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media. 2013. Pirate Buff Bear. Suzanne Skaar. 2011. Duct tape on existing buffed-over graffiti.“Relieving Boredom.” Suzanne Skaar. Sketch. 2009.Steampunk Nursery Installation in progress. Suzanne Skaar. Birch (foreground). Approx. 22″ x 36″. 2014.Swallow. Suzanne Skaar. Pencil, Newsprint. 2014.Gear. Suzanne Skaar. Birch, Lasercut. Approx. 10″ diameter. Steampunk Installation in Progress. 2014. Steampunk Installation in Progress. Suzanne Skaar. Birch, other wood. Pieces range from 10″ in diameter to 22″ x 36″. 2014.Swallow. Suzanne Skaar. Woodcut, laser. Approximately 8″ x 2″. Steampunk Installation in progress. 2014.Sea Monster. Suzanne Skaar. Birch, India Ink, bolts, hinges, cord. 2014. Photo by Tim Kapler.Dragonfly. Suzanne Skaar. 2014. Digital Media.“Toilet Elephant.” Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media/ Animated .gif. 2014. Cute-off #10.“Dancing Beaver.” Suzanne Skaar. Digital media/ Animated .gif. CUTE-OFF #9. 2014.Okongo Logo. Suzanne Skaar. 2010.Northern Pacific Logo. Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media. 2014.Suzanne and Izzy drawing at Metro Coffee. Photo by Tim Kapler.Suzanne working and Isobel helping: January 2014. Photo by Tim Kapler.Toddler headlock/ a.k.a., what working from home looks like. Photo by Suzanne Skaar.“Family.” Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media. 2015.Artwork for Radio Tacoma, KTAH, 101.9 FM.“Cherry Blossoms.” Suzanne Skaar. Digital Media. Moped Guy Series. 2016.“Nerd Badge” available on a variety of products at nominestudios.redbubble.com .Gif: Animation sequence for as yet untitled video game. Suzanne Skaar. 2020. All rights reserved. Girl with hammer on sidewalk: illustration by Suzanne Skaar. 2021Compilation of art for as yet untitled 2D pixel art dino video game by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved.“Spin.” Animated GIF by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved.Call for audio submissions for indie game based in Tacoma. Art by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.Call for audio submissions for indie game based in Tacoma. Art by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.Call for audio submissions for indie game based in Tacoma. Art by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
This week I’ve been building out the game environment, adding details, and working on sound design. Here’s a peek:
7 15 2022 in game engine clip. Visual and sound design by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2022. All rights reserved.
As a reminder, it’s not too late to add your voice to the game as a background character! Please click here for more details, or email nominestudios@gmail.com with questions.
My 43rd birthday is on July 26. While many people use their birthdays on social media these days to solicit funds for charity, I am collecting impressions of dinosaurs.
In 2021, my indie game was accepted into the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program for support while I focus on research and designing the background art. One of my other goals for this project is to include as many voices from the Greater Tacoma Community as I can in the game. As such, I want to include others’ best (and even worst) dinosaur impressions in the game’s soundscape.
QUESTION: Is there pay for participating? No, there is no pay. But if your audio clip is used, you have the choice whether you will be included in the credits or not.
Don’t live in Tacoma but want to participate anyway? Not a problem!
If you are under 18, please get permission from your parent or guardian prior to participating.
If this sounds like fun, please check out the application form for complete details(Word/ PDF). Submissions are due July 26, 2022.
Please note that submissions may be shared on social media. If you don’t want your submission shared, please don’t send it! And if you do share your submission on social media, please tag @nominestudios!
No, Mine! Studios 