Caryn Vainio
@hellchick.bsky.social
Mostly trying to be a painter and printmaker. Also a solo game dev. Check out my work at carynvainioart.com and shadowdoggames.com
Pinned
Caryn Vainio
@hellchick.bsky.social
· Jul 9
Save 10% on Wordy Rain on Steam
A word-making puzzle game with an action mechanic, or a cozy chill experience. Make words from falling blocks, but don't let them get to the top! Use powerups and strategy to see how long you can go.
store.steampowered.com
It's ALIVE! I pushed the big green button on Steam today to release my word puzzle app, Wordy Rain! I've got a small launch discount for you to take advantage of today. store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/... #wordgame #wordpuzzle #steam #indiegames #cozygames
Some very rough concepting for the alpacas in Alpacas on Vacation. The idea is that the player can mix and match topknot styles, mouth shapes, and body widths to customize their herd. I’m liking that bottom center guy a lot.
December 2, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Some very rough concepting for the alpacas in Alpacas on Vacation. The idea is that the player can mix and match topknot styles, mouth shapes, and body widths to customize their herd. I’m liking that bottom center guy a lot.
The Dr. Seuss version of an alpaca is…just a regular alpaca.
December 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The Dr. Seuss version of an alpaca is…just a regular alpaca.
I always consider it a good sign when, during a playtest, the tester's kid starts backseat playing. "Wait, you gotta get the balloon...okay YESSS you got it"
November 30, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I always consider it a good sign when, during a playtest, the tester's kid starts backseat playing. "Wait, you gotta get the balloon...okay YESSS you got it"
One of my favorite parts of early game dev is subbing in 10s hand-drawn sketches until you have the real deal, like this tutorial popup in Alpacas On Vacation.
November 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
One of my favorite parts of early game dev is subbing in 10s hand-drawn sketches until you have the real deal, like this tutorial popup in Alpacas On Vacation.
I like the weird kaleidoscope pattern that successive paintings leaves on my easel.
November 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I like the weird kaleidoscope pattern that successive paintings leaves on my easel.
As regular as clockwork, every few years I turn to Saul Bass’ body of work for design inspiration. I never get tired of looking at it. What an absolutely banger portfolio this man amassed over his career. elements.envato.com/learn/saul-b...
Saul Bass design: How one designer rewrote the rules of film forever
Dive deep into examples of Saul Bass design as we look at some of his iconic movie title sequences and movie posters.
elements.envato.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
As regular as clockwork, every few years I turn to Saul Bass’ body of work for design inspiration. I never get tired of looking at it. What an absolutely banger portfolio this man amassed over his career. elements.envato.com/learn/saul-b...
I'm making a game called "Alpacas on Vacation" and a few weeks ago I started a simple design prototype to try out some ideas in a lightweight HTML 2D-only way. It's become SO fun to work on. Want to see it so far? Here it is (there's no sound yet): alpacasonvacation.netlify.app/prototype-1/...
Alpacas on Vacation - Prototype 1
alpacasonvacation.netlify.app
November 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I'm making a game called "Alpacas on Vacation" and a few weeks ago I started a simple design prototype to try out some ideas in a lightweight HTML 2D-only way. It's become SO fun to work on. Want to see it so far? Here it is (there's no sound yet): alpacasonvacation.netlify.app/prototype-1/...
Took this last night on my way out of the Nate Bargatze show.
November 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Took this last night on my way out of the Nate Bargatze show.
It's Halloween and Wordy Rain got a Halloween-themed update this month! If you missed it, check it out! store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...
October 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
It's Halloween and Wordy Rain got a Halloween-themed update this month! If you missed it, check it out! store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
every friend group has a Coıdemt, a Lergevhtiepsappe, a Guwht dade, and a Jalvodnre... if u don't know which one is the Jalvodnre... it's u 😂😂😂🤣
October 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
every friend group has a Coıdemt, a Lergevhtiepsappe, a Guwht dade, and a Jalvodnre... if u don't know which one is the Jalvodnre... it's u 😂😂😂🤣
Here’s another piece in my new body of work. This one is already reserved by a collector!
“And So the Infinite Division of Space and Time”
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
40” x 34”
See it here: www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
“And So the Infinite Division of Space and Time”
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
40” x 34”
See it here: www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
October 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Here’s another piece in my new body of work. This one is already reserved by a collector!
“And So the Infinite Division of Space and Time”
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
40” x 34”
See it here: www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
“And So the Infinite Division of Space and Time”
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
40” x 34”
See it here: www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
I get just as excited by the Scholastic Book Fair catalog now when my kids get it as I did when I was 9 years old and got it.
October 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I get just as excited by the Scholastic Book Fair catalog now when my kids get it as I did when I was 9 years old and got it.
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
While we're finishing up Dosa Divas, we're still shopping around two smaller new projects. We wanted to let folks know with enough time and severance. Here's a spreadsheet with info on each person and I'm happy to provide any recommendations for any of them. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Outerloop Alumni - PUBLIC Contact Info
docs.google.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
While we're finishing up Dosa Divas, we're still shopping around two smaller new projects. We wanted to let folks know with enough time and severance. Here's a spreadsheet with info on each person and I'm happy to provide any recommendations for any of them. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
We're saying goodbye to six wonderful folks on our team this week at @outerloopgames.bsky.social They've been part of the team for years and unfortunately we got hit with some unexpected US tax changes, a port cancellation, and new project pitches that are going slow. It's a rough year.
October 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
We're saying goodbye to six wonderful folks on our team this week at @outerloopgames.bsky.social They've been part of the team for years and unfortunately we got hit with some unexpected US tax changes, a port cancellation, and new project pitches that are going slow. It's a rough year.
Another piece from my new body of work!
“The Disobediences Yet to Come”
Acrylic, pencil, and oil pastel on canvas
29” x 36” x 1.5”
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
“The Disobediences Yet to Come”
Acrylic, pencil, and oil pastel on canvas
29” x 36” x 1.5”
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
October 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Another piece from my new body of work!
“The Disobediences Yet to Come”
Acrylic, pencil, and oil pastel on canvas
29” x 36” x 1.5”
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
“The Disobediences Yet to Come”
Acrylic, pencil, and oil pastel on canvas
29” x 36” x 1.5”
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
In 2023 I started created a new body of work I was really excited about. I had to set aside working on it through much of 2024 and this year I dove back into it. I'm still working on new pieces within it but I want to start showing the ones I've got as it's a cohesive set, so:
October 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
In 2023 I started created a new body of work I was really excited about. I had to set aside working on it through much of 2024 and this year I dove back into it. I'm still working on new pieces within it but I want to start showing the ones I've got as it's a cohesive set, so:
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
When a gauge is a vibe
October 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
When a gauge is a vibe
Who’s posting the best Ghost of Yotei photo mode shares in this place? ‘Cause I wanna follow ‘em.
October 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Who’s posting the best Ghost of Yotei photo mode shares in this place? ‘Cause I wanna follow ‘em.
From my archives! I've always loved this painting; when I come across it in my studio I smile. It's not like what I'm painting today but I often think about returning to some of the ideas in it. www.carynvainioart.com/lifeline?aa_...
October 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
From my archives! I've always loved this painting; when I come across it in my studio I smile. It's not like what I'm painting today but I often think about returning to some of the ideas in it. www.carynvainioart.com/lifeline?aa_...
I started working on my next game a couple of weeks ago after letting three ideas marinate for a few weeks. That cone that I posted on a grid a week or so ago? Here's a hint as to what I envision it looking like later.
October 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I started working on my next game a couple of weeks ago after letting three ideas marinate for a few weeks. That cone that I posted on a grid a week or so ago? Here's a hint as to what I envision it looking like later.
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
If you are waiting for Forbidden Solitaire, how about trying out one of our other solitaire games.
- Regency Solitaire 1 & 2 have a nice story.
- Shadowhand and Ancient Enemy have a story and also solitaire combat and RPG-style stats.
store.steampowered.com/developer/Gr...
- Regency Solitaire 1 & 2 have a nice story.
- Shadowhand and Ancient Enemy have a story and also solitaire combat and RPG-style stats.
store.steampowered.com/developer/Gr...
Steam Developer: Grey Alien Games
All games that Grey Alien Games has created or published.
store.steampowered.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM
If you are waiting for Forbidden Solitaire, how about trying out one of our other solitaire games.
- Regency Solitaire 1 & 2 have a nice story.
- Shadowhand and Ancient Enemy have a story and also solitaire combat and RPG-style stats.
store.steampowered.com/developer/Gr...
- Regency Solitaire 1 & 2 have a nice story.
- Shadowhand and Ancient Enemy have a story and also solitaire combat and RPG-style stats.
store.steampowered.com/developer/Gr...
The Fall Steam sale ends in a few hours, so grab Wordy Rain and its new Halloween content at 20% off while you still can! store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
Wordy Rain - The Halloween Update! - Steam News
Check out the new Halloween background and find ten new spooky secret words.
store.steampowered.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The Fall Steam sale ends in a few hours, so grab Wordy Rain and its new Halloween content at 20% off while you still can! store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
Just in time for the Steam Fall Sale, my game Wordy Rain is 20% off today AAAAND has a new Halloween update! New background scene, new VFX, new music in each mode with the new scene, and ten new spooky secret words to find! MacOS and Windows!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
Wordy Rain - The Halloween Update! - Steam News
Check out the new Halloween background and find ten new spooky secret words.
store.steampowered.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Just in time for the Steam Fall Sale, my game Wordy Rain is 20% off today AAAAND has a new Halloween update! New background scene, new VFX, new music in each mode with the new scene, and ten new spooky secret words to find! MacOS and Windows!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/376...
Had my closest encounter ever with a bear since I began living here in the PNW in 2007. Was on the dog walk through the woods nearby, had my AirPods in and a podcast on -- which I should have turned down in these woods because bears live there! Dog was doing his business and then perked up...
September 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Had my closest encounter ever with a bear since I began living here in the PNW in 2007. Was on the dog walk through the woods nearby, had my AirPods in and a podcast on -- which I should have turned down in these woods because bears live there! Dog was doing his business and then perked up...
Reposted by Caryn Vainio
Regency Solitaire II, cosy as heck, 97% positive, on sale at 53% off. You'll love it.
store.steampowered.com/app/2137470/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2137470/...
Save 53% on Regency Solitaire II on Steam
Revisit romantic Regency Britain to build a glorious garden, in this charming solitaire sequel. Tour historic hotspots, silence gossips, and host the season’s most anticipated soiree. Play your cards ...
store.steampowered.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Regency Solitaire II, cosy as heck, 97% positive, on sale at 53% off. You'll love it.
store.steampowered.com/app/2137470/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2137470/...