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
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.
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.
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/...
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...
The diffuse light in my paintings comes directly from life here in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a photo I took the other day of a typical morning around where I live this time of year.
October 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The diffuse light in my paintings comes directly from life here in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a photo I took the other day of a typical morning around where I live this time of 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...
Here's one of them:
"Every Broken Arrow"
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
29" x 36" x 1.5"
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
"Every Broken Arrow"
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
29" x 36" x 1.5"
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
October 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Here's one of them:
"Every Broken Arrow"
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
29" x 36" x 1.5"
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
"Every Broken Arrow"
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
29" x 36" x 1.5"
You can see more here! www.carynvainioart.com/broken-arrow...
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've owned a small herd of alpacas for the last 16 years, and I've had many, many game ideas in my head involving them. I'm finally going to make one of those ideas. (This is Midnight, Sarge, and Cookie, our current herd members.)
October 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I've owned a small herd of alpacas for the last 16 years, and I've had many, many game ideas in my head involving them. I'm finally going to make one of those ideas. (This is Midnight, Sarge, and Cookie, our current herd members.)
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.
September is almost over, and I MIGHT be working on a new themed update for Wordy Rain for October. Which means there's only a few more days to find the hidden words for September (and get the Steam achievement on Windows). Have you found any?? store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...
September 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
September is almost over, and I MIGHT be working on a new themed update for Wordy Rain for October. Which means there's only a few more days to find the hidden words for September (and get the Steam achievement on Windows). Have you found any?? store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...
I knit the swatch on bamboo size 7 needles with the yarn held double. This was my solution for "I don't want to knit a sweater, even a small one, in fingerweight yarn on size 3 needles." And it's perfect: the doubled 2-ply makes a gorgeous fabric at this gauge.
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I knit the swatch on bamboo size 7 needles with the yarn held double. This was my solution for "I don't want to knit a sweater, even a small one, in fingerweight yarn on size 3 needles." And it's perfect: the doubled 2-ply makes a gorgeous fabric at this gauge.
The resulting yarn is FABULOUS so far. Met my expectations on specs, exceeds them on hand and feel. I finished the sample yesterday, washed and snapped the yarn, and it was dry enough today to knit into the swatch. I used the entire 1 oz (plus a bit of wool at the end of the last row).
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The resulting yarn is FABULOUS so far. Met my expectations on specs, exceeds them on hand and feel. I finished the sample yesterday, washed and snapped the yarn, and it was dry enough today to knit into the swatch. I used the entire 1 oz (plus a bit of wool at the end of the last row).
On the sampling!
I hand carded the fiber into rolags, then spun them on a low-whorl hand carved spindle I have. I chose that spindle due to its low-ish weight and spin: light enough not to remove too much loft as I spin, but not as light as, say, my Peruvian pushkas (I use those for true loft).
I hand carded the fiber into rolags, then spun them on a low-whorl hand carved spindle I have. I chose that spindle due to its low-ish weight and spin: light enough not to remove too much loft as I spin, but not as light as, say, my Peruvian pushkas (I use those for true loft).
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
On the sampling!
I hand carded the fiber into rolags, then spun them on a low-whorl hand carved spindle I have. I chose that spindle due to its low-ish weight and spin: light enough not to remove too much loft as I spin, but not as light as, say, my Peruvian pushkas (I use those for true loft).
I hand carded the fiber into rolags, then spun them on a low-whorl hand carved spindle I have. I chose that spindle due to its low-ish weight and spin: light enough not to remove too much loft as I spin, but not as light as, say, my Peruvian pushkas (I use those for true loft).
Here's the raw materials: clean alpaca fleece from my boy Indie, who passed away a few years ago at age 16. I still have about 2 lbs. of his gorgeous rose-gray fleece. Also, a bunch of Tencel fiber I've had for years that needs to be used up.
Assumption: tencel will add drape but be breathable.
Assumption: tencel will add drape but be breathable.
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Here's the raw materials: clean alpaca fleece from my boy Indie, who passed away a few years ago at age 16. I still have about 2 lbs. of his gorgeous rose-gray fleece. Also, a bunch of Tencel fiber I've had for years that needs to be used up.
Assumption: tencel will add drape but be breathable.
Assumption: tencel will add drape but be breathable.
🧵Deep dive on yarn making!
One of the things I do: I make yarn and textiles. And this week I'm starting a new project from the animal up: a short lightweight sweater to throw over summer dresses (I know, the season is almost over) made with alpaca from my herd. Here's my quick sketch:
One of the things I do: I make yarn and textiles. And this week I'm starting a new project from the animal up: a short lightweight sweater to throw over summer dresses (I know, the season is almost over) made with alpaca from my herd. Here's my quick sketch:
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
🧵Deep dive on yarn making!
One of the things I do: I make yarn and textiles. And this week I'm starting a new project from the animal up: a short lightweight sweater to throw over summer dresses (I know, the season is almost over) made with alpaca from my herd. Here's my quick sketch:
One of the things I do: I make yarn and textiles. And this week I'm starting a new project from the animal up: a short lightweight sweater to throw over summer dresses (I know, the season is almost over) made with alpaca from my herd. Here's my quick sketch:
See that cone? That cone's gonna be an alpaca in The Next Game, which has entered prototyping. And that's all I'll say about that for now!
September 20, 2025 at 2:32 AM
See that cone? That cone's gonna be an alpaca in The Next Game, which has entered prototyping. And that's all I'll say about that for now!
I'm really happy with what I've been doing in the studio recently. The current body of work is exciting. Here's a corner of something finished and new...if you want to see the whole thing, I've been showing finished pieces to my newsletter subscribers! I don't spam, I promise. www.carynvainioart.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I'm really happy with what I've been doing in the studio recently. The current body of work is exciting. Here's a corner of something finished and new...if you want to see the whole thing, I've been showing finished pieces to my newsletter subscribers! I don't spam, I promise. www.carynvainioart.com
I added a new article to my "anti-art class" series: how to make a productive mess. open.substack.com/pub/carynvai...
September 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I added a new article to my "anti-art class" series: how to make a productive mess. open.substack.com/pub/carynvai...
It’s been hard this week with All Of This to just be in the art studio with my phone face down in the corner and work, but that’s what I’m doing.
September 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
It’s been hard this week with All Of This to just be in the art studio with my phone face down in the corner and work, but that’s what I’m doing.
Sketchbook work today. I toned the pages with nickel azo gold and I love the way the warmth comes through.
September 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Sketchbook work today. I toned the pages with nickel azo gold and I love the way the warmth comes through.
I love taping up a new canvas. It takes physical effort — I stretch it just like over bars — and there’s a process. It’s a very mindful way of beginning new work. When you’re done it’s perfectly flat and the possibilities are endless.
September 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I love taping up a new canvas. It takes physical effort — I stretch it just like over bars — and there’s a process. It’s a very mindful way of beginning new work. When you’re done it’s perfectly flat and the possibilities are endless.
The 1.2 update to my little game Wordy Rain is live! A new scene, a new powerup, and a new secret word feature that will change every season! Because this first one is short, I'm spoiling three of the words for you in this video. ;) #cozygame #wordgame store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...
September 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The 1.2 update to my little game Wordy Rain is live! A new scene, a new powerup, and a new secret word feature that will change every season! Because this first one is short, I'm spoiling three of the words for you in this video. ;) #cozygame #wordgame store.steampowered.com/app/3767020/...