We recently connected with Kristin Shiraef and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My years of traditional illustration have been deeply fulfilling, yet I have always aspired to elevate my other artistic passions—enchanted stories, musical scores, and 2D animations—into a more interactive and cohesive medium.

My husband, Joseph, who was pursuing his masters degree in computer programming at the time, was inspired by my creative works and introduced me to gaming technology as the perfect medium to bring our long-shared dream of collaboration to life.
With a novel already in progress, we decided to transform the first book of the series, “Aron’s Gift,” into an isometric, semi-open world RPG gaming experience. This project seamlessly blends our love of classical storybook illustrations with a dark fantasy art style, enchanting musical scores, and intriguing level design. Joseph’s unique artistic programming style, expertise in writing along with his 3D animation skills, set the stage for the making of a truly fantastical experience.

Mastering the visual art style and work pipeline to meet our strict quality standards for all future Inktale Studio games, took me three years to perfect. Fast forward eight years of development, three relocations, a third child, and one pandemic later, we remain unshaken and steadfastly committed to our goals. Despite the many trials that come with any passion, our journey has just begun, and we are excited to turn our love of storytelling into a lifelong adventure for our family and others to enjoy.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not know me, my journey began with a deep passion for traditional illustration, which has been incredibly fulfilling. However, I’ve always aspired to elevate my other artistic passions—enchanted stories, musical scores, and 2D animations—into a more interactive medium.
My husband, Joseph, who was pursuing his master’s degree in computer programming, introduced me to gaming technology as the perfect medium to bring our collaborative dream to life. With a novel already in progress, we decided to transform the first book of the series, “Aron’s Gift,” into an isometric, semi-open world RPG. This project seamlessly blends our love of classical storybook illustrations with a dark fantasy art style, enchanting musical scores, and intriguing level design. Joseph’s programming expertise and 3D animation skills were crucial in setting the stage for a truly fantastical experience.
Mastering the visual art style and work pipeline to meet our strict quality standards took me three years. Fast forward eight years of development, three relocations, a third child, and one pandemic later, we remain unshaken and steadfastly committed to our goals. As a complete family of five, we continue to pursue our hard work to completion. Despite the many trials that come with this passion, our journey has just begun, and we are determined to turn our love of storytelling into a lifelong adventure for our family and others to enjoy.
What sets us apart is our dedication to blending traditional art with modern technology to create immersive and interactive experiences. We provide a unique combination of classical storybook illustrations, dark fantasy art, musical scores, and intricate level design in our games. Our goal is to offer players an enchanting and immersive experience that goes beyond typical gameplay.
We are most proud of our ability to stay committed to our vision despite numerous challenges. Our work is a testament to our passion for storytelling and our belief in the power of interactive media to create meaningful and memorable experiences.
We want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that our work is driven by a deep love for art and storytelling. We are dedicated to creating high-quality, immersive experiences that captivate and inspire. Our journey is ongoing, and we are excited to share our adventures with you.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since I was 18, my artistic journey has been a vibrant tapestry. I started with a mural business and local portrait commissions, while tutoring children in art and running a photography business.
Later, I ventured into the corporate world, gaining diverse experiences from factories to natural attractions and waitressing at a country club.
These experiences led me to social media, where I honed my artistic style that built the confidence I needed to make the most transformative pivot in my career: transitioning from traditional art to digital gaming. This bold decision, driven by my desire to work with my soulmate and husband, has been both challenging and rewarding. It required me to set aside years of progress in the physical art world and dedicate all my creative energy to this new passion.
Today, I am profoundly grateful for these courageous choices. I am proud of myself and my husband for daring to chase a dream that once seemed beyond reach. The pursuit of this dream, with all its risks, has been a testament to the power of imagination and the magic of possibility.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Absolutely! There are countless inspirational resources that have shaped my imagination and philosophy. From live-action movies such as The Wizard of Oz, The Dark Crystal, and The NeverEnding Story, to animated films such as The Hobbit, The Last Unicorn, and the classic world of Disney animations, along with the brilliantly developed Studio Ghibli films.
In the realm of fantasy literature, works like Sir MacHenry and novels such as, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Screwtape Letters, as well as John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, have been incredibly influential to me as well ,to name just a few.
Book illustrators such as Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, Alan Lee, and Aubrey Beardsley have also inspired my work.
The gaming industry has had a profound impact on me as well, with favorites like Folklore, the Fable series, and the Zelda games (Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Tears of the Kingdom). Indie games such as Valiant Hearts, Stardew Valley, and Ori and the Blind Forest have also been significant sources of inspiration.
Additionally, my brother Casey Baugh has been an exemplary inspiration throughout my career, along with the magical works of artists like Tracy Lewis, Lioba Brückner, Amy Sol, Marga Biazzi, Richey Beckett, Conrad Roset, Brad Kunkle , Caitlin Hackett, Loish, Mike Carson, and many more. Social media continues to introduce me to new and upcoming artists who inspire me daily.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.Inktalestudis.com
• Instagram: Krztns or Kristin Shiraef , Inktale Studios
• Facebook: “Peek inside my mind” Facebook page and “Inktale Studios” Facebook page
• Other: Personal Email is [email protected]

Image Credits

Myself Kristin Shiraef