80% Studios

07/22/2025

PATREON PATREON PATREON

Sizzlin summer preview of the newest schemes hatched by your favorite storytelling duo!

Sign up for just a couple bucks and help support the next generation of storytellers!

patreon.com/80percentstudios

07/19/2025

Since our inception, 80% Studios has called Seattle its home. The city has changed drastically since then, but for better or worse, it is still our home. When we created Chickaloonies in 2021, we had hoped to break into the local market, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease and finally, 4 years later, we completed our first mini tour of Seattle, sharing the power of creativity with the emerald city!

As expected, we were thrilled to see so many amazing artists—young and old—attend our Words and Pictures Workshops at the various Libraries we visited around King County. It seems like no matter where you go, libraries stand as lighting rods of the community, attracting imagination like lightning and providing a safe place for that creativity to be expressed—no matter what age, race or gender.

KCLS is a shining example of this, filled with dedicated librarians who are truly committed to sharing their love of stories with every single person who walks in the door. One of those stories being CHICKALOONIES, which you can find at many of the KCLS locations across the county.

We’ve mentioned before how huge of support system the libraries have been for 80% and we are deeply humbled to add these magical places that live in our own backyard to the list! Huge thanks to SandraRosa at 320th for taking a chance on us last year and getting the ball rolling; to Jeong and Lindsay at North Bend and Shel at Tukwila for all their support.

Also, huge thanks to Hayden Mears for the Seattle Times article which really helped to spread the word and make our workshops some of the most well attended events at the library this year!

If you want Moji and Yelly to visit YOUR library, tell your librarian or friends of the library groups about 80% Studios and tell them to get in contact.

Only YOU can help us to empower the next generation of storytellers. Next up for Moji and Yelly—The ALASKA STATE FAIR! Keep it tuned for more updates and thank you to all our supporters!!

07/14/2025

In print and in your face! Our Seattle Times article written by Hayden Mears is available in today’s paper!

Since 2021, we’ve been self producing Chickaloonies and deploying the themes, lessons and values to a variety of arenas such as education, murals, live storytelling and more. Now, with our entrance into the Seattle market, ⚠️WE NEED YOUR HELP⚠️!!
We are looking to take our work to the next level and are in need of representation in the form of a literary agent who can connect us to a publisher so that we can share the magic of Chickaloonies with the world! This is some true, dyed in the wool magic we’ve been cooking up and anyone in their right mind will be clamoring to get their hands on this property!

If you know someone who can help, share this far and wide because we need AMPLIFICATION🔊! Connect us on social media, email, whatever—any and all support is greatly appreciated!

Visit eightypercentustudios.com to order a copy of Chickaloonies, read a FREE PREVIEW and see all that 80% has to offer.

Contact us for a promotional pitch packet and other marketing tools.

Also, here are the links to sign up for one of our workshops this week!!

– Monday, July 14, at noon: Federal Way 320th branch, 848 S. 320th St., Federal Way; free; event full, join waitlist at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-Federal-Way

– Tuesday, July 15, at 4 p.m.: North Bend branch, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend; free; register at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-North-Bend

– Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m.: Tukwila branch, 14380 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila; free; register at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-Tukwila

07/12/2025

We finally got a copy of our good friend Nicholas DeShaw’s kid’s picture book ‘LOAF THE CAT GOES TO THE POWWOW’ illustrated by Tara Audibert. The story is told from the point of view from Loaf, who spends his days (and nights) playing with his best friend who he calls “My Boy”. It never says how young or old Loaf is, and it doesn’t really matter…but he definitely acts like a kitten at heart. The art is energetic with some great layouts that weave between traditional picture book style and sequential beats of words to pictures. The colors are vibrant with breathable use of negative space that pull you into the compositional atmosphere. You get a sense of the kinetic playfulness that Loaf leaves in his wake from page to page. When his Boy crafts his sweet new Grass Dancer regalia, it’s time to hit the dance floor! Pow Wows are probably the last place you’d expect to see a cat, but Loaf proves that the power of drum transcends nations, age and species! NO SPOILERS here though, so you’ll have to grab a copy to get the rest of the story….This is a perfect to read your kids, grandkids, or your cat for that matter!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690490/loaf-the-cat-goes-to-the-powwow-by-nicholas-deshaw-illustrated-by-tara-audibert/

07/11/2025

NEW PATREON POST!!

Sign up for our Patreon to be the first to learn about new projects, events and all things CHICKALOONIES!

Support the next generation of storytellers at patreon.com/80percentstudios

07/11/2025

In anticipation of our entrance into the Seattle market, 80% is proud to share this amazing article in the showcasing our work with Chickaloonies over the past few years!

Huge thanks to Hayden Mears for capturing our story and amplifying it for all to hear!

https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/workshops-aim-to-help-people-to-their-stories-center-native-art/

Don’t miss out on our workshops this month—

– Monday, July 14, at noon: Federal Way 320th branch, 848 S. 320th St., Federal Way; free; event full, join waitlist at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-Federal-Way

– Tuesday, July 15, at 4 p.m.: North Bend branch, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend; free; register at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-North-Bend

– Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m.: Tukwila branch, 14380 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila; free; register at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-Tukwila

And in August—
– Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3:30 p.m.: Snoqualmie branch, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie; free; register at st.news/Storytelling-Workshop-Snoqualmie

07/08/2025

80% is pleased to announce that we’re bringing our “Chickaloonies: Words and Pictures workshop” to the Seattle area!! Learn about the secret sequential arts behind creating visual stories, as well as the power of collaboration, communication and creativity!

We’ll be hosting 3 at various King County Library locations in July and then one more in August, so mark your calendars! All events are free to attend, but you must register on the King County Library website. Spots are limited so don’t delay, sign up today!!

7/14 - 12-2pm @ 320th Library Federal Way

https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/68116472075f772800783df6

7/15 - 4-5:30 pm @ North Bend Library

https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/683ddf0652113c360023a980

7/16 - 4-5pm @ Tukwila Library

https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/681250435d951f3600156b8d

8/10 - 3:30-5pm @ Snoqualmie Library

https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/684a1b0753f9ae2f00085839

07/01/2025

80% Book Review!

THE BIG BEAR AND THE BLUEBERRY MOON
(W/A) Pat Race

It’s hard to find one’s place in the world. As children, if we’re lucky, we are shown unconditional love and support which helps to give us the tools to find our path in life. Sometimes though, you have to find your own way, as is the case with the delightful kids book, “THE BIG BEAR AND THE BLUEBERRY MOON” by Pat Race. Pat is one half of the amazing duo behind Alaska Robotics—a true homegrown, community centered gallery/comic shop/company located in Juneau, Alaska. These guys are the linchpin that ties so many creative threads in this area filled with as many artists as there are giant Ravens and it’s great to see Pat exercise his artistic chops in this new picture book.

We are introduced to the legend of what may very well be the biggest bear known to man, living far off in the distant mountains of Alaska. But he wasn’t always so large. Once he did small bear things, but thanks to his deep seated love of blueberries, the bear grew and grew and grew until he became so big, that no matter what the bear did, it caused an imbalance for his fellow forest friends. Saddened by this, but not able to change his gigantic stature, the bear devises a plan that maybe, just maybe, will fix everything.

Pat weaves themes of uncertainty, making friends, fitting in and refusing to let a problem derail your life into magical tale
that feels like a timeless bedtime story for the ages. The art is inviting and open, with lush colors and textures that echo the majesty of the Alaskan wilderness.

Stop by to see Pat and Aaron at the Alaska Robotics HQ in Juneau to pick up a copy or order one through their website. https://alaskarobotics.com/

A perfect gift for kids and parents alike to share with one another that is only possible through the wonder of words and pictures.

06/29/2025

Over the last few years, we’ve been very fortunate to be welcomed into a number of great communities. From big to small, these tight knit groups of families and new found friends have shown us that above all, America is hungry for stories—perhaps now more than ever. Which is why it’s no surprise that libraries—these holy houses of stories—are the common thread that connects each community. In fact, library pride is a real thing and here in Missoula, Montana, they take that notion very seriously.

For the past few days, we’ve had the privilege of sharing our knowledge and stories with the next generation of storytellers here in the American heartland.
While one might think of only cowboys and westerns, the town of Missoula is a beautiful, progressive small town nestled amongst the rolling hills of verdant green. This is small town America in 2025, which may seem hard to imagine, but it does still exist. A town that actually understands what it means to support local food, art, music and all the other things that make a place an actual home.

This includes a fierce loyalty to what may be the nicest library we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The Missoula Public Library is a central node in the life cycle of so many people, providing much more than just a place to hang out when it’s cold. We hosted 2 workshops filled with kids and parents who came prepared to throw down in the storytelling arena and show why Missoula is one of the most literary cities in the US.

We’re thrilled to have been able to expand our reach into such a magical new place and cannot thank Kayla and the Missoula Public library enough for hosting such a great weekend. We look forward to hearing the stories of those we taught upon our return and we’ll keep that small town feel in our hearts as we return to the big city that is Seattle.

06/26/2025

Presented by 80% Studios, this immersive and collaborative workshop is for all skill levels. Learn visual storytelling, art fundamentals, and character development skills to write your own story. And this isn’t just an art class! Participants will develop a sense of identity through cultural exploration, understand the importance of compassion and empathy towards others, and build confidence through artistic expression. This workshop will be offered twice, covering the same material, and is designed for youth ages 12-17 - but all are welcome! All materials will be provided. The Summer Learning Program is made possible with support from the Missoula Public Library Foundation.

06/24/2025

Check out the interview we did last month with Emily Forstner in Wasilla!

The Chickaloonies are modern-day storytellers who create new stories from the ancient teachings of the Chickaloon​​ Tribe. Hear their story on Voices of the Mat-Su on Friday June 27th at 5pm, repeating Saturday June 28th at noon and then podcast on voicesofthematsu.org or your favorite podcast channel.

06/21/2025

SO SICK!!!