You may or may not have already heard of a young artist named +Mar Mai, who is well on her way to achieving a mini celebrity status on Google+ with her cartoon artwork ranging from her illustrated novel to sought after characterizations of Google+ users. One of the coolest things about the drawings by +Mar Mai is that when I view them I instantly get a personality and back-story idea for the characters. How far I am off from what she intended is, of course, unknown, but the fact there is so much more elicited than a visual every time amazes me. I would think that it was solely something I personally am resonating with in the style, but there are so many others from different backgrounds that have positively reviewed her debut novel or who repeatedly post their compliments for each new image she publishes. She captures elements of personality gleaned from user's profiles and posts and her interactions with them to create uncannily accurate depictions according to the subjects and their friends. As to the fictional characters she draws, the whimsical personalities that jump from the page are apparent before even reading the first word of the story. With these things in mind, I really think she is achieving a level of artistry in her work beyond just drawing.
Not to take away anything from the art, but I would be remiss not to mention how the clean-up and coloring play a big part in the final production; like separate instruments in an orchestra that build on each other. Now, I do think the art can solo, but props to +Mary C. for taking it to another level, an artistry in and of itself no doubt, and a talent that should not go without mention in any review. Personally, I would enjoy seeing some untouched pieces sometime if +Mar Mai ever allows them into the wild. Seeing the stages at which they develop from initial pen on paper to the start and finish of coloring would also be awesome to see from both +Mar Mai and +Mary C.
It is truly a joy to be a part of the same online circles with +Mar Mai and +Mary C. and to see the evolution of +Mar Mai's art and story telling in the public arena. I hope this is just the very beginning because I am so looking forward to saying that "I knew her when…"
+Mar Mai is published on Amazon with her story, The Dragon Tutor (http://amzn.com/B009P87Y66). I highly recommend checking it out! My review of it can be found here: http://goo.gl/FRPqv
#gplusartists #artreview #coolstuff #marmai #marmaicomix
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Hear Hear. Well said +Scott Cramer I fully agree. +Mar Mai is not only a wonderful, friendly and kind person. She is smart and passionate about her art and just look at my avatar! I love it 🙂
Keep your eyes open for the upcoming Steampunk Webcomic.. where stuff happens and it will blow your mind!
Based on +Dirk Reul 's avatar, I'm definitely looking forward to the upcoming webcomic. bookmarking the Amazon link too for later viewing.
Could not have said it better myself, +Scott Cramer . Ironically, my new profile pic is from +Mary C. – not +Mar Mai ! Bunches of talent abound in that gene pool…
And yes, +Dirk Reul .. +Mar Mai is. A bundle full of happy and I smile just by looking at her profile pic sometimes. Hell, they both keep me smiling 🙂
+Steven Spence , please keep your eyes peeled. The comic should be fun & fab. And Dragon Tutor is an absolutely enjoyable read…
+Tracy Holmes I wondered about that when I saw your avatar! 😉
I secret santa'd her…And +Mary C. drew this awesome scene of she and I gettin' down to Aretha Franklin! I tell you it made my day… on my phone so can't share the link, but it's on her page and reshared on mine 🙂
Okay, right on! I read that post! Chain of Fools 😉
Well-deserved praise.
Agree +Tracy Holmes Scott is (also) very good at writing just the exact words that all would agree to say!
Lovely words as always +Scott Cramer!
How ridiculous. I've just bloody brought and posted about this as well +Scott Cramer! I'm always a step behind….;)
+Andrew Clifton-Brown Thought you were six hours ahead of me… bazinga!
Damn you're good!
It's hard to explain what it felt like when I saw the finished work from +Mar Mai
Forgive the fact that I just saw Rise of the Guardians and am totally stealing this concept, but I think giving that feeling you describe is what Mar's center might be.
Didn't see it, but totally get it. I even experience it vicariously when she unveils someone else's portrait. There's this rush because it is perfect. Every. Single. Time.
Couldn't have said It better myself, +Scott Cramer . +Mar Mai and +Mary C. are truly unique and awesome!!!
Very well said +Scott Cramer! Perfectly articulated what no doubt all of us were already thinking.
+1000!
So…I wonder if +Mar Mai is glad she came on G+ yet? ;D
Ay! +Kimberly Chapman ..I haven't seen you staking lately. Everything ok?
Come to think of it..No peep from the glomp sisters today either! Hmmm
+Tracy Holmes Just tired and baking and writing and stuff. 🙂
Ahhh. Ok. You make sure you get some rest! BaWriStuff can wait while you get some proper rest (throw in a treat for yourself while you're at it)! I need a proper stalker 🙂
Take care of yourself, k +Kimberly Chapman ?
There is just something so infectious about Mar and Mary. Ya just gotta love 'em.
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!
/me braces for incoming glompery
OH my GOODNESS!!!!!! KLSJDFKLJDSFLKDFSJSLDFKJDSKLJF!!!
+Scott Cramer oh my goodness! What!! What!!! GLOMP!!!!!!
Oh my goodness! Writing longer comment!!! writes!
+Kimberly Chapman *GLOMPINGS!!!*
Breathe, +Mar Mai. We can't have you expiring from joy at your keyboard. Breeeaaatthhhhe….
I… I don't know what to say! I'm crying (not in a bad way XD )
You have no idea how much this means to me! +Scott Cramer and everyone!! I would tag everybody but I'm having a hard time concentrating correctly!
You've all been so wonderful and kind! Thank you thank you thank you everyone!! Your friendship is the best gift I've ever been blessed to receive! Gah!! Crying GLOMPS!!!!
Sobbles of joy!!!!
GlomP!!!!!!!
Well, lady: That's how you make us feel, too 🙂 Truly scrumptious…
+Kyla Myers said it..You and +Mary C. Are simply infectious. *hugs*
(Hugs +Mar Mai) It's OK to be awesome, my friend. 🙂
Infectious like laughter, not like the flu, right +Tracy Holmes?
When we adopt you, we don't do it half-assed. 😉
+Jake Kern ..there's a difference? scratches head 🙂
(Okay, laughter. Lol)
You know who could really do a wonderful artistic rendering of "sobbles of joy"?
+Mar Mai.
I hear she's good at the drawy-drawing stuff.
+Kyla Myers It's so NICE to be adopted by all of you!!! Seriously!! Every day I can't wait until I have a minute to sneak a look on G+ and read and post!!
+Jake Kern Infectious GLOMPS!!!
+Tracy Holmes I hope you know how much you all mean to me too!!!! In a MAJOR way!! I've never giggled and laughed so much as I have the last month!! (it's only been that long??)
+Kimberly Chapman HEhehehe!!! Sobbles are easy to draw!! Except for the giant drops of water that fall on teh page!!!!
Our plan to lure her into a hangout is almost complete.I mean… * pets +Mar Mai all sweet and gentle-like *
Hangout with +Mar Mai, +Kimberly Chapman?! I'm so down with that!!! I was terrified of hangouts, Mar, but I love them, and I've helped others try them, too!!!
+Jake Kern +Kimberly Chapman GaH!!!!! XDDDD!!!
I'm still much Muuuuch more shy in person!!! Seriously! You wouldn't believe it!!
I believe it. Trust me! We will make it a lot of fun for you, +Mar Mai! Promise!
Shhhhyizim!! <curse! XD
Ohhh!!! Posted before seeing jake Comment!!
>>>> But then you'd see my face!!
Actually no, you could use one of the Toolbox face hider thingies.
Or do it in the dark.
Or put a puppet of one of your characters in front of your face. See, all you do is print it out, cut around it, and tape it to a popsicle stick, and then you wag it at the camera as +EcoSnark screams "I DO NOT LOOK LIKE ANGRY ELLEN DEGENERES GAHHHHH!" Only with more swearing, because it's +EcoSnark.
+Kimberly Chapman Is it weird that I'm so scared of doing it? I don't even know why!! I like everyone here! I think it's just nerves! But I really DO think it would be fun to talk to everyone!
Especially cause you're all so freaking AWESOME!!!!
Not weird at all, +Mar Mai. Lots of people feel that way, but we can make it comfortable for you & safe. You will love it!
1) Not weird at all. Lots of people get nervous about blending real life and online personas.
2) You're the one we're all celebrating as awesome here, silly.
3) I'm the one with a puppet of a fake person who lives in my head and yet has her own Twitter, blog, and G+ page. You are so not the weird one I promise.
+Kimberly Chapman +Jake Kern GLOMPG!!! Glomp glmp!!!
Okay! I'll talk to +Mary C. and get her to beat my nerves out of me then!! Cause you guys are so awesome!!! Please be patient with me as I get myself ready for it though!!
You can tell I'm being patient because I mentioned +EcoSnark and yet kept her out of the conversation so as not to intimidate you.
You're welcome. 🙂
+Mar Mai To be perfectly honest I've never done a hangout either <.< So, you are not that weird! Alternatively, you're just as weird as me… but then, I am pretty weird so that may not be the best analogy >.>
+Kimberly Chapman AHH! +Mary C. just told me about +EcoSnark last night!! She was filling me in on all the "happen's" XD
Now following the +EcoSnark!! Teehee! And YES! Thank you so much for understanding!
+Chris Mallory YAY! I'm not alone in the hangout verse-ness!! We can be weird together!! But, if I'm going in I hope you go in with me!!
+Mar Mai That is the plan! 😀
And I solemnly promise not to put your real head in a jar without permission.
Hmm. Lack of context makes me chuckle mightily.
+Chris Mallory YAYAYAY!!!
+Scott Cramer Heads in a JAR! I forgots!!! XD Oh nooooeoooOOooo!! Teehehehehheheehhe!!
And lack of context is always fun!! 😀
I actually don't think I've been jarred yet…
+Kimberly Chapman I'm not alone!! 😀 hehehehehhe!!!!
Scott haz my head in a jar on his desk. It's getting dusty and Vader keeps bobbing his head at me. *sniff
You guise scare me sometimes o.o
+Kyla Myers Gasp!! We should embark on an epic quest to sneak into Scott's office and get your head back!! 😉
Only sometimes +Chris Mallory? Because I can actually let +EcoSnark off her leash and fix that to always…
Or I could mention that I do have one of these in the living room…as in, this precise model… http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/118/a/1/alien_baby_in_jar_by_aimee_valentine-d4xtgig.jpg
Oh my goodness!!!!! +Kimberly Chapman is that reference for a story by any chance or just awesomeness??? SLDKJFKLDFSJ
+Kimberly Chapman No. Words. O_o Awesome! Ok, one word. 😉
Heads in office on lockdown!
HEhehehe!!!! Your office is not safe +Scott Cramer ! We have +Chris Mallory who just happens to have a special elixir to make him small enough to get under the door! And +Kimberly Chapman is an expert at picking locks! EHehhehe!! As for +Kyla Myers! She will distract you with pudding cake!! 😀
+Mar Mai But, there's a flaw in your plan! Because I predict that +Kyla Myers's pudding cake will distract me from doing the required job as well <.<
+Chris Mallory we'll get you a gas mask and put +Dirk Reul's cheesecake in it!!
+Mar Mai I'm confused…are you asking if +EcoSnark is a story reference? Because yes, she's Trish from "Finding Gaia".
The alien baby in a jar is a thing I found in my misspent youth in some joke shop or other. It's in the cabinet in the living room. It also happens to be clearly female.
Oh and I'm not the lock pick expert. That'd be Peo, because of exposure to this in toddlerhood at a play center: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Latches-Board/dp/B000NVBE1A
OMFG +Kimberly Chapman there are people in here talking about gas masks and putting some guy's "cheesecake" in it and you're not letting me comment?!! YOU ARE SO CRUEL WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!
HEhehe!!! +Kimberly Chapman oops!! I'm sorry! I meant to ask if the Alien in a Jar was reference for a future alien story you've been writing!!
But +EcoSnark is TRISH?? Awesome!!!!
Nah, no plans for an alien story. Well they've got alien dogs in the Colony books but no, no reference there.
So.. I just went and plussed every comment, because I <3 you guys so much. Also, because I am envious that this was my first sleep through for months and I could not play along! <_<
If would be so amazing to hangout with you +Mar Mai 🙂 You can always turn off the camera if you have another microphone, that is no a problem at all. Or cover the camera. We won't bite. Well, maybe +EcoSnark (Trish) will.. <_<
+Dirk Reul, no promises about. +Fluffy McSharkah Khan not biting either.
+Halfdan Reschat .. true but I was trying to hide that. I could always bring some sheep for +Fluffy McSharkah Khan though. You know, to play with.
You all know that +Fluffy McSharkah Khan and +EcoSnark are pals now, right?
When did that pairing happen? O_O
+Dirk Reul When +EcoSnark asked +Lilith Dark and +Fluffy McSharkah Khan to join her in forming a cabal of G+ characters the other day. Yesterday, maybe, I'm tired and losing track. They're still waiting to hear back from +Lilith Dark, ahem, +Charles Dowd.
… we are doomed
>:D
Or, y'know, +Dirk Reul, you could just make sure you're in good with the cabal early. We're nice to those we wuv.
.. now it all makes sense. Your cookies of world domination, Kim ….
… <_<
Really? Let just say, hypothetically, what would that entail?
I hope you all have fun doing these things in your cabal, but Dirk's comments about "cookies of world domination" interest me most. Could you send a few this way?
Ooh, a cabal that has cookies of world domination…I want in! Are those cookies chocolate chip?
We will all have to wait until +Kimberly Chapman releases her recipe I am afraid
I'm so behind on the hangouts. My sleep has been all screwed up. Bleh
I know that feeling. No rush, I mean I am usually half a day or ahead or behind everyone any way 🙂
+Tracy Holmes +Dirk Reul nod. For me it's my job and the time difference of some of you…
(^•+•^)
I'm almost at a loss for words after reading this, +Scott Cramer!
Thank you so much Scott!! ^_^ And gosh everyone in the comments here… it was SO much fun to read through this. (I was catching up on my sleeps after hearing Mass. My body said "sleepy times" after spending the wee hours o' the morning you guys! So much fun, but yes… a viking needs her Zzz's!)
As for seeing the progress… I think that could be… arranged. I love to drool over other artists before and after works. You learn so much of the mind of the artist, a deeper peak into their soul so to speak. 🙂
A puppet hangout would be most excellent… mosssst excellent indeeeed hehehehe
I doth remember that Dirk and Scott enjoyed the evil gleam in my eyes and voice when that idea sprung up in the hangout.
hehe >]
Yes, the World Domination Cookies are Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Chocolate RULEZ!
+Mary C. We all love the evil gleam in your eye all of the time. >:D
There is also lots of it, Mary 😛
+Kimberly Chapman hehehehehehe why sank yew! >D
Lots of chocolate Dirk?
Evil gleam, Mary. Evil gleam 😛
Ooooh (my blonde streak is showing) I got chocolate on the brain right now. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! =d
Yes… yessssssss… the evil gleam! Muahahahahhaha (strokes beard)
and chocolate.. 😛
reminder to go shopping tomorrow for you know what
O.O
8D jumps up and down all excited nao GAH!!!
I still uhm. could you send me you know what again? I am sure I have kept it but uhm…
Great post there, +Scott Cramer.
I wanted to add that without +G, I would never have discovered gems, such as +Mar Mai and +Mary C. They really are terrific individuals — not just talented, but very sweet, as well. 🙂 I'm grateful to have encountered them.
As for the hangouts, I've been in some. I was terrified, too. The first hangout I joined was an on-air hangout (the one that can be seen by anyone here and on YouTube). I was shaking. 😛 Hee hee hee. It got easier for me, though, as I joined some more of the on-air hangouts and the hangouts that are not on-air (usually, I do the latter as private).
+Carlos Balderas awwww =^___^= thank you Carlos! If it wasn't for G+, I'd never have come to know all you wonderful people. <3
You know what I love about threads like this? It's that every single comment is almost guaranteed to have like at least +5. I can feel the loove 😛 The amount of sheer awesomeness that radiates from each one of you peoples is almost too much to handle.
PLUS ALL THE THINGS!
Just plus'd so many things! Way behind on keeping up with the awesome today. 😉
"PLUS ALL THE THINGS" +Kimberly Chapman YESNESS!!!!
+Carlos Balderas Aww!! I feel exactly the same!! All the awesome, sweet, nice, funny, gorgeous people in the world are here!! 😀 GLOMP!!
Where else can we find people who like Scooby Doo and Stargate SG1 and TMNT, comics, movies, music ect… all in the same place?? Not to mention liking all the geeky things and being about the smartest people on the planet!! Scientists, biologists, programmers, musicians, and professionals of all kinds just being awesome and kind and FUN!! G+ is awesome!!
+Chris Mallory YESums!! Said so perfectly it can't be said better!!
Well written bro.. well deserved +Mar Mai !
I have to admit, I haven't had time to check out the Dragon Tutor yet. Not for lack of +Scott Cramer telling me to. I will def be picking up a copy!
+Keith Cramer Thank you so much!!!!! I'm trying to get ahead of all the notifications but there is so much awesomeness!!!
I hope you enjoy it Keith!! 😀
+Mar Mai Yeah, hee-hee-hee-hee! 😀 G+ is definitely the place to be!
Pretty much a given with +Scott Cramer's review. We tend to have similar interests… (shocker) 🙂
+Carlos Balderas It is!! The awesomeness is outstanding!!!
+Keith Cramer This is GOOD! This is very good!!! 😉
I have MY VERY OWN copy of The Dragon Tutor!! Well.. after Amazon quit yelling at me for ordering it wrong that is.
Reading it now.
+Keith Cramer!!!!!!!! happy DANCING!!
Officially read, and will be read again… because I want to admire the artwork a little more the next time around! Fantastic work, you def have another fan in me!
So… like when is issue # 2 due?
Like maybe you need to stop hanging out here and go get some work done… right??
Yes, it's the curse of G+ writers…as soon as you manage to get readers from it, you have to stop talking to them to get back to writing the stuff they're being nice to you about…
+Kimberly Chapman I fear that it may have worked… she stopped posting suddenly. Either she saw my post and immediately started penning issue # 2, or she decided I wasn't worth talking to anymore, or she fell asleep!
🙂
No she just went about her glompery elsewhere. ;D
Sorry!!! I had to help my brother make a decision on a present!!! What'd I miss!! goes to read comment thread
Hehehe!! read up XD
Funny thing, the actual writing of the books is easy. I wrote the entire Dragon Tutor in two weeks. It was the inking and coloring that takes forever!! Nine months O.o
We're changing things up for the next volume! Hopefully to be out pretty soon…. I can't say exactly when yet… But SOon!
+Mar Mai, so exited!
You made it back in time for me to say goodnight! I just woke up drooling on my computer. Since my broken power cord is actually starting to spark, I'm thinking that continuing to try and stay awake may be dangerous to my health. Good night ya'll.
YAYAY!! So glad you liked it +Keith Cramer!! A re-read!! This is awesome!!! Goodnight! And thank you! GLOMP!!!
+Halfdan Reschat YAYAY!! Gonna have to give you a giant HUG!! Teeheheheh!!! Doing a lot of glomping today!! XD
+Mar Mai Kinda thought that might be the tricksy bit.. All that art stuff! 🙂
When I get started on a project I go 100%
It's hard to stop actually! XD
I would draw right through to dawn… the birds kept annoying me by chirping at 6 AM! TEeheheheh!! Moo hahahah!! XD
🙂 Moo hahaha! Your fans are waiting! 🙂
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Yeah I know that feeling. For my first novel, I once got up at 7 am on a weekend and started writing at my computer (and back then I wrote my books in Notepad on a Win3.1 machine). Awhile later my boyfriend tapped my shoulder – a dangerous act when I'm writing – and said, "Have you eaten yet? It's nearly eight."
I said, "I know, I know, I'll eat breakfast soon."
He said, "No, almost eight PM."
All of a sudden reality caught up with me and my bladder nearly exploded. I was shaking, starving, and running for the loo.
Now I try to be a bit more sensible in my writing modes… 😀
Oh my goodness +Kimberly Chapman!! That sounds familiar! XD
It's amazing how quickly we become attached to the worlds and characters that roam around in our heads… how they become part of our families and really seem to be alive! They tell us what to write and how they want to be portrayed… if ever I write a scene and it's not correct I suddenly seem unable to finish drawing. Almost like one of the characters is kicking me in the shins because I've gone the wrong way!! XD
I've learned to listen to that inner voice kicking my shins!! 😀
Funny, I'm studiously ignoring one of the voices in my head right now.
How's that working out for you, +Kimberly Chapman?
About that well.
+Kimberly Chapman I have your book in queue. I am rubbish at doing anything on time!
+Keith Cramer Remember to write a review! I think a one-to-one ratio of customers and reviews would be such an awesome achievement. 😉
I'll be sure to add one…it'll prob be this weekend or so.