8/31/09

Artist Spotlight: Marianne Gilliand

Yesterday I posted about a fantastic new shop by Marianne Gilliand, the Girly Girls Club, in which she honored me with one of her anime creations based on my likeness. Today, I want to take a moment to let you know more about this wonderfully talented person.

From lighthearted and sugary sweet to dark, looming and melancholy and everything in between, digital artist, Marianne Gilliand covers the spectrum in her wonderful collection of works.

Marianne is a very talented and diversified digital artist specializing in 3D CGI Graphics. Her primary focus is as a gothic artist where she uses a number of 3D software applications to create her amazing works. Her 3D CGI art also features a variety of styles and genres including fantasy, dark, horror, fashion and on occasion, landscape.



You can find this awesome work on a variety of products including art posters, postcards, greeting cards, mousepads, magnets, stickers, postage, mugs, t-shirts and so much more at her Dark Dreams Gothic Artwork shop. Below is a small sampling of her Gothic Art Posters.

What Is Left Of Me Gothic Art Poster
What's left after everyone has ripped apart your soul, something less than complete, something metallic and hollow almost machine.
What Is Left Of Me Gothic Art Marianne Gilliand print


Gothic Eve Art Poster
My version, knowledge is good—Eve keeps the apple, Adam picks his own.
Gothic Eve Art print



When The Rain Comes Gothic Art Poster
When The Rain Comes, no one will know I am crying.
When The Rain Comes Gothic Art Poster print


In addition to her remarkable talents as a 3D CGI artisit, Marianne is also talented in 2D graphics. Her 2D styles also vary in genre and include cartoon, kawaii, chibi and anime to name a few. It seems that Marianne can pick up on just about any style she sets out to. Marianne is a completely self-taught artist and it takes a real talent to master the various forms of digital artwork that Marianne creates. Below is a fun sampling of some of Marianne's other creations available in her shops on a variety of products including t-shirts, bags, greeting cards, stickers postage, keds shoes, mugs, magnets, keychains and more.

Super Anime Birthday Card from Mega Kawaii
Super Anime Birthday Card card


Chibi Girl Pool Party Postcard from Mega Kawaii
Chibi Girl Pool Party Postcard postcard


Evil Cute Cupcake of Death Stickers from Mega Kawaii
Evil Cute Kawaii Cupcake Of Death Stickers sticker


Pink Heart Hot Air Balloon T-Shirt from Marianne.Gilliand.Catalog
Pink Heart Hot Air Balloon T-Shirt shirt


Craft Style Pink Thank You Card from Marianne.Gilliand.Catalog
Craft Style Pink Thank You Card card


Originally born in rural upstate Michigan, Marianne has traveled extensively with her husband, a career military man. Marianne currently resides in the Southwest United States. Halloween is Marianne's favorite holiday and she has recently completed the creation of a Halloween Party website that is a one stop shop for your Halloween party needs.

With such a variety of styles in her repertoire, there's something to please everyone in Marianne's art and shops. To view and purchase artwork by Marianne Gilliand, please visit her shops as listed below:

Dark Dreams Gothic Artwork
If there were no darkness, there would be no light. Everything must be in balance. Sometimes you have to be sad, otherwise you would not appreciate joy. That is the motivation behind The Dark Dreams Gothic Artwork Store.

Mega Kawaii
Original Kawaii, Chibi,Kokeshi and Anime merchandise. Clothing, stickers, birthday cards all the way down to Keds™ Shoes.

Marianne.Gilliand.Catalog
Fun and unique products for people who are individuals.

Girly Girls Club
All things Pretty, Pink and Girly! The only place to find genuine Girly Girls Club merchandise.

New Arrivals Baby Announcements
Pretty Postage Catalog
All Organic Apparel
Just Stickers
Twisted Words T-Shirts
Designer Keds
Zombie Decks Custom Skate Shop
Rune Tree Tavern RPG Fantasy Art


Marianne also co-owns these shops with her husband:
Vintage Gift Shop
Gilliand Photo

8/30/09

I Am Honored In Cuteness!

My fabulous friend and multi-talented and diversified digital artist, Marianne Gilliand, recently opened a fun new shop called Girly Girls Club where she will feature her girly anime character creations. It's absolutely adorable and filled with all things pretty, pink and girly.

Marianne is still moving in, but what she already has in the shop is so darling, we just had to post about it. She also created a character based on me and I love it so much I just had to share.



Click here or on any of the images below to visit the Girly Girls Club!


Her first creation was Girly Girl Marianne, which is super adorable. Girly Girl Marianne is a sweet but sassy girl. She enjoys coloring her hair pink and eating cotton candy. Her favorite hobby is drawing pink skulls on everything.

Girly Girl Marianne Party T-Shirt shirt


It's party time in pretty pink hair and a sassy attitude, that's Girly Girls Club Marianne! Select from many styles of shirts.



Girly Girl Marianne Party Mousepad mousepad


Add some girly girl attitude to your office decor with this sassy yet sweet Girly Girls Club Marianne Mousepad.



Girly Girl Marianne Fashion Button button


Just a cute and fun Girly Girl Marianne button badge.


Her second creation is Girly Girl Debbie and is based on me! LOL! I am so honored and touched by this. I love it so much. Thank you, Marianne! Girly Girl Debbie is a beautiful and talented person who loves animals. She is a vegetarian and has dark brown hair with purple stripes, hazel eyes and likes to dress in fun anime style clothes!

Girly Girl Debbie Party T-Shirt shirt


Girly Girl Debbie Custom Mousepad mousepad


Girly Girl Debbie Party Tote Bag bag



If you have little girls (and big girls too!) on your gift giving list that love all things pretty, pink and girly, then the Girly Girls Club is a definite must for your holiday shopping needs.

8/10/09

Ansel Adams Photography

In 1963, Ansel Adams and Nancy Newhall were commissioned to produce a book to commemorate the centennial celebration of the University of California campuses and its many research field stations (McGraw Hill Book Company, 1967). The UCR/California Museum of Photography store on Zazzle.com currently offers 69 images from this collection from which high-end reproductions can be purchased. Proceeds help support the museum programs and collections.

Vineyard and Hills, Draper Vineyard, 1966 print

Photograph by Ansel Adams, made for the centennial of the University of California.
Made from scan of original negative [1987.0027.4.UCEXT.16] in the collection of UCR/California Museum of Photography. Sweeney/Rubin Ansel Adams Fiat Lux Collection UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside.

Oak Trees at Hopland Station, May 1966 print

Photograph by Ansel Adams, made for the centennial of the University of California.
Made from scan of original negative [1987.0027.4.UC.18] in the collection of UCR/California Museum of Photography. Sweeney/Rubin Ansel Adams Fiat Lux Collection UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside.

Surf, Rocks, and Foam Lines Near Bodega Station print

Photograph by Ansel Adams, made for the centennial of the University of California.
Made from scan of original negative [1987.0027.4.UC.15] in the collection of UCR/California Museum of Photography. Sweeney/Rubin Ansel Adams Fiat Lux Collection UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside.


I have always been a fan of the work of Ansel Adams and have several reproduction prints of his photography throughout my house. I love seeing his work available through Zazzle.com as I know the print quality is amazing.

I recently purchased one of my photographs of the California Coastline that I had made into a poster and was extremely impressed with the print job. I'm so proud of the photograph and so pleased with Zazzle's printing. I now have a gorgeous piece of my own artwork hanging in my living room, but I can have the utmost confidence that when someone purchases something from my shop, The Spotted Olive™, they will be pleased. Thanks Zazzle!

To purchase a copy of this print, please click here.

8/7/09

Something Cool: The Operation Nice Blog

I wanted to share something very cool that I discovered recently. It is the Operation Nice blog. It's run by a wonderfully spirited as well as talented young woman named Melissa. She believes that kindness can change the world and has made it her mission to spread the concept of being nice. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Melissa!




We have always prided ourselves on being nice and doing those little random acts of kindness (really just common courtesy, which doesn't seem to be all that common any more) like holding open a door, offering to help someone carry something, waving someone through in traffic and always saying "Please" and "Thank You". These are things we personally do without thought. But, there is so much more we can do and none of it really takes more time or effort than being indifferent. Melissa's blog features "Nice" assignments, sharing "Nice" news, "Nice" testimonials and so much more to inspire you to bring back the spirit of neighborliness and benevolence. Melissa even has giveaways with fabulous prizes for niceness. Be warned, reading some of the posts on this blog may bring a tear to your eye as you begin to realize just how rare thoughtfulness and a random act of kindness can be these days.

Just when you feel like giving up on people, the universe puts something like this in your path so you discover that there still are genuine, kind and caring people out there. The Operation Nice blog has given me a renewed sense of kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. Thank you Melissa for your brilliant blog and contribution to making the world a much nicer place.

I highly recommend you visit and subscribe to this blog: www.operationnice.com.

8/6/09

Back To School Sale On Canvas Tote Bags!

Now through August 10th, you can save 20% on canvas tote bags. These great and spacious canvas tote bags make the perfect book bag and can be easily customized with a name or other text. Use code: BTS40OFFSALE at checkout.

Famous Bag (Pink) bag

Famous by The Spotted Olive™. A bold fun graphic featuring a guitar on a pink background with swirls, a skull and crossbones, girl in stripes, star, circles, musical notes and the word FAMOUS. Available in a variety of graphic colors and different bag choices.

Konnichiwa-Little Pinkie Bag bag

Little Pinkie by The Spotted Olive™. This cute kawaii inspired design features Pinkie—a happy little critter—saying the Japanese greeting Konnichiwa. Customize with name or other text.

Kawaii Cupcake Friends Tote Bag bag


Kawaii Cupcake Friends by Marianne Gilliand Catalog. Uber cute and sweet Kawaii Tote bag holds a ton and can be used for a book bag, purse or sleep over bag!

I Love My Little Ghettoblaster Bag bag

I Love My Little Ghettoblaster by The Spotted Olive™. An 80s throwback! This fun, funky design features a retro boom box graphic! Portable music before the ipod! Totally cool.

Pink Heart Hot Air Balloon Tote Bag bag

Pink Heart Hot Air Ballon by Marianne Gilliand Catalog Pink Heart Hot Air Balloon design is super cute and fun for any age of balloonist!

To shop more canvas tote bags, click here.

20% of the net bag sale price will be deducted when the coupon code BTS40OFFSALE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from August 3, 2009 through August 10, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only and is not valid on Smilestore.com, Zazzle.co.uk, Zazzle.com.au or Zazzle.ca orders.

8/5/09

Big Sale! Save 40% on Skateboards!

Wow! Skateboards are a whopping 40% now through August 10th! Choose from a variety of cool custom board designs. Quality boards with hard-rock maple decks with independent trucks and Ricta wheels.

Famous Skateboard skateboard


acid grunge skateboard deck skateboard


Star Wars Movie Poster Skateboard skateboard


Rebel Rebel Punk Plaid-Green Skull Skateboard skateboard


Little Pinkie Skateboard skateboard


i love nerds skateboard skateboard


To shop more skateboards now, click here.

40% of the net skateboard sale price will be deducted when the coupon code BTS40OFFSALE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from August 3, 2009 through August 10, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only and is not valid on Smilestore.com, Zazzle.co.uk, Zazzle.com.au or Zazzle.ca orders.

8/4/09

Lollipop! Lollipop!

We all know and love the cuteness and sugary sweetness of lollipops! Known by a variety of names such as pop, lolly, sucker or sticky-pop, this delightful hard candy on a stick comes in a wide variety of shapes, colors and flavors. From brightly colored to psychedelic swirls, the appeal of lollipops is universal.

According to Lollies Galore, the first hard candy on a stick was made by American candy maker George Smith in 1908. He named this confectionery treat after his horse, Lolly Pop. The name was the exclusive property of Smith until her stopped making the candies during the depression. The name is now in the public domain.

Besides being a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth, lollipops are a fun way to decorate for parties and events! With their fun shapes and bright colors, you can create candy bouquets, table centerpieces or give them as favors to your guests.

In 1958, the singing group, The Chordettes, had a hit with their cover of the song "Lollipop" written by Beverly Ross and Julius Dixson.

And did you know the lollipop even has it's own holiday! That's right, July 20th has been deemed as National Lollipop Day.

Kawaii Suckers tank top by The Spotted Olive™


sucker! Bag bag

8/3/09

A Little Remodeling!

We just gave ourselves a mini-makeover at The Spotted Olive™. We've revamped our storefront and added a section on our coordinating business stationery offerings and our custom design services. Stop by for a visit! http://www.zazzle.com/thespottedolive*