Gabriella E. Mari
Born in 1992 in Illinois, Gem originally wanted to become a Storm Chaser before settling on writing. Coming up with stories since the age of 10, she first cut her teeth on fan fiction, gaining quite a following for her unique takes and overall ability to create believable characters and scenarios.
Studying Creative Writing at university and gaining both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, she works on exclusively original content these days. As a bi author, her main genres are a mix of gay (male) romance, fantasy, and reality, presented with a good dose of wit and layered, sometimes darker-than-expected, plot lines.
In her spare time she often battles Nyko in Mario Kart, or can be found watching documentaries or films.
EDUCATION & PUBLICATIONS
2022
First novel Our Darkest Hour is published on October 13th (available on Amazon)
2019
Master of Fine Arts in Writing, Lindenwood University
2015
Bachelor of Arts in Writing, DePauw University - graduated Cum Laude
2014
Queen Mary, University of London (study abroad January-June)
Nykolai Aleksander
Born in Germany in 1978 and originally studying Music and Theatre at Hurtwood House in England, Nykolai came to painting in her early twenties. Completely self-taught, she quickly switched from traditional media to a Wacom tablet and Photoshop, finding the digital workflow more intuitive and open to experimentation.
She’s worked for both private and commercial clients, among others Imagine Publishing, 3Dtotal, Bastei Lübbe, Future Publishing, and Giunti Editore.
Publications include titles such as Digital Art Masters and Digital Painting Techniques by 3Dtotal, as well as various Exposé and Exotique volumes by Ballistic. She has also contributed numerous articles to magazines such as 2Dartist, Advanced Photoshop (English, German, Dutch & French editions), and ImagineFX.
An avid history nerd and sometimes gamer, she tends to spend her free time binge watching documentaries or playing Mario Kart against Gem on her Nintendo Switch.
AWARDS & NOTABLE APPEARANCES
2018
Digital Art Factory - Group Exhibition, Palazzo Velli, Rome (Italy)
2016
International All Media Competition - Winner (Digital Category), The Artist's Magazine
2012
Stellar Art Award, Digital Arts California
One of 25 artists in the Who is Who Advanced Photoshop yearbook (Germany)
Co-author of the first edition of Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop published by 3Dtotal (available on Amazon)
2010
Guest Judge for Digital Art Masters - Volume 6 - 3Dtotal Publishing
2009
3Dtotal Excellence Award
CG Excellence Award Nomination at CG Overdrive (Singapore)
2007
CG Society Choice Award
2006
Cover of Exposé 5 - The Finest Digital Art in the Known Universe - Ballistic Publishing