New Print: "Bags and Friends"

BAGS AND FRIENDS

21" x 14" image size / 24" x 17" paper size
Giclee on Elegance 320g Cotton Rag
Edition of 50 (+5 Artist Proofs)
Hand Signed & Numbered
Includes Certificate of Authenticity
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"Bags was once best friends with Peter the fox before he disappeared and became the Pearl Thief. Bags is always looking for his lost friend and leaves their mark of 'The Briars" everywhere he goes... "
             
-Greg 'CRAOLA' Simkins

Meet "Bags and Friends"...

Bags and Friends
27" x 18"
Acrylic on canvas, framed
Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins, 2017
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Years ago I created a character called "The Pearl Thief". He was a pointed mask and cloak wearing fiend who did the evil bidding of Jacob, "The Night Knight" in our world and in "The Outside".

Over the years, The Pearl Thief took on a persona and I discovered that Peter was his name. Like in many of my paintings, stories began bouncing through may head. I developed a fondness for a particular fox and created a back story for him, which involves a group of rascals who call themselves "Briars". They harass evil overlords and what not (much like Robin Hood and Little John) and left their mark of the Briars everywhere they went.

Well, Bags is Peter's best friend in all the mischief-making. He is a rabbit-like creature who wears masks made up of old bags to cover his scars given to him by a large wolf. A wolf that Peter in turn beats in a match known as "Peter and the Wolves". I believe that it will be Bags who introduces Ralf to the ways of "The Outside" once he returns. Bags is always on the search for his lost friend Peter, and has no idea that it is him who now works for the evil "Night Knight" in the tower. - Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins

"Bags and Friends" will be on display for the Crime on Canvas group exhibition at the Western Hotel (Downtown Las Vegas) as part of the Life is Beautiful Music Festival the weekend of September 22nd - 24th, 2017.

"The Glass Piñata" at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

My painting, "The Glass Piñata" which measures 5 x 3 feet is currently on display at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

"The Glass Piñata" is the result of a couple different story elements coming together into one overall composition. I had been pondering the blissful ignorance of youth, which at times left us vulnerable to the elements and possible dangers that could be veiled as something sweet and desirable. In the background, we see three of our heroic "Scared Scouts" as they have just stumbled upon a piñata hanging from a tree, just over the wall from our world and in "The Outside". Without any concern for their safety, they seek to unleash the treasure from this Piñata made of glass which will inevitably cut their bare feet and hands upon their success. A girl sits on the wall dividing the worlds, wearing a fake smile, the graffiti on the wall beneath her reads "I told you so!".  Perhaps she told them of the dangers of trying to get those toffees and properly put some boots on as an example of the right thing to do, but as boys so often do, they shrugged off her warning to be the first ones to the tree. Take a look at the painting "Shoot The Moon" to see what happens to one of these Scouts.    - Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins

The Glass Piñata

Acrylic on Canvas Wrapped Panel
60” x 36”
Greg "CRAOLA' Simkins, 2016

ALTREALITIES: The Fantastical Worlds & Creatures of Contemporary Artists 

SEPT. 8 - NOV. 26, 2017

A popular theme with artists today is the exploration of alternate universes outside our perception of reality. Like Alice’s journey to Wonderland, these surreal landscapes and the creatures that inhabit them serve as windows into realms that feel familiar but are twisted to reveal new perspectives. AltRealities brings together artists whose work alludes to the possibility of other worlds that exist beyond our own, even if they are only imaginary.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
One East Main St
Mesa, AZ 85201

HOURS:
M-F: 10A-7P
SAT: 10A-5P
SUN: 12P-4P

Black books + Strikers

Years ago, I would spend countless hours writing and drawing in black books. I remember getting my first one when I was 17 and the possibilities were endless. It was also very important to have a good quantity of pencils, sketching markers, colored pencils and pens to make sure the pieces I put in looked sick.  These days, I still keep sketchbooks going, they mostly hold my thoughts as I jot them down messy and quickly in order not to lose them. It’s the idea that I am trying to capture and its funny but the tools are still the same and just as important. These black books prepared me for painting walls and canvases. They prepared me for laying out t-shirt graphics and rock posters. I still look through my old piece books as time capsules to where my head was at in my younger days and compare them with what I am drawing now. I will always value that first book though, it set me onto the path that I am on today.

Photo by Brent Broza
CRAOLA With 2SHAE, 7SEAS, & PLEK
Redondo Beach, CA, 2014

"ALTREALITIES" at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

I'm honored to be amongst such a great group of artists for the upcoming museum exhibition ALTREALITIES: The Fantastical Worlds & Creatures of Contemporary Artists at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Arizona which runs SEPT. 8 - NOV. 26, 2017. 

Season Kick-Off: The Good, The Bad and the Weird!

Friday, Sept 8th, 2017 (6-10pm)

Activities on Mesa Arts Center Campus: 6-10pm

  • Outdoor Concert by El Vez on Alliance Pavilion Stage, 8-10pm
  • Hot Rod and Custom Car Show
  • Food Vendors and Cash Bar
  • And More!

FREE and OPEN to the Public!

FINAL WEEK to view the Heavy Metal 40th Anniversary Exhibit

THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK to view the Heavy Metal 40th Anniversary Group Art Exhibition at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. The exhibition will be on view until Saturday, August 19th.  My painting, "Back Outside" is a snapshot from my ongoing series of works from "The Outside" and pictures our hero, Ralf/The White Knight upon re-entering the world which took his friend, Jacob some time ago. He has made a couple new friends this time to help him on his journey. A bluejay named Breeze, a mischievous rabbit named Bags (who always wears a bag over his head), and a Tiger-like creature named Doc. Together, they look into the book which brought Ralf back to "The Outside". Who is the ominous creature with glowing eyes looking on in the background? Why is he back?

BACK OUTSIDE
24" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas Wrapped Panel, Framed
Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins, 2017
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HEAVY METAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Group Exhibition


On display until Saturday, August 19th
at
Copro Gallery
Bergamot Station Arts Complex
2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5,
Santa Monica , CA 90404

Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday: 1-6pm
(or by appointment)


Contact:
Gary Pressman, Gallery Director
copronason@msn.com or call 310-829-2156
 

ENDS TONIGHT! Get 10% off pins and socks!

Use code BTS10 at checkout

*Expires at 11:59pm on 8/8/17
**Discount does not apply to sock sets, only single pairs

SPECIAL SDCC RELEASE & SIGNING

I'm excited to announce my collaboration with the amazing Gentle Giant Studios and KP Projects. My character, "Lampwick" is being produced as mini bust statue and giclee print set! Why "Lampwick"? I wanted to continue the question asked in my recent No Strings exhibit, which tapped into the loss of ones' conscience and how all bad boys turn to donkeys! "Lampwick" is the perfect foil and exhibits much of the same character quirks as his pal Pinocchio from the original story. I've always been fascinated with this chap and wonder what he went on to do while Pinocchio was off saving Gepetto from Monstro?

LAMPWICK
Limited Edition Giclee Print + Mini Bust Statue Set


Print: 14" x 11" / Mini Bust Statue: 5.8” H x 2.5” W x 3” D
Limited Edition of 50
Hand Signed & Numbered by Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins
$150 for the set

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Simkins will be at the Gentle Giant Studios booth# 3513 at the San Diego Comic Con (tickets required) for the special release and signing of the Lampwick limited edition print and mini bust statue sets on the following days:

Friday, July 21st from 3:30-4:30pm
Saturday, July 22nd from 12:30-1:30pm

FOR OUT OF STATE OR PRE-ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT INFO@KPPROJECTS.NET

Get your "Crimson" edition Stair Monsta signed this Saturday!

This Saturday, June 10th, Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins will be at KP Projects Gallery from 3-5pm for the special release of his Minstrel Remarque giclee print and signing as well as the exclusive release and signing of his "Crimson" edition Stair Monsta figure (from his stop motion short, I'm Scared: The Movie!) (see details below)!

STAIR MONSTA: CRIMSON EDITION
RELEASE & SIGNING

Limited edition of 100
Stands over 10 in. tall, vinyl, window box
$150

SATURDAY, JUNE 10th, 3 - 5 pm

FREE TO THE PUBLIC // ALL AGES // NO RSVP NECESSARY
WATCH VIDEO

FOR OUT OF STATE OR PRE-ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT INFO@KPPROJECTS.NET

Simkins will only be signing the Stair Monsta: Crimson edition & "MINSTREL" giclee at this event.

KP PROJECTS
170 S. LA BREA AVE
LOS ANGELES CA 90036 // 323.933.4408
KPPROJECTS.NET