News and updates about the artwork of Greg CRAOLA Simkins, including gallery exhibits, events and new releases.
Tagged with: FINE ART
I painted this skateboard deck which will be raffled off at IBM's VMworld2018 this weekend at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It will be part of a skateboard art show curated by Curse Mackey. I made a video of the painting process which you can see on my Youtube channel or click below.
"Ride the Wild"
Acrylic on Skateboard Deck
Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins, 2018
*Expires at 11:59pm on 8/8/17
**Discount does not apply to sock sets, only single pairs
2017 marks the Year of the Rooster! We are proud to offer a new open edition fine art giclee:
KP Projects/MKG
170 S. La Brea Avenue
(in the ART 170 Building)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-4408
Exhibition Dates: May 21 - June 18, 2016
Opening Reception, Saturday, May 21st, 7-10pm
RSVP essential to rsvp@kpprojects.net
Gallery Hours: Tuesdsay - Saturday: 12 - 6pm
Beyond Shadows represents a culmination of the diverse influences which drive Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins in his tireless pursuit of Art. From folk tales and back alley graffiti, to the early works of Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney, these influences come together in an intricate storm of kaleidoscopic colors, esoteric scenes, and artfully wrought textures.
Despite their disparate styles, a reverence for graffiti aesthetics, punk rock sensibilities, and formal painting practice all unify Simkins’ new works. His surfaces are meticulously layered and treated to achieve a weathered patina of old paint and tags, sometimes
layered for years. This laborious process coopts the aesthetics of the dilapidated buildings and alleyways that serve as incubators for street based art, and allows Simkins' works to breach the walls between his paintings, his audience, and the outside world.
Rebellious and sharply humorous, Simkins’ paintings overrun the pristine gallery environment with a riot of extraordinary characters. These range from photorealistic blue jays, to exotic flora and fauna hybrids like Yellow, a heavily tattooed lemon-octopus, or Stab E. Mack, a boisterous switchblade character of Simkins’ own creation. In stark contrast to these figurative works, a full exhibition of Simkins newly stripped back ‘Drip Scripts’ paintings that exploit the subliminal forces of shadow, light and monochrome tones for maximum effect, will be concurrently unveiled upstairs at LAUNCH Gallery. Sea foam textures, titanium white and inky black; their planes represent realms entirely divorced from the confines of reality providing a perfect yin-yang to the fantastical world below. It will be Simkins largest exhibition to date.
In the words of the artist, My artistic journey began as a child daydreaming and creating strange realms where anything was possible. It later turned into going on adventures, writing on walls in the shadows of night. What if those walls began to crumble? What would we encounter as we emerge on the other side? Would it be lands full of flying fish, giant birds, and Noble Knights? Would I belong or fit in? Journey with me over the wall as we discover what lies beyond the shadows. - Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins
Greg Simkins was born in 1975 in Torrance, California. At age 3 his early attempts at drawing were inspired by various cartoons and later books such as Watership Down by Richard Adams, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. At the age of 18, Simkins started doing graffiti under the pseudonym “CRAOLA.” Graffiti became his impetus for painting and gave him the confidence to pursue large painterly works.
In 1999 Simkins received his Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art from California State University of Long Beach, and in 2005, after some time working as an illustrator, Simkins pursued his desire to paint full time. He has since been featured in numerous group and sold out solo exhibitions. His art is featured in everything from clothing to video games and toys. His client/collaboration list includes, among others, Disney, Mattel, Juxtapoz, Logitech, Vans, Converse, Electronic Arts (EA), Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Linking Park, Blink-182, Upper Playground, “To Die For Clothing”, and Dark Horse. Simkins’ artwork currently appears in galleries throughout the world.
For More Information, please contact Merry Karnowsky at info@mkgallery.com
Press Contact: Jessica O’Dowd jessica@mkgallery.com
Get FREE SHIPPING (in the US) on the "Stormy Knight" limited edition skateboard by Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins now through December 31, 2015 when you use coupon code CRAOLA at checkout.
Board Overview
- 27.5” Long x 8.25’’ Wide
- Wheelbase 14’’ inches
- 7ply Maple Construction
- Full Board Dip
- Black Dye Cut Grip Tape
- Wheels 60MM 78A
- 5” Matte Black Slant Trucks
- Bushings 90A
- .25” inch Riser Pads
- Abec 5Bearings
About The Board: The “Stormy Knight” model is a mini cruiser shape with a murdered out matte black paint dip, ready to cruise from the streets to the strand.
Custom Hang-Tag: Every board comes with a custom hand-printed, numbered hang-tag, produced on a 2,700 lb. vintage 1915 Chandler & Price Craftsman press; creating a certificate of authenticity for each skateboard.
We are proud to present the CRAOLA COLLECTION at Nuvango! Small runs of each garment will be offered until they sell out. Each piece is numbered and signed, just like a traditional limited edition print run. Visit www.nuvango.com.
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS!
"Safe Haven" Scuba Shell Top
Limited Edition of 75 pieces
$150
"Black Flash" Scuba Pencil Skirt
Limited Edition of 50 pieces
$160
"Black Flash" Scuba Dress
Limited Edition of 50 pieces
$250
"The Messenger" Queen West Leggings
Limited edition of 75 pieces
$100
