New painting: "The Mischief Makers"

"The Mischief Makers"
24" x 24"
Acrylic on panel
SOLD

Watch the process video:

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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.

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"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

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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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WATCH THE PAINTING PROCESS

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

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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

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