News and updates about the artwork of Greg CRAOLA Simkins, including gallery exhibits, events and new releases.
Simkins has teamed up with Yesterdays.co to create three new collectible nickel plated lapel pins featuring Stabby, Stabby Spray and the I'M SCARED logo.
We are also excited to have our new Stabby shirts by To Die For available at a special pre-order price of $24.99 for a limited time only.
Special pre-order price ends on April 24, 2016.
Orders ship May 1, 2016.
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
In our Best Of The Web series we chat to creative talent from all over the world, gaining tips on fashion and style from designers, journalists, musicians and more. This week we’re with artist Greg “Craola” Simkins, whose gained world wide esteem with his majestic artwork.
Inspired by everything from videos games to graffiti, Greg’s intricate and mystic artwork combines familiar images of our childhood story books with twisted and sometimes sinister additions. Hands hide locks into underwater mazes, birds carry serpents with glowing eyes to unknown lands, and steampunk style worlds rage battle against one another.
We’re not the only ones impressed with his unique style, and Greg’s had a success artistic career, working with various companies and bands as an illustrator, and having his work displayed in countless museums around the world. We caught up with him to hear what he’s been up to recently and his views on men’s fashion and style. Read the full interview here.
Photo by Brent Broza
A perfect gift for Valentine's Day - beautiful to wear and incredibly soft scarf with "Passing Notes" artwork by Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins.
This limited edition scarf is made in England, using a fabric that is knitted especially for us. They are a giant 140cm x 140cm that can be worn in a number of ways.
Each scarf is sequentially numbered, each design is a very small edition size of just 66. Available at This Is A Limited Edition.
"Time Will Tell", 20 x 16" Acrylic on Canvas, Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins
The beinArt Surreal Art Show 2016 will be the 5th beinArt Collective group exhibition at CoproGallery, curated by Jon Beinart. This exhibition will showcase new work by over 55 artists. All participating artists have been selected for their exceptional technique and shared fascination for surreal and imaginative themes.
Saturday, February 20th from 8-11:30pm
(exhibit runs until March 12th)
at
CoproGallery
2525 Michigan Ave. T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
1-310-829-2156
Email copronason@msn.com
Participating artists: Greg “Craola” Simkins, Martin Wittfooth, Travis Louie, David Stoupakis, Josh Keyes, Esao Andrews, Jana Brike, Casey Weldon, Chris Mars, Chet Zar, Redd Walitzki, Dan May, Henrik Aa. Uldalen, Marco Mazzoni, Hannah Faith Yata, F. Scott Hess, Matt Dangler, John Brosio, Naoto Hattori, Brian Viveros, Scott Scheidly, Peter Gric, Cam de Leon, John Brophy, Jean Labourdette, Pamela Wilson, Scott G. Brooks, Jason Limon, Christopher Ulrich, Kikyz1313, Jon Jaylo, Tomasz Alen Kopera, Heidi Taillefer, Chris Peters, Matthew J. Levin, Carrie Ann Baade, Jeremy Enecio, Jeff Jacobson, Sandra Yagi, Barnaby Whitfield, Sarina Brewer, Maria Teicher, Erik Thor Sandberg, Brendan Danielsson, Jeff Christensen, Alexandra Manukyan, R. Freymuth-Frazier, Eddy Stevens, Chris Leib, Steven Kenny, Jonathan Payne, Greg Brotherton, Robert Steven Connett, Jonathan Bergeron, José Luis López Galván & Mark Gleason
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.
Check out our new screen printed patch set by CRAOLA, produced by To Die For! Available at imscared.com.
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
For those who need structure but crave adventure, the scuba pencil skirt will please your inner artist and fashionista. This luxurious number can be paired with a crop, blouse or baggy tee to transition from office to event.
Stand out in a sea of black with our bold and beautiful Queen West Leggings. Comfort and fashion have finally come together and the results are fabulous. Classroom to club, boardroom to boardwalk, you can rock these with confidence wherever life takes you.
We are excited to announce new KIDS TEES featuring the artwork of Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins, produced by To Die For ! Click here for more info.
Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins has collaborated with Denik and Juxtapoz Magazine to create two limited edition notebooks featuring his artwork titled "Finding Home". Pick up a 5x8 notebook to doodle or write your random, witty thoughts in. Or snatch one of these gorgeous 8x10 spiral sketchbooks to create masterpieces on the inside as great as the one on the cover.
Help these journals find a home and purchase one for yourself and everyone you know while supplies last! Once these babies are gone, they are gone for good!
Hang up your little black dress and slip into an exceptional work of art. Designed meticulously inside and out, this structured body-contouring scuba dress will hug you in all the right places.
