News and updates about the artwork of Greg CRAOLA Simkins, including gallery exhibits, events and new releases.
Tagged with: CRAOLA
*Offer expires at midnight on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
*Offer expires at midnight on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
Bags and Friends
27" x 18"
Acrylic on canvas, framed
Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins, 2017
INQUIRE
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.
Another great Valentine's Day gift idea! Limited edition leggings by CRAOLA X NUVANGO.
Get 20% off anything from the CRAOLA Collection when you use code CRAOLA20 at checkout until Feb. 7th, 2017! @Nuvango #Nuvango #NuvangoStyle #NuvangoXCraola
A limited edition of 75 pairs
4 way stretch for the ultimate comfort
Moisture transport system wicks sweat to keep you cool and dry
80/20 poly-elastane blend
Garment runs true to size
Machine wash cold, hang dry
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
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.
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!
Check out this months' issue of American Art Collector Magazine for an interview coverage of Greg "CRAOLA" Simkins' upcoming exhibit Where Am I? at KP Projects/MKG (Merry Karnowsky Gallery).
Prints on Wood brings an art filled booth to Air + Style 2015 featuring live paintings from Craola, Jeff Soto, James Haunt, Johnny KMNDZ Rodriquez, and Luke Chueh. Music provided by Citizen Cope. Video Created by Jordan Ahern.
Video by Jordan Ahern
I had the pleasure of painting the Container Yard with my buddy and crew members Self and Lyte a couple weeks ago. Big thanks to Jordan Ahern for capturing the day and making this video and to Landon Taylor for taking the pics! Happy New Year!
