APPOART

“As our imagination takes over, we tend to leave what is ordinary and go outside of ourselves to visit these places”

Greg “Craola” Simkins is an American artist born on February 28, 1975, in Torrance, California. He is known for his work in painting, drawing, and graffiti, and is associated with the Pop Surrealism movement. Here are some key points about his life and career:
Simkins grew up with a variety of animals, including rabbits, which often appear in his paintings. He earned his B.A. in Studio Art from California State University, Long Beach in 1999. After graduating, Simkins worked as an illustrator for several clothing firms before moving to the video game industry, where he worked on games for Treyarch/Activision. He made the leap to full-time artist in 2005.

Artistic style:

Simkins’ style is characterized by his use of smooth, graffiti-inspired gradients and balanced layouts that draw the eye through story lines and little vignettes. His work often features animals in unlikely camaraderies and conflicts, blending the fantastical with the real. Simkins’ paintings are characterized by their intricate, dreamlike compositions that blend realistic elements with surreal, fantastical imagery. He often depicts anthropomorphized animals and hybrid creatures engaged in mysterious, sometimes unsettling interactions.
The artist’s technical mastery is evident in his smooth gradients, balanced layouts, and attention to detail. His work has been described as having a cinematic quality, with each painting telling a compelling visual story.
Many of Simkins’ paintings explore themes of the subconscious, the natural world, and the human condition. His work frequently features motifs of duality, transformation, and the coexistence of opposing forces, such as light and dark, order and chaos.

Most important works:

“The Pearl Thief”
Description: This painting showcases Simkins’ ability to combine disparate elements in a single composition. It features a rabbit thief stealing a pearl from a sea creature, blending elements of fantasy and reality.
Significance: This work highlights Simkins’ skill in creating intricate, detailed compositions that engage the viewer.

“In Sleep”
Description: This painting depicts a fantastical scene where a rabbit is sleeping amidst a dreamlike landscape, blending elements of fantasy and reality.
Significance: This work showcases Simkins’ ability to create dreamlike scenarios that evoke a sense of wonder and imagination.

“Finding Home”
Description: This painting features a rabbit searching for a home amidst a fantastical landscape, blending elements of fantasy and reality.
Significance: This work highlights Simkins’ ability to create narratives that explore themes of loss and redemption.

Exhibitions:

Greg “Craola” Simkins has had numerous exhibitions throughout his career. Here are some notable ones:

Suggestivism at Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana:
This exhibition showcased Simkins’ unique blend of graffiti and fine art, featuring intricate, dreamlike compositions that blend realistic elements with surreal and fantastical imagery.

Family Guy! at the Los Angeles Museum of TV & Radio:
This exhibition highlighted Simkins’ ability to combine disparate elements in a single composition, creating a sense of wonder and imagination.

Street Cred at the Pasadena Museum of California Art:
This exhibition featured Simkins’ work that blended graffiti and fine art, showcasing his technical mastery and ability to tell compelling visual stories.

Visionary Art at Mondo Bizzarro Gallery in Rome:
This exhibition showcased Simkins’ surreal and fantastical paintings that blend elements of Disney, Salvador Dali, and the Old Masters.

Art from the New World at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery in Bristol, England:
This exhibition featured Simkins’ work that explores themes of the subconscious, the natural world, and the human condition.

Sons of Baby Tattooville at the Riverside Art Museum:
This exhibition highlighted Simkins’ ability to create narratives that explore themes of loss and redemption.

MasterWorks: Defining A New Narrative at the Long Beach Museum of Art:
This exhibition showcased Simkins’ unique ability to combine disparate elements in a single composition, creating a sense of wonder and imagination.

These exhibitions demonstrate Simkins’ versatility and ability to blend different artistic styles and themes in a single composition, creating a unique visual language that engages the viewer.

Unfortunately there isn’t any exhibition scheduled in 2024 for this artist but you can check this link to stay in tune: https://gregsimkinsart.com/