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Greg “CRAOLA” Simkins grew up with a menagerie of animals, including a number of rabbits, which often emerge in his paintings. He began drawing at the age of three and was inspired by various cartoons and books that also still find their way into his art, including Watership Down by Richard Adams, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
At the age of 18, Greg started doing graffiti under the name “CRAOLA.” Graffiti art became his impetus for creating and gave him the confidence to paint large works. It taught him perspective and color theory, and further developed his artistic skills, which later translated into his work with acrylics.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in studio art from California State University of Long Beach in 1999, Greg worked as an illustrator for various clothing companies and bands. He later moved on to Treyarch/Activision where he worked on video games such as Tony Hawk 2X, Spiderman 2, and Ultimate Spiderman while also attempting to paint with every free moment he had.
In 2005, Greg pursued his desire to paint as a full-time artist. Since then, he has been featured in numerous group exhibitions and successful sold-out solo exhibitions. The growing popularity and demand for his artwork has gained the recognition of many. His work can be found in a variety of private collections as well as museums and galleries around the world.
It is his careful weaving of pop culture, the old masters, nature, carnival kitsch, and (most importantly) his warped imagination, that makes Greg a sought-after surrealist painter today.
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Greg “CRAOLA” Simkins grew up with a menagerie of animals, including a number of rabbits, which often emerge in his paintings. He began drawing at the age of three and was inspired by various cartoons and books that also still find their way into his art, including Watership Down by Richard Adams, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
At the age of 18, Greg started doing graffiti under the name “CRAOLA.” Graffiti art became his impetus for creating and gave him the confidence to paint large works. It taught him perspective and color theory, and further developed his artistic skills, which later translated into his work with acrylics.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in studio art from California State University of Long Beach in 1999, Greg worked as an illustrator for various clothing companies and bands. He later moved on to Treyarch/Activision where he worked on video games such as Tony Hawk 2X, Spiderman 2, and Ultimate Spiderman while also attempting to paint with every free moment he had.
In 2005, Greg pursued his desire to paint as a full-time artist. Since then, he has been featured in numerous group exhibitions and successful sold-out solo exhibitions. The growing popularity and demand for his artwork has gained the recognition of many. His work can be found in a variety of private collections as well as museums and galleries around the world.
It is his careful weaving of pop culture, the old masters, nature, carnival kitsch, and (most importantly) his warped imagination, that makes Greg a sought-after surrealist painter today.
Content last updated on
A list of linkable tags for topics mentioned on this page.
