Meet Greg “CRAOLA” Simkins | Aartis

We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg “CRAOLA” Simkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg “CRAOLA”, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been a creative person. There hasn’t been a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing or making up stories. Even when I thought my career paths were pointing in one direction in my younger years, I was always making art. It was a means to cope with life. It was my entertainment, it was just what I did. When it became clear that I was going to be able to make a living as an artist, I went fully into it and have never looked back.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always seen the world through a dreamlike lens. My imagination has always turned mundane ordinary objects and creatures into fantastical characters and portals into whimsical worlds. I enjoy the hero’s journey and fantasy landscapes and think of my images as pictures from a story that has yet to be written yet is unfolding itself in my paintings. I’ve had to work on my technique for many years, I push myself to learn something new with each painting I do and over the last 33 years oh so have been developing a style and a world that I call “The Outside”.The main challenge I have encountered has been time. I wish I could live outside of time and create everything I put down in my sketchbooks. I have so many ideas I want to paint, just not enough time in the world to paint them. I’ve learnt to harvest my messy mind sketches and compose the scenes I paint from my favorite elements and along the way I’ve noticed a story unfolding. I have carefully been writing down chapters from the sorties inspired by long days sitting at an easel and hope to once day be able to share these with everyone. If not in my lifetime, then perhaps after they have been gifted to my sons who are both heroes in my work and story. I’ll be passing it all onto them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were to have friend in town. We would start the week off with a good hang out at Torrance Beach in the morning over a cup of coffee from Yellow Vase and then take a drive up the coast to El Porto and then back down through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and curve around through Palos Verdes and the Peninsula all the way to San Pedro and Sunken City. Have a Little Walk through the graffiti covered remains and then head back down to the Riviera village for an early dinner at any of the great restaraunts, i.e. Flying Fin, Vida, Rex Steakhouse, Rebel Republic, Hook and Plow, or the famous Bull Pen. Throughout the week I would hit up The LA Zoo, not forgetting to hit all the historical graffiti spots along the LA River and Melrose and Downtown / East LA on the way back home to the South Bay. I would probably take them the Knotts Berry Farm or Disneyland because how close they are and then some local hikes around Palos Verdes. Would definitely explore Long Beach and Lola’s on 4th Street and Belmont shores. Get Tattoos at “Yer Cheatin Heart” in Hermosa beach and visit my friends in all these places along the way. Dinner at “Mom Said Yes”, “Little Sister”, “El Tarasco” would be a must too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents were my first and forever supporters. They built me up and encouraged me since my early childhood years and have always been in my corner. I thank God for them everyday and for placing others along the years in my path to keep pushing me. Next up would be my lovely wife Jenn who set the path to becoming an independent artist and running our small business together.

Website: https://gregsimkinsart.com

Instagram: @CRAOLA

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcraolasimkins/

Twitter: https://x.com/CRAOLA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GregCraolaSimkins/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GregSimkinsArt

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregsimkinsart
https://www.pinterest.com/GregSimkinsArt/

Image Credits
Brent Broza