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Greg "Craola" Simpkins - Interview
We've always wondered why graffiti artists have never been recognized for their art as much as painters. Greg Simpkins, aka Craola, has been one of the few that has truly broken free and been recognized for his paintings on walls and canvas. Just for kicks, we were curious to see what he had to say....
La Famiglia-When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Craola-I always thought I would be a veterinarian, all the way up til I started college.
La Famiglia-What inspired you to start painting?
Craola-I always drew, ever since I was really young. Actually transferring over to using paint happened when I picked up a can of spray paint when I was 18.
La Famiglia-Where do you usually draw inspirations from for your projects?
Craola-Nature, I love animal books and going to the zoo, books (Watership Down, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Bible, The Chronicles of Narnia, Dean Koontz...), movies, the old masters such as Caravaggio and Bosch, still lifes, cloudscapes, song lyrics...
La Famiglia-Do any of your characters ever visit you in your dreams?
Craola-Yup, usually before I paint or draw them though. I have come up with a lot of my imagery from jotting ideas down in my sketchbook after being awakened from a dream.
La Famiglia-Did you paint on walls before you started painting on canvas? If so, how did the transition come about?
Craola-Yes, I painted only walls for many years and then picked up a brush in my early twenties and it changed my life and the entire way I view art. Acrylics are by far my favorite medium, I love pen and ink, pencil, spray paint and computers as well, but the brush is tops for me.
La Famiglia-What have you learned from your experience with graffiti and how has it changed the way you paint?
Craola-It taught me how to paint large and gave me confidence to attack different projects. I learned a lot about composition and color theory as well along the way both in school and on the walls.
La Famiglia-Could you tell us a few of your favorite artists?
Craola-There is a huge list, but here are some: Caravaggio, Bosch, Davinci, Jan Van Huysom, Jacques Louies David, Jan Van Eyck, Salvador Dali, Magritte, Dr. Seuss, Chuck Jones, Preston Blair. Some more contemporary artists that I admire are Todd Schorr, Tim Burton, Alex Pardee, Kris Kuksi, Matthew Bone, Bob Dob, Gunnar, Adam Hathorn, Jason Maloney, Travis Louie, Steven Daily, Axis, Seen, Sub, Scribe, Aaron Dellavedova, and so many more...
La Famiglia-Do you ever personally feel like your paintings are actually complete?
Craola-Most of the time, they are done when they are done and it is time to move on to the next. I usually don't feel like it isn't finished when it is done, it does happen on occasion.
La Famiglia-Tell us about the environment which in you work?
Craola-I listen to music, radio, audio books, and movies, TV. Shows and anything I can find to keep my mind busy while I paint.
La Famiglia-What has been your greatest hardship through out your career and what have you learned?
Craola-The hardest thing was when we made the decision to pursue a career as a fine artist and quit my secure well paying job as a texture artist for video games. It was a big step and very scaring not knowing if we were going to be able to pay rent and keep it up. Thank God it has been going steady and we definitely count our blessings.
La Famiglia-Please tell us about a piece or two that you are sending us?
Craola-The piece "It Wanders" was first a sketch sitting in my book for well over a year now. It started off with the couch, then the idea of a boy looking out of a blown up room. It just flowed from there and once I started the finish sketch, the idea of dragons floating in puddles of melting snow men and cloudscapes with pirates in the distance started to materialize and add mini stories to the main scene going on.
La Famiglia-Do you have any inspirational advice for any young artists?
Craola-I would just say polish your craft. Learn everything you can and don't get comfortable with what you are doing. Also respect others and try your best to keep a good work ethic.
La Famiglia-Any last words?
Craola-The hidden people behind what I do deserve more credit than they get. This is a good chance to say thanks to my amazing wife, Jenn who does all the business stuff and thanks to my Dad who builds all my panels, works on my frames, and helps me in more ways getting my projects going than anyone, and thanks to my Mom for handing out fliers to all my shows to every waitress that serves her.
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