Tagging the Subconscious, Surreal Worlds of Greg "Craola" Simkins | EP 305
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how your artistic style develops over time? Greg "Craola" Simpkins, a revered name in both graffiti circles and the painting industry, shares his fascinating journey from street art to creating surrealistic canvases. In this episode, we dive into how his distinctive style evolved, the nuances of balancing creativity in graffiti and painting, and practical insights for artists looking to merge different art forms. Simpkins will also present at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest Academy, where he's set to share more of his creative process.
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This Episode was ALSO brought to you by:
Interview by By Jake Meeks —
Writing By Daniel Pushcarich -
Topics: Santa Monica, Greg Crayola Simpkins, Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest Academy, Jesse Smith, graffiti, street art, Venice, Circle Jerks, punk rock, spray technique, tag baiting, Instagram, Dime, Ernie, 3D letters, character tattoos, CBS, Los Angeles, canvas composition, Fibonacci spiral, tattoo artistry, Tattoo Truck, organic creativity, grisaille, color theory, photography, layering, transparent colors, focal points, cadmium red, Stabby, switchblade character, MySpace, underground galleries, video game industry, solo exhibition, curiosity, productivity, social media algorithms, sketchbook, tattoo convention, Big Daddy's, flash art, Sean Barber
"I learned how to compose everything by doing graffiti."
— Greg "Craola" Simpkins
Guest Bio
Greg "Craola" Simpkins ([@craola]) is a celebrated artist known for his work that fuses graffiti art with surrealist imagery, creating unique, otherworldly paintings. Based in the South Bay of Los Angeles, Simpkins began his journey in art at the age of 17 and has since made significant contributions to both the graffiti and painting worlds. His love for comics and fantasy stories has greatly influenced his art style. Please enjoy!
INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Greg "Craola" Simkins:
https://gregsimkinsart.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/craola/ | Linktree
Show Notes
[00:00] Episode Setup and Background
[01:30] Highlights of the Richmond Tattoo and Artsfest Academy
[02:16] Graffiti Conversation and Artist Background
[08:12] Street Art Origins and Experiences
[10:00] Evolution of Street Art Culture
[13:07] Influence of Iconic Graffiti Artists
[15:57] Struggles of Tattooing Characters
[16:23] Early Tattooing Experiences
[17:11] Character and Letter Integration in Graffiti
[18:19] Learning from the Graffiti Scene
[21:00] Transitioning Skills from Graffiti to Canvas
[22:20] The Challenges of Tattooing as a Non-Artist
[23:47] Exploring Tattoo Composition and Innovation
[25:00] The Importance of a Personalized Setup for Tattooing
[30:00] Embracing Organic Creativity in Art
[31:23] Exploring Color Techniques in Tattoo Art
[32:20] The Use of Photography for Color Palettes
[33:31] Bringing Layers into Perspective
[34:05] Maintaining Focus in Artwork
[39:05] Sharing Techniques and Tools for Improvement
[39:59] The Artistic Process and Storytelling
[43:51] Integrating Character Concepts into Art
[46:25] Rising Through Art and Opportunities
[48:21] Building a Career in Art
[50:52] Staying Inspired and Productive
[54:12] Daily Routine and Discipline
[54:50] Staying Focused Amidst Distractions
[56:02] The Role of Knowledge in Creativity
[58:32] The Journey of Teaching and Learning
[01:01:53] The Importance of Detail in Art
[01:03:01] Discovering Personal Style Through Encouragement
[01:04:23] The Impact of Audience Perception on Artistic Work
[01:08:41] The Evolution of Artistic Sharing in the Digital Age
[01:09:25] Tattoo Convention Excitement
[01:09:44] Early Tattoo Experiences
[01:10:27] Connection to Tattoo Artists
[01:11:10] Flash Art and Collaborations
[01:12:00] Perspectives on Artistic Evolution
From Graffiti to Gallery
Early Days in Graffiti
Greg reminisced about his early days in the graffiti scene, starting his journey at 17 and adopting the name "Craola" shortly after. "Everybody says that's kind of late, but I was always drawing as a super quiet, introverted kid," he recalls. His story starts in the gritty Venice scene of the '90s, where dodging cops while throwing up Circle Jerks-inspired characters became the foundation for everything that followed. Finding a group through skating and graffiti, he rapidly honed his skills, focusing on full-color pieces in local washes and ditches.
The transition from illegal wall bombing to legitimate gallery recognition isn't a path most artists get to walk, but Greg "Craola" Simpkins has mastered that journey like few others in the game. What makes Craola's approach so powerful is how he's maintained that raw, rebellious energy while evolving his technical skills to museum-quality levels.
Building a Unique Style
Simkins' distinctive blend of characters and lettering emerged as he transitioned from walls to canvas. "I wasn't painting canvases first. I was spray painting walls," he explained. The graffiti background heavily influenced his understanding of composition, which is evident in his later works.
Merging Techniques and Inspirations
As Simpkins moved towards a more formal artistic setting, his techniques evolved. His process often starts with basic sketches, sometimes on an iPad, allowing for digital manipulation before transferring them to canvas. He remarked, "When you get on a big canvas… you see all this extra space that wasn’t there before" — a space where new stories and elements come to life during painting.
Craola breaks down composition rules from graffiti productions. His use of grid systems, Fibonacci spirals, and layered color theory shows that whether you're working on a freight train or someone's skin, the principles of creating compelling visual narratives remain the same. It's about understanding how underground art forms can legitimately influence and improve traditional tattoo approaches, proving once again that the best innovation comes from artists who aren't afraid to blend different worlds together.
Insights for Tattoo Artists
The crossover from graffiti to surrealism offers valuable lessons for tattoo artists. Simpkins discussed the importance of understanding shape and form, both crucial to effective tattooing. His experiences with graffiti's adaptable nature parallel the flexibility needed in tattoo designs to fit the client’s body.
More Craola Quotes from This Interview
[17:11] Character and Letter Integration in Graffiti - "There was a time where if you did just characters and you didn't do any letters, you weren't considered a graffiti artist."
[30:00] Embracing Organic Creativity in Art - "If we knew exactly what things were going to look like before we painted them, we probably wouldn't paint them because it wouldn't be fun."
[33:31] Bringing Layers into Perspective - "I won't take anything to full white until the very end. There's no full white going on here."
[58:32] The Journey of Teaching and Learning - "I feel like I'm still learning, tripping forward, making mistakes, and solving them."
[01:08:41] The Evolution of Artistic Sharing in the Digital Age - "Back in the days, if someone was going to look at your stuff, you had to have your sketchbook."
People Mentioned
Gallery Of Craola
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