Magical Studio Practice

28/5/2014

GoodKnight Simkins from Greg Simkins on Vimeo.

There's nothing quite like a glimpse into someone else's working practice is there?

Even if you aren't a fan of surrealism, I bet you can't resist this video of Greg 'Craola' Simkins at work in his studio on a large and very surreal painting.

I admit, I've got more than a soft spot for Surrealism and it's literary sister, Magic Realism.

Maybe it dates back to art classes in high school about Dalí and Escher?

Or the day I discovered this book on Remedios Varo on Tottenham Court Rd? (Now selling new on Amazon for a cool £150!)

Or maybe it's the overactive imagination of an only child who never quite grew up?

Whatever the reason, I admit, I find Greg Simkins rather intriguing.

From Graffiti to Bosch

Criticised by his art teacher for his comic book style, as a teenager, Greg took his creativity onto the street in the form of graffiti art.

This experience of working on a grand scale contributes to his evident mastery of working on large canvases.

While some of his earlier work doesn't attract me much, his latest offerings evoke a young, 21st century Bosch.

It will be interesting to see how his work continues to mature.