Last night, Greg Simkins aka Craola (interviewed) opened his show “The Pearl Thief” at the LA location of Gallery 1988.  Featuring his largest painting to date (glimpses of which you saw in our studio visit) and a riddle/puzzle that lead to a prize of an original painting from Greg, show-goers left with plenty to talk about.

“The Pearl Thief” painting (seen above), was pretty amazing. One of the most detailed paintings we have ever seen; it was like ten paintings in one with many of the imagery that Greg is famous for – including night knight, whales, glass domes, skulls, honeycombs, candles – a encyclopedia of Craola favorites.

The riddle ended up being solved by KMNDZ, not surprising as he organized the scavenger hunt and puzzles for Baby Tattooville this year. Numbers that corresponding with each painting led to a letter being chosen for each painting, which led to a word scramble, which led to a location, which he retrieved an object (pearls) to exchange for the original painting.

Take a look at all the pics after the jump…


Largest piece ever!

Largest piece ever!

Greg and Brandon, his webmaster

Greg and Brandon, his webmaster

Winner of original painting - KMNDZ

Winner of original painting - KMNDZ

For our giveaway contest, we have a free mini-print graciously donated by Jensen from g1988 for one lucky reader who can guess how long (off and on) it took Greg approximately to complete “The Pearl Thief,” his largest painting ever.

Mini-print giveaway

Mini-print giveaway

Discuss Greg “Craola” Simkins here.
Discuss the show here.