This past weekend we stopped by Merry Karnowsky Gallery for the opening of Greg ‘Craola’ Sminkins latest exhibition, “Stop Haunting Me, 20 Years.” As the gallery notes, "In this latest exhibition, Simkins’ dream creations have awoken, fully conscious and yet confined to two-dimensional canvas and paper surfaces. The bulk of their animal shapes are closely entwined in phantasmagorical scenes laced with rich narrative and haunting personification." Photos and more after the jump…

We just got a message from our good friend, and former cover artist, Greg "Craola" Simkins about his new show, Stop Haunting Me, that opens this Saturday, April 6 at Merry Karnowsky in LA. The show will feature a series of new paintings and never-before-seen prints. As Craola told us, " As I painted my pieces for this exhibit, two themes kept reoccurring to me. My twentieth year anniversary of writing graffiti under the name 'Craola"', which I began in 1993, was approaching. It is unbelievable that it is 2013 already. I blinked and 20 years flew by."

Former Juxtapoz cover artist Greg "Craola" Simkins has released his 3rd custom brush set through Trekell & Co, Inc. This new set includes a dagger brush which is essential for all of your lettering needs. All 9 brushes in this set are made from golden taklon and have been designed by the artist himself. Each set includes an insert explaining what Greg uses each brush for. Available for purchase through Trekell.com. Watch the video after the jump . . .

Inquiring about just HOW sculptor/production designer Stacey Ransom and portrait photographer Jason Mitchell create the imaginative "surreality" that they do is like asking David Blaine how he pulls autographed money out of his belly button. There's no answer or method that could satisfy the question.

Stacey Ransom & Jason Mitchell’s highly anticipated debut solo show of photo illustration tableaus and portraiture opens at at Varnish Fine Art in San Francisco, Saturday, Sept. 8th. Mitchell, a director-photographer, and Ransom, a set designer and photo-illustrator, create highly-detailed and visually-lush photo illustrations. The duo, who shot Robert Bowen's portrait in our August 2012 issue, sent us an exclusive portrait preview of their work with Greg "Craola" Simkins.

Former Juxtapoz cover arist, Greg "Craola" Simkins and his friend Werk snuck out of their respective studio/office's last weekend to hook up a wall at South Coast Customs. Greg's friend Kingston recorded and edited, check it out here.

Vannen Artist Watches is proud to present Always Look Down, a new XL timepiece by Greg "Craola" Simkins. Always Look Down is limited to 150 pieces retailing for $85 each with every piece of packaging signed and numbered by Simkins.

We recently stopped Greg "Craola" Simkins studio for a sneak peak at what he's been working on.  Photos, video, and more after the jump...

We have been noticing more and more, "Why don't artists get to endorse things/have their own branded painting materials? Sure, there are spraycans, calendars, tee-shirts, and skate decks with art, but what about a brush set. October 2010 cover artist, Greg "Craola" Simkins has his brush set with Treckell Brushes, which previously sold out but is now back in stock. More after the jump . . .

On Friday I stopped by the opening of INLE a group exhibition curated by artist Greg "Craola" Simkins.  Photos and more after the jump