Kidrobot believes it was a heavy slice of advice when Alice and Wonderland taught us that you must think of one impossible thing everyday. Loosing yourself to the imagination is a creative thought process that forces us to think outside or ourselves for something more interesting than rational thought. This process of daydreaming is no joke to artist Greg “Craola” Simkins, an artist who lets his imagination run wild to create dreamscapes all the way from sunny California. Recently featured in our City Crytpid Dunny Series, we couldn’t get enough and had him join in on the new Designer Con Dunny Mini Series, take a look!…
“Claude from the Pod” likes to sneak up on your in dark places but if you catch him in the act, the fame is ruined and he usually goes off and pouts in a corner someplace.
Where in the world (or other worlds) would this Dunny live?
Probably anywhere that Ligers and Unicorns frolic, so I guess your dreams and nightmare lands, oh and Redondo beach California.
What it means to you? /Why did you choose that specific design? /What inspired the design?
This design was inspired from a creature I created called an Orcow. Part Orca, Part cow, but in this version, part sunny as well. The Original creature was labeled “The Stair Monster” as in, “I’m Scared of the Monster who climbs up the Stairs…” from the stop motion short “I’m Scared” that I created with Pete Levin and C4 Toons. I’ve always had fun mixing orcas and their color patterns into my work and thought this would be another great opportunity to do so.
Why did they choose those colors and design choices?
I wanted to use the same color ways that I made for the large toys that we made fro the movie. That way the funny’s could be little companions to the larger Orcows.
Are there any “easter eggs” or features of the design with a story or something on the piece that people might not notice at first?
Unlike the or cow from the animated short which wears a mask to disguise itself as a bunny, this one actually has bunny ears making him an actual bunny, oh, and no cow bits, so I this is a BunnOrca, or better yet, a Dunnorca.
What are you currently doing in the art world?
I am working on a solo exhibition of new paintings for KP Projects Gallery in Los Angeles as well as a variety of other projects.
Did you always want to be an artist? How did you get to where you are today as an artist?
Yes, But I thought I would be a veterinarian and then do art on the side. A lot of opportunities and obsession making art took over and steered me into the path I am currently on and I have been making art for a living for 20 years or more.
What projects have you worked on with Kidrobot in the past (with years)?
Craola Dunny Series 3 Comic Con Release 2006, Custom Munny Show 2007, Cryptid Dunny Mini Series 2018
What are three art pieces you have done that you are most proud of and can you provide a photo to share?
“Finding Home”, “Good Knight” and “The Escape Artist”
What does Designer Con represent to them?
I like the fact that artists and creatives can have a place to pool their collective imaginations into an almost wonderland of ideas and visuals.
What does Kidrobot represent to them?
Kidrobot has a great history of catering t the alternative art crowd and I have always appreciated that.
What does Designer Con represent to them?
Art has given me a living and a life that I could have only dreamt of, only now I get to paint those dreams and escape into the imaginary world in my head.
