Beauty Solved

Finally coming down from the opening reception of Greg Simkins' "The Pearl Thief," and we really wanted to thank everyone who came out to support the show. Evolving with Greg since the first time he showed with us 5 years ago has been the most rewarding aspect of owning Gallery1988 for both Katie and I. Makes you wonder if good things really do happen to good people after all. The work from this new exhibit are stunning and you can see them all by CLICKING HERE. I really hope any of you that can make here to the gallery by November 22nd to see the pieces in person do so, because some of these have to be seen to be believed. And that includes...

(all pictures stolen from Arrested Motion, which you should visit to see more pics from last night)

Greg's largest piece ever, "The Pearl Thief," clocking in around the 8 foot mark. This is the most detailed, intense painting I have ever seen in person. I noticed people staring at it for easily over 30 minutes. The new proud, and envied, owner of this beauty, filmmaker Nick Cassavetes stopped by the show to see the final product in person, which was an awesome ending to the process of creating, and displaying, this monster. Here are a few more pictures of pieces in the show...

And onto the puzzle. So we created an art show puzzle last night, that had a few teams of people literally working the entire night in hopes of cracking. The person who solved the puzzle, travelled to a nearby destination then returned with the needed bounty to the gallery - got a free 5 x 5 inch painting from Greg. That is painting was this - 

Listen, the painting wouldn't be cheap...so we weren't making it easy. The puzzle master would also have his/her name added into what we now call "Simkins Folklore," seeing their name pop up as the rescuer of Matt Riddle's dream in future pieces and writings. Which is awesome.

So anyway, we had a lot of people try - but about 4 teams worked the entire night. And one of the teams, puzzle masters from 42 Entertainment, came away victorious. Johnny "KMNDZ" Rodriguez and Mike Borys solved a puzzle that can't be easily explained, but I'll try. A majority of the pieces in the show had a number written below the price tag. Take that number and count the letters in that piece's title - to get the letter you need pull from that title. So if "6" was written under the tag, and the tag said the piece's title was "This Puzzle Is Hard," you'd pull a "U" out. BUT, it wasn't JUST that easy. We didn't give you 2 letters simply. For example, one tag was missing an "L" - it said "The Pear Thief," so it's a good idea to remember a missed "L." So, as I said we weren't making it easy. Once you have all the letters, it's a scramble. It would eventually spell out "Shamrock Social," the world renown Tattoo parlor on Sunset Blvd. When you went there, they handed you a special Pearl setting, and a note from Greg bringing you back to the gallery to claim the painting. Whew.

And it was solved in about 2-3 hours. Truth is having 42 Entertainment even attempt our puzzle is like asking Bono to listen to your demo. So it was an honor to even have them participate. Here's Johnny claiming his prize...

We hope to do this more often, because creating puzzles like this are really a passion for me and involving Greg was awesome. 

So, please stop by before November 22nd and see this show. Cause after that...we're killing Vivisect. BLACK FRIDAY.

Jensen

G1988:LA

Could It Be You?

Tonight's Gallery Puzzle can be solved. And if you solve it, this will be yours and you will have saved Matt Riddle and his dreams.



Greg Simkins
"Slipping Slowly Into Sleep"
acrylic on panel
5 x 5 inches
Bring us the pearls

Jensen
G1988:LA

Breath Taken

detail



detail



detail



Greg Simkins
"The Pearl Thief"
acrylic on canvas
96 x 72 inches

I hate posting this on the Internet because it has to be seen in person to be understood. It has so much detail, yet at the same time is so overwhelmingly big. It's hard to fathom how much work went into this, his largest piece to date. I know most of you won't be able to stop by the gallery during the show (which opens tomorrow night, 7 - 10 PM), especially the person who visits the blog everyday in Iceland (Thanks, Google Analytics), but if you can stop by the gallery, please do. This piece will steal an hour of your day and you won't even realize how long you've been staring at it. It's just incredible.

Jensen
G1988:LA

NUMB3RS

"When his eyes were tightly shut, and the counted sheep had begun taking on lives of their own, young Matt Riddle's dreams were snatched right out of his sleepy head. The most unusual part about the pearl theft is that with most people, there is just one pearl which holds all the creative thoughts and dreams for a life time, but Matt had a string of pearls. This both puzzled and delighted the Pearl Thief who didn't hesitate to pull one after another until he had taken the last one, leaving Matt, tired, grey, and listless as he woke the next morning. We need your help to return Matt's dreams to him. In doing so you will forever be included in this story as it unfolds."

The puzzle will be for those attending the opening tomorrow night of Greg Simkins' "The Pearl Thief," from 7 - 10 PM. Can you solve the puzzle? If so, you'll get a free 5 x 5 inch Matt Riddle painting from Greg Simkins and find your name somehow included in the future story (and paintings) of this incredible character's story.

Just you wait. So awesome.

Tonight, I'm going to post the show's masterpiece. You should be sitting.

Jensen
G1988:LA

For Reference

Either Greg Simkins' son Isaac is REALLY small, or the painting Greg just dropped off is REALLY big.

Either or. You guess.

Happy Halloween, Batman.

Jensen
G1988:LA

Follow

As we enter the final week of the Alex Pardee's complex mind being on display here at G1988: LA, November can only mean one thing - a Greg "Craola" Simkins solo show. Please don't mistake Greg's recent break for him doing "nothing." This last week he opened his new online store, which you can check and purchase from by CLICKING HERE, and he's been hard at work creating his brand new show, which will open at Gallery1988: LA on November 3rd. The show is entitled "The Pearl Thief" and it's one of the most complex themes and most intricate work of his career.

"The Pearl Thief" will tell the story of a greedy monster who travels the globe stealing people's imaginations, all in the shape of a pearl dangling inside each person's head. And that greedy monster needs to be stopped! And that's where we need YOUR help!

The art show will also be an interactive experience, creating a gallery puzzle that, when solved, will lead one lucky person to a free 5x5 original painting, depicting one of the fortunate souls you helped by returning their imagination. It's all pretty awesome!

Until that moment, when we call upon you for help...here are two videos Greg put together featuring new works for "The Pearl Thief."





Again, WE NEED YOUR HELP to stop this "Pearl Thief" and bring these imaginations back to where they belong! Hope to see you November 3rd, 7 -11 PM!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Something For Your Sunday

This is announced.



More on that soon.

And our SMart Show with Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier is this coming Friday. We'll be full speed on that hyping that up next week, as 25 artists will be taking aim at Kevin and Scott's popular podcast series, SModcast. If you are not aware of SModcast, it's hilarious, free on Itunes or the Internet, and super dirty (so don't say we didn't warn you). We'll break down the artists participating and give you some previews, etc. throughout next week. And we obviously suggest coming by Friday night, 7-10 PM, as Kevin and Scott will be in the house, signing, talking and also celebrating the release of Kevin's new book, "Shootin' The Sh*t With Kevin Smith," which transcribes a lot of greatest hits from SModcast. Going to be a lot of fun, leading up to one of Kevin's infamous Q&A evenings the next night at the Orpheum. It's a View Askew weekend and we're happy to be a part of it.

Again, more on all this SOON!

Jensen
G1988: LA