Gregg Simpson

Gregg Simpson is an internationally-recognized abstract artist with roots in surrealism. His work is also significantly influenced by the landscapes near his home on Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC, and informed and influenced by his  many years of travelling and exhibiting throughout Europe and North America.

I think I can say that every piece I've ever done has its roots in the natural world—the textures and colors, the shapes and shadows, and most importantly, the emotional pull. I paint because I want to reveal what I see and experience for others to respond to and resonate with.

The word "eclectic" aptly describes Simpson's work. He tries never to repeat himself and is always searching for new ways to work with his materials. In the studio, he paints primarily in acrylics and when he's traveling, he uses pastels and gouache to create works based on all the new stimuli he encounters on the road. Gregg's practice is heavily influenced by the great 20^th Century masters such as Matisse, Picasso, and particularly the great surrealist artist Max Ernst. The work of these artists and others including Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keefe, Nicolas de Staël, and Joan Miró permeates his consciousness. Music, particularly jazz and classical, is also a constant inspiration.

I always have music playing while I'm working in the studio—usually classical while I paint and then jazz afterwards. My two loves—music and art—are completely intertwined in my paintings and drawings. Rhythms infuse my brushstrokes and melodies sing through my colors and shapes.