site birth: september 8th, 2000. updated: december 25th, 2007. New Winnipeg Web Hosting

Greetings, my name's Greg Oakes and I'm an Artist. I was born ('73) and raised in Winnipeg, and ever since I can remember I've loved to draw. It's pretty much the same ol' story all artists tell. It all started way back when I was just old enough to grasp a crayon and destroy my parents' furniture. Throughout the years I've developed many different styles and techniques in illustration and painting which have allowed me to be accessible to a range of people with diverse tastes in art. From the disturbingly dark to the lighthearted and witty, there is usually something for everyone. One thing I can say is that it's certainly not boring. I grew up surrounded by images of fantasy art, sci-fi and underground comic culture. I have many different artistic inspirations, some of which include the likes of Chuck Jones and Bugs Bunny, Dr. Seuss, Schoolhouse Rock, Spider-Man, Batman, Wayne Anderson's "The Magic Circus" ('79), Sergio Aragonés, Mort Drucker and Mad Magazine, Jim Henson and The Muppets, Brian Froud, ex-girlfriends, The Dark Crystal, Gahan Wilson, my daughters Kira, Chloe and Payton, wife Sabina, William Stout, Maurice Sendak's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, Mercer Mayer's LITTLE CRITTER, Dan Piraro's Bizarro, The Tragically Hip, Jim Burns and his contributions to Harry Harrison's "Mechanismo" ('78) and "Planet Story" ('79), Kiss, Norman Rockwell, H.R. Giger, Matt Groening and The Simpsons, Frank Frazetta, Simon Bisley, Robert Crumb, Jazz/Blues Music, Robert Williams, Coop, smelly industrial strength felt markers, Dan Collins, Skip Williamson, Mark Ryden, Ewoks, Sebastian Kruger, hot coffee, Todd Schorr, the year 1973, Cordell Barker, Fall Time in Winnipeg, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Naked Ladies, dark rum, John Pound, macaroons, Frank Oz, My Auntie Karen, The Smurfs, Dave Cooper and Eric White to name a few. Every once and awhile I get inspired to write poetry. When inspiration hits, it's a nice day. :) This is a little bit of my life and I would like to share it with you. If it brings a smile to your face I've done my job. If it rubs you the wrong way I've also done my job but in no way intentionally set out to hurt anyone's feelings. If it moves you in a "I have something in my eye" kinda way, well then that's just peachy. I love diversity, and we all know that's what makes us who we are. It's that simple and it's all good. Peace, Love and Happiness. go