Simkin or "Sim" as he is most fondly called graduated from the Ateneo de Manila High School in 1994, and completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in Diliman in 1998. Scion of Cebuano painter, Gig de Pio, Sim has garnered a number of awards including a two time awardee at the Shell National Student's Art Competition. His fascination with human anatomy, figures and the portrait led to a number of significant commissioned works all throughout his college and professional career, influence of which is evident in his first solo show "Personification" in January 2007, and the "18x24" Group show at Metro Gallery ni 2009, to name a few. He was also one of the 100 UP Centennial Artists whose work graced the centenary celebration exhibit and coffee table book "100 Nudes, 100 Years" with his work "Point of Inflection". Simkin works in a variety of media, although he works mainly in oil, acrylic, and pastel or charcoal. He was an artist and co-owner of FormaFuego Artist Space, and now paints full-time at Prometheus Atelier.