2172. M32 Spot (40)

I had seen this nice column piece by Daz Cat several times, but kept forgetting to go back to photograph it. By the time I sorted myself out, someone had slapped a poster in the middle of the face. This is a dilemma for a street photographer. Do I leave it as I found it, as if it were a tag, or do I remove it? I tend to leave it as it is as this somehow feels more authentic to me. It is how it is when I saw it.

Daz Cat, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019
Daz Cat, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019

Having said all of that, it is a pity that the grubby poster is there, because the piece is a nice one. Also I am embarrassed by the quality of the photograph which is way out of focus, so I think I am going to have to return to photograph it again, and maybe I’ll get lucky and the poster will have blown away.

2171. St Werburghs tunnel (76)

It is funny how some artists seem to favour walls, such as Laic217 in Moon Street and Hire in Dean Lane, and this spot at the north end of St Werburghs tunnel is often occupied by Mr Klue.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019

In fine deep colours, this piece looks like it is a bit of a tribute to Hoax. Both artists belong to the COM64 crew which I think also includes DNT, Akarat and Mr Sleven. Often the word KLUE is hidden in his works, but here it is quite clear that he has written HOAX. A nice friendly piece.

2170. Lawrence Hill roundabout (8)

Sandwiched between Soap on the left and Zake on the right is this lovely piece by Tasha Bee. I haven’t seen much of her work recently, so had a little ferret around in my archive to pull this one out from my first and thus far only trip to Lawrence Hill roundabout.

Tasha Bee, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019

I particularly like the character’s hair in this one, which appears to have symbols from the zodiac although none that I recognise. As with most of her work, there is something calming about this one. Consistently interesting and good.

2169. St Werburghs tunnel (75)

It seems that Decay is not the only graffiti artist in Bristol who is enjoying his writing at the moment. This piece by Stupid Stupid Meathole is one of several bright pink burners from this Bristol artist who specialises in mildly grotesque characters.

Stupid Stupid Meathole, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019
Stupid Stupid Meathole, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019

Even in his writing (which spells out Meathole), there is an organic, fleshy feel to it all with the circles in the A and the O resembling belly buttons (is that just me?). More like this to come.

2168. Dean Lane skate park (208)

Rounding up on the flying visit to Bristol by Spanish duo Rama and Largo I am posting this urban scene by Largo in Dean Lane. This is an unusual piece which is actually very nicely done indeed. A street scene almost Lowry-esque in its depiction and aspect, lacking only the matchstick people.

Largo, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019
Largo, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019

I love the detail of the wall running through the piece with graffiti on it, a story within a story, and the bus shelter is a great addition to the piece. It is a pity these two were only over for a short trip, because I think their work adds an unfamiliar dimension to the Bristol scene. Regular readers will know how much I enjoy it when visitors come to town and this is precisely why. Come back soon.

Largo, M32, Bristol, April 2019
Largo, M32, Bristol, April 2019

2167. Dean Lane skate park (207)

Following on from yesterday’s collaboration post (Kid Crayon, Rama and Largo), here is a piece by Rama over the fence at Dean Lane skate park. Weirdly I actually saw him painting this when dropping my son off at the swimming pool for his lifeguard training – I didn’t stop for a chat, because at that point I didn’t realise that he was one of the artists that Kid Crayon had been in contact with. If I had known I would most certainly have stopped for a chat.

Rama, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019
Rama, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019

This is quite simply a really decent and well executed burner with a fabulous two-tone fill and a rather Inky-esque 3D shading with a vanishing point below the piece. Nice work. Rama was not painting alone, but was actually with his travel companion from Spain Largo… see the next post.

2166. M32 roundabout J3 (140)

It is most satisfying knowing that something is going to happen and then discovering that it has indeed happened. This is a wonderful collaboration between Bristol artist Kid Crayon and two Spanish artists, I think from Barcelona, Largo and Rama. I spent a while a few weeks back chatting with Kid Crayon in a bar and he told me then that he had been in touch with two Spanish artists on Instagram, and had agreed to paint with them on a planned visit to Bristol. This, I guess, is the result and I love it.

Largo, M32, Bristol, April 2019
Largo, M32, Bristol, April 2019

Set on a purple background and starting on the left is a fabulous cartoon style man and his blue car by Largo. I love the style in the man’s face, the hatching bringing out his features and his glasses are brilliant. There is a simplicity to this work that works really well. I wonder what the story is.

Rama, M32, Bristol, April 2019
Rama, M32, Bristol, April 2019

In the middle of the collaboration is this ashtray by Rama, with a smoking Posca pen in it – a reference to a tool of the trade, a bit like the way many artists feature spray cans in their work. I am particularly drawn to the little chips in the ashtray – fabulous attention to detail.

Kid Crayon, M32, Bristol, April 2019
Kid Crayon, M32, Bristol, April 2019

Finally, on the right hand side is this stunner from Kid Crayon. Heaven only knows what is going on here, a country bumpkin maybe with a sheriff badge with the word Eat (his crew with SPZero76), grating a plate of cheese. I don’t know why, perhaps it is the unuisual story and concept, but I absolutely love this piece a whole lot, even the overpainted white outline names behind each section.

Kid Crayon, M32, Bristol, April 2019
Kid Crayon, M32, Bristol, April 2019

Unfortunately this collaboration didn’t last long, and was overpainted with some inferior burners, but that is the way with street art. I am just so pleased I got to see this wall before it was ruined.