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Global bio-blitz
city nature challenge and
iNaturalist
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by Scooj
* this long weekend is the city nature challenge. An opportunity for citizens to photograph and record species they see, all done through the iNaturalist app. In short, the city with the most species recorded from 29 April to 2 May wins. A great way to engage with and look out for nature.
Unusual and unexpected, this writing in Dean Lane is an untypical piece from Inkie that appeared about a week ago, at the same time as a Rusk piece on a nearby wall (coming soon). At first glance, the writing is not obviously Inkie’s and certainly doesn’t have many of his trademark elements.
Take a closer look though and certain motifs are there. The quality of the piece is outstanding and although it might look a bit busy and eclectic, everything that is there is carefully placed, like the green hoops, the purple bubble writing around the edges and the shout-outs. This is a skilfully painted piece designed to look a bit raw, and Inkie has carried it off perfectly.
Wxttsart is an established member of the Bristol LRS crew, and when there is an LRS paint jam, he is usually there. His work is easily identified as he is the only artist who writes ‘MILK’, to my knowledge. But of course, it isn’t just his letters that mark out his work, but the style too.
Wxttsart has created a decorative piece of graffiti writing, verging on calligraffiti, with cream letters and a red 3D shadow. For me, though, the whole thing is brought to life by the blue feathering surrounding the piece, and the white highlights on the letters, both of which lift this piece significantly.
Elton Street paint jams are something that, until last year, have passed me by a little. Some five or six ‘billboard’ panels fixed to the wall of a building are painted simultaneously, by a selection of artists, usually with a colour theme running as a golden thread between the pieces.
This panel is by the magnificent Tom Miller, whose surreal and busy creations continue to thrill and bemuse in equal measure. Here we have a dog or wolf bursting out of the picture in a splash of colour, with a pan or bowl suspended in front of him. This is a real work of art, brilliantly executed. I miss his occasional pieces in the Bearpit, where he first announced his entry onto the Bristol street art scene, but he makes up for it with walls large and small all over the city.
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One day holiday
insurance, tax, paying bills
now I need a break
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by Scooj
Although this masterpiece has been around for a little while, I have only recently photographed it. What an absolute stunner, it is amazing what Kosc is doing these days and I really feel that he has raised his game massively into the top half of the top division, and all this has happened over just a few years.
His pieces pretty much always stand out and completely command attention. How can you not look at something like this and not say ‘wow’ (or some other more contemporary exclamation). The crispness of the writing, repetition of background patterning, bright orange ribbon and sharp portrait are all elements that brought together have a huge impact.
I think that this ranks as my favourite piece by Kosc so far. There is something quite cheeky and up-front about it. Confident and assured, this is an absolute jewel that deserves accolades from all who take an interest in street art. Bravo Kosc!
Conrico, or Conrico Steez to give him his full name, is going through a bit of a purple patch and is both painting alone and collaborating in spots all over North Bristol at the moment. This Chinese dragon character intertwined with the word Conrico harks back to a dragon piece I photographed in August 2019 (pre-Covid, remember that?).
I say this every time I write about Conrico’s work, but he has a certain quality and style that makes his work look like it has been painted using a brush rather than a spray can, there is a certain texture and depth that he manages to get that is fairly unique. There is much to admire in this piece, and I am enjoying his high productivity at the moment.
Billy continues to utterly delight with her uncomplicated storytelling pieces. Her work is so accessible and has a deep connection with the viewer, and I imagine especially so with younger audiences. There is nothing pretentious or conceited about her work, it is full of fun and commentary that is pleasing to the eye and great for lifting the spirit.
I particularly like this piece, I mean what’s not to like about dogs, birds, hats, flowers, a pencil and a lava lamp. I think that the grey background works really well with the overall presentation and the colour scheme is superb. A feast for the eyes and a triumph for Billy – one of my favourite pieces of hers so far.
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Long overwintered
breaking cover in the spring
seeking sun and warmth
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This is one of those pieces that I photographed some time ago, and even had some pictures of it when it was only half-finished, but it has remained in my folders because I wanted to do some research and find out a little bit more about it. Unfortunately my work has been ultra busy lately and I haven’t found time to look into the piece, but I simply had to scratch that itch, so I am posting it now.
The magnificent portraits are by Hazard and celebrate the lives of two local residents. The lower portrait is of Israel Augustus Daley, who was fondly known as Gullu. His name above the piece has a saxophone alongside it, and I guess he was a musician.
The higher portrait celebrates Justina Sharpe. Both pieces were funded by Sovreign Housing Association who own Ashley Court. Of course, it is the bright and colourful artwork by Hazard that makes these portraits so special, and already the building has become a landmark for its portraits.
Not content with the two portraits, Hazard also sprinkled some beautiful flowers and leaves at one of the entrances to the building. Hazard is turning out some truly outstanding work, and is in my view a world-class street artist.
Natural adventures 