Month: April 2022

4363. M32 Spot (137)

You can expect a whole lot more of these wonderful monster pieces from Mote, because I have a lot in my archive, and he paints regularly enough to keep me busy. This is a great example of his work, and also typifies his preference for columns. Although the monster might seem a little naive, it is actually beautifully painted and Mote takes his time to keep his lines sharp and his fills really solid.

Mote, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022
Mote, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022

I take great inspiration from artists like Mote, Enn Kay and Maybe Paints who are all pretty new to painting the streets and have come on really quickly, presenting some outstanding work. If I get a moment, I hope to do my first public piece this summer, following their brave example, very possibly on one of the columns under the M32.

4362. Dean Lane skate park (479)

We don’t seem all that often, but when he visits a wall, he always leaves an impression, because his work is rather unique. I am talking about Stif who paints his rather surreal pieces from time to time in Dean Lane or sometimes Brunel Way. With this particular piece it was a case of blink and you’ll miss it, because it didn’t last long at all.

Stif, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Stif, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022

Stif tends to paint on a black background which contrasts with the bold colours that he uses. This piece looks like it is a monster breaking out of a red parcel, and it might be a simple as that, I can’t really find a story or narrative underpinning the piece. It is rather eccentric and very memorable, and definitely worthy of posting on Natural Adventures.

4361. Greenbank (36)

This wonderful piece from Merny made me laugh a lot and offered another insight into the artist’s observational skills and ability to recreate otherwise ordinary conversations or objects and turn them into something visually special.  I always enjoy his work, and the naive style lends itself to remarkable storytelling.

Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The heroine of the piece declares ‘I utterly can’t help it if I’m beautiful hun!’ And tells us so much about this rather vain and laughable, but somehow endearing character. What I like about the piece is that we all probably know somebody like this, and it is this resonance that works so well, like a good situational comedian. The woman is talking to herself in a mirror, which makes the piece even more hilarious. Great work from Merny.

4360. St Werburghs tunnel (286)

Finding Mr Klue pieces these days is a real treat, as they have become a bit of a rarity in recent months. I only know of one other piece he has painted this year, which I missed, on Turbo Island. So coming across this one rather made my day.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2022
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2022

Mr Klue certainly hasn’t lost his touch, nor his knack for selecting beautiful colour palettes. This wall had played host to a magnificent 3Dom piece, which had remained intact for a very long time, but had recently been bombed. Once this happens, a wall will tend to undergo a renaissance and rapid turnover, so taggers and bombers play a role in rejuvenating walls, even if it is irritating. Beneficiaries of this new start are Mr Klue, being able to paint in one of his favourite spots, and passers by who can enjoy a fresh piece of work from one of our very best abstract artists.

He rests on them

.

On first inspection

there is nothing to see here

take a closer look

.

by Scooj

On admiring the modest but beautiful flowers of the laurel.

4359. Dean Lane skate park (478)

Photographing street art and graffiti isn’t just about the big pieces, the obvious ‘in your face’ high end work. It is about capturing the full spectrum of work and the full spectrum of styles, content, ability and so on. Finding a couple of little gems, like these from Zake, exemplifies the joys of finding and cataloging street art.

Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022

Zake is normally known for his bright and expressive stylised faces, full of light and shade to exaggerate the contours of the features. In these two small pieces in Dean Lane, Zake gives us something more like a study, or something you might find in a black book rather than on a wall. It is not only the beauty of these works, but their rarity that is part of their attraction.

Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022

I guess that they were both painted in the same session judging from the colour palette. A male and female portrait in subtle tones. Two fine pieces adding to the rich portfolio that the artist has to offer, and something a little different for the viewer.

4358. Purdown AA Battery (43)

John D’oh delights us with his stencils. Sometimes they are highly political and a commentary on events and happenings of our time and at other times they are packed with fun and humour, and this Captain Caveman falls into the latter category.

John D'oh, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022
John D’oh, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022

I am a little too old to have watched much Captain Caveman, but I was certainly aware of the cartoon series. In this piece, the mischievous character is looking thrilled to be let loose with a spray can. This is a fabulous small piece from John D’oh.

4357. Brunel Way (150)

Although Daz Cat has been a little quiet of late, apart from a smattering of quickie cat faces, when he does have time he creates something magnificent, like this recent cat down by the river under Brunel Way.

Daz Cat, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022
Daz Cat, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022

This piece is a dreamy look forward to the summer and days of warmth, shorts and ice lollies. The cat is one of Daz Cat’s full length versions and tells a story, rather than just a static piece. I’m not too sure what the pink lines on the shorts are, but some idiot has ‘augmented’ the piece, which is a pity. All in all rather wonderful stuff.

4356. M32 Cycle path (172)

I am always slightly surprised that anyone would paint this particular spot; the wall is uneven and on a bit of a corner, but it is popular and has quite a high turnover. Maybe it is accepted that nothing here will last too long, whereas some adjacent walls are more sought after, and therefore inclined to have more longevity, especially with some of the more respected artists in Bristol painting them.

Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022
Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022

Bogat and Asre (who goes by the name @runaway_joey on Instagram) paint alongside each other quite often, and judging from the shout-outs are obviously good friends. On the left is an unusual octopus piece spelling out BOG from Bogat, which is a little different from the long faces he normally paints.

Asre, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022
Asre, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022

Asre on the other hand gives us exactly what you’d expect, with one of his trademark faces wearing a hat, and in this one also smoking a joint. The two artists have used the space well and are becoming part of the furniture after bursting onto the scene earlier this year.

Bogat and Asre, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022
Bogat and Asre, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022

4355. M32 roundabout J3 (403)

I was fortunate enough to meet Corupt, just as he was finishing off this wonderful Stick piece. What I didn’t know until I returned a day or two later was that he still had quite a lot more work to do on it, and you can see what he added if you compare the two pictures below.

Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2022
Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2022

One thing I have noticed from watching Corupt while at work a couple of times now is that he is very diligent and careful, taking plenty of time to get things just right. In this piece he has absolutely nailed it, with a perfect background, outstanding letter shapes (so Corupt), fabulous 3D shading in black and grey stripes, sensational fills and a wonderful white highlight to help the letters pop.

Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2022
Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2022

The final touches included a yellow border and some shout-outs. The piece was a birthday tribute to his friend Rapa.