Well, I rather set this piece up yesterday, when I said that I would be posting another piece by Marckinetic today, and here it is, a magnificent and unusual looking piece from the Bristol to Bath cycle path at Greenbank.
Marckinetic, Greenbank, Bristol, May 2022
As with yesterday’s piece, I struggle to find any recognisable letters, although I can kind of see MORFO, which I am sure is wrong, maybe it is MARC. Perhaps the most eye-catching element to this abstract piece is the fill on the lower half of the ‘letters’. The cosmic scene, complete with clouds and stars, is quite magnificent and leaves a strong impression. The nicely buffed wall and blue cloudy, spotty background contrasts well with the main piece. More in the can from Marckinetic.
This wonderfully colourful piece, by Oma, was painted as part of a Bristol Womxn Mural Collective paint jam back in May 2022, and Leonard Lane really is a perfect venue for these kind of gatherings.
Oma, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2022
I have only seen a couple of pieces by Oma, who usually paints alongside her partner Zake, and has done so in this instance, you can see his ‘moon face’ behind her piece. Oma has developed and improved her style, and each time she paints she manages to come up with a whole new idea. The portrait is a little unsettling if you look closely. The subject has her arm down her throat and is pointing to her yellow intestine, but by way of explanation, the script text next to the piece says ‘feel your emotions’. I would truly love to see more of Oma’s work – fingers crossed.
I have only recently become aware of Marckinetic and his unique pieces, but now I seem to be seeing them everywhere. I am having to conclude that he is an established artist who has only recently moved to Bristol. How else could I have not had his work on my radar?
Marckinetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2022
I haven’t seen enough of his work to know whether his pieces are some kind of cryptic writing or simply interesting abstract studies in landscape format. Give me a little time and I will find out. This piece is made up of two colour elements: some yellow/orange and pink/purple blocks, and a network of thinner blue arrows running through them. The whole object is given a solid black 3D shadow that very effectively lifts the piece from the wall. Black and blue dots fill the available background space. This is a really nicely constructed piece from Marckinetic that has been expertly finished. Watch this space for more from the artists… maybe tomorrow.
This piece by Serm, tells a story not only about his work, but also about the street art scene in Bristol, or any other place with a graffiti culture. As a photographer and chronicler of street art and graffiti in our city, I and others like me, have a pretty good grasp of what is going on, of who painted what and when. It is an earned privilege to have this overview, but it is also a rare one. Most artists, quite rightly, are interested in finding a spot where they can paint their new idea, without much consideration for what was there before.
I came to photograph a new piece by Petro, but instead found this lovely piece by Serm. It is obvious that Serm didn’t know that the Petro piece was so new, otherwise he would have perhaps found another space. Serm has, however, broken a convention by painting over half a piece, which is considered to be a bit rude. A collaboration might have been a better option to paint over Petro’s piece. Enough background.
Serm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022
I have only seen a handful of Serm pieces and none of them with a character, so this was rather special. The writing is skilfully done in white with some shades of grey fills, but overall rather minimalist. The colour comes in the shape of the Yosemite Sam character on the right-hand side.
Serm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022
I am minded to do a gallery of cartoon characters, just for fun, because there have been so many painted by artists over the years, and all of them worth celebrating (of course time will be the limiting factor). The last time I saw a Yosemite Sam was in New York in October 2017, by Crash. This one by Serm compares very well to that one.
It has been more than just a little fun watching Mote’s work develop over the last few months. His characteristic monsters and beasts are becoming something of a feature in many of the popular spots as well in some rather more remote places.
Mote, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022
Mote’s designs are all incredibly original, and he never seems to paint the same character twice. His can control is really good and all of his works, which tend to be quite small, have some fine detail and are on point. This one on the M32 roundabout, his first in the spot, is one of his best yet.
Klashwhensober is an artist I like very much, he is a kind and thoughtful man who uses his art, in part, as a way of being mindful, of taking care of his mental health. It is for exactly the same reason that I write this blog, and collect all the content for it.
Klashwhensober, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2022
I think that Klashwhensober has absolutely smashed it with this piece along the cycle path. In my view it is his best piece to date where all the elements have come together perfectly. The colour palette is superb, the fills absolutely amazing and the finishing is near perfect. Klashwhensober has certainly set a high bar with this one.
Natural adventures 