Month: December 2023

5732. Manchester, Northern Quarter

Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023
Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023

So I am rounding off 2023 with this wonderful piece by Mr Cenz in Manchester, which reminds me that I still haven’t posted his incredible piece from Stokes Croft in Bristol (note to self, dig it out and post it).

Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023
Mr Cenz, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023

This piece, like so much of Mr Cenz’ work is an absolute beauty. The mix of colours combined with the outstanding portrait artwork creates a stunning picture with photorealistic and abstract elements. There are other artists who use similar techniques to create interesting and beautiful portraits, including N4T4 and our very own Hazard. A fine way to round off the year.

West Wittering wind

.

End of year cobwebs

well and truly blown away

hoping for better

.

by Scooj

5731. Manchester, Northern Quarter

TEAone, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023
TEAone, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023

It seems a little odd to be rounding off the year with a couple of pieces from Manchester, rather than from Bristol, but that is how they have rolled off the production line. In a way, 2023 has been a special year for me travelling around the country, and I have managed to find one or two pieces of street art along the way, including this beauty from TEAone in Manchester.

TEAone, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023
TEAone, Northern Quarter, Manchester, November 2023

I have only ever seen a handful of pieces by TEAone, but every one of them is an absolute stunner, and this is no different. TEAone has painted a colourful market scene which feels like it might be from a Mediterranean country – certainly a little warmer than a chilly November Manchester that is for sure.

5730. M32 Cycle path (244)

Mr Keos, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Keos, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023

This piece by Mr Keos, was definitely worthy of inclusion in Natural Adventures, as it is rather different from any writing that we usually see in the city. Looking at his Instagram feed, it looks like Mr Keos paints all over the country and was simply passing through Bristol in December nd dropped a couple of pieces.

Mr Keos, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Keos, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023

His letters are big, bold and distinctive, no chance of any confusion here. The work oozes experience from an artist who appears to be very prolific. The chrome letters stand out nicely on the orange background and the subtle black feature patterns at the base of the letters turn this from a good piece of graffiti writing into something rather better. I’ll be looking out for at least one other piece he painted in Bristol.

5729. River Avon (55)

The Mole, River Avon, Bristol, December 2023
The Mole, River Avon, Bristol, December 2023

I walked past this piece by The Mole, when I first saw it, thinking that it was an old one that I had posted before, but I did a double-take and returned to it, because although it was similar to another piece by the artist, it was new and in a different location. It was one that nearly got away.

The Mole, River Avon, Bristol, December 2023
The Mole, River Avon, Bristol, December 2023

The writing says INCA, referring to the artist’s full name Inca the Mole. Painted in colours that he often uses, the letters are supported by the mole character. The Mole generally paints three forms of his work, The mole alone, the letters INCA or, as in this case, a writing/character combination. The piece is nicely rounded off with peace symbols, which usually accompany The Mole’s work. A fine and rather unexpected piece, from the frequent visitor to Bristol.

Act 2023

.

Lights fade to zero

actors exit, scene changes

all the world’s a stage

.

by Scooj

5728. M32 roundabout J3 (539)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I would say that we haven’t seen nearly enough of Stivs’ work in the latter half of this year, so it was particularly gratifying to find this piece on the M32 roundabout, and even though it didn’t last very long, it was noticed.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The calligraffiti writing was painted as a birthday piece for his brother Kelvin, and I can’t really think of a better present than a tribute piece of artwork like this, I know I’d be made up by such a gesture. The beautifully proportioned letters are given an extra lift from the wall by the clever use of  the green drop shadow, which itself has a black border. Care and attention was given to the piece, as demonstrated by the sand coloured background and subtle wisps of paint around the letters. Great work from Stivs.

5727. M32 roundabout J3 (538)

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Smak has rounded off his year with some style, producing a string of outstanding pieces over the last six months or so, with this one, a paint jam piece for Pekoe’s birthday being the latest. This is an absolute classic, written in Smak’s distinctive style, where each letter is afforded plenty of space for elaboration.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The letters are painted in greens and yellows, which is usually a winning combination of colours. The letters SMAK can clearly be seen, and have been stunningly designed. When I see a complex piece of graffiti writing like this, I am left utterly awestruck by the artist’s ability to create such a thing of beauty with spray cans. A triumphant piece from Smak.

5726. Frome Side (27)

 

Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Two more pieces from the incredible RBF Rugrats paint jam in November celebrating Bnie’s birthday and Vozie’s baby. Here the two combine to give us a glimpse of their awesome artwork. As a combination, these two paint really well together and seem to get the best out of each other.

Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Both artists have adopted the colour palette used for the paint jam and both have included characters from the to cartoon show, Dil and Tommy Pickles. I was just a little too old to enjoy the show, but my kids used to watch it when they were little. The accomplished piece of writing from Bnie is filled with four horizontal shades of  pink/purple, creating depth and interest in the work.

Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

To the right of Bnie’s letters, Vozie has reflected the fills in her own distinct lettering. Both have also created a complex letter border of green with white and yellow highlights, a black drop shadow, completed with an orange outline finishing the piece off beautifully. Great work from this talented duo.

 

 

5725. St Werburghs tunnel (393)

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

Phour is one of those graffiti writers whose work either lasts for only a day or two in the more popular spots, but because he paints in some unusual places, some of his work stays visible for months and months. This piece, in the tunnel didn’t last very long at all (I think, but I am now starting to doubt myself).

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

His strong letters and colour selections always draw attention. This one is perhaps a little more sophisticated than it might look at first glance. There are three layers of green, very nicely presented with drips falling from one to another layer. A black drop shadow and white border round the piece off very nicely.