Laic217 has been smashing it for years now, and I continue to enjoy the ride he is taking us on. His improvement and development continues from piece to piece, always getting better and more interesting to look at.
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
This piece is full of sharp detail, in the flames, and the folds of the fabric but most noticeably in the reflections of the skeleton’s glasses. There is a lot of precision in this piece, and the mask being worn is amazing. An L on the hat for LAIC rounds the piece off nicely. There is always a home for every piece I find by the artist on Natural Adventures.
From the first time I saw his work, I have always liked the originality shown by Creamylines, and finding this piece on one of the columns under Brunel Way recently was a special surprise. There is a basic formula to many of Creamylines’ pieces that includes a sun with rays sitting over a landscape scene divided up by black lines.
Creamylines, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2024
I am always reminded of stained-glass windows when I see these pieces, for obvious reasons, and there is a calm, tranquil quality to the work – you can almost hear the cries of seagulls in the air. Another aspect of this piece is the suggested faces that emerge through the piece, adding another layer of interest. A great column piece from Creamylines.
Happy leap day to you, the curious vagaries of time eh? Last week I trailed this week as being the last selection of doors from the beautiful hilltop town of Montefalco in Umbria, Italy, well it seems I was getting a little ahead of myself, and after today’s doors there will be one more trip to the town before perhaps sharing some doors closer to home. My apologies for inadvertently misleading you.
This week’s selection of doors were located near or in the church of Saint Agostino, a short distance west of the main square. The church, a modestly presented building, was quite empty of people and clutter except for a couple of caskets containing the dried and preserved remains of disciples of St Chiara of the Cross. These displays are quite common in Italian churches, but always seem to be a little bit at odds with English sensibility. The caskets have hinged doors which is why I have included them. I hope you enjoy these and the other doors in today’s selection:
Door with a bunny-bottom garland, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024A pair of doors and street tap, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Stunning modern door design, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024A fine arched door, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Entrance doors to the church of Saint Agostino, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Casket with hinged door, containing remains of Chiarella and Illuminata, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Casket with hinged door, containing remains, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Wonderful panelled arched door, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Stylish modern door, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024Well-used and weathered doors, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy, July 2024
So that’s it for another week, and next time will definitely be the last of the doors from this delightful Umbrian town… I promise.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Kid Crayon, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2024
Kid Crayon holds a special place in the evolution of Natural Adventures, as it was his paste ups that drew me into the exciting and mysterious world of street art in Bristol, with posts such as this first one, my 11th post, or this one of the boy eating cheese. I developed a love for wheatpastes because of Kid Crayon, who eventually turned his attention to painting with spray cans.
Kid Crayon, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2024
Kid Crayon is nowhere near as prolific as he used to be, but this is probably a good sign, because it means that his work as an illustrator and animator is keeping his busy and bringing in an income. In this bright and colourful piece Kid Crayon has written his name in letters with a variety of fills, and the eye is drawn to the character in place of the letter ‘O’. A fun and most excellent piece reminding us all what a fabulously creative artist he is.
Zake is something of a phenomenon. His output rate and the quality of his work are quite exceptional, and he is always coming up with original ideas based around his central character style. Even though I big him up frequently on Natural Adventures, I think his modesty lends itself to him being a bit of an unsung hero. Well, I am singing!
Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024
This face is perhaps a little smoother than some of his recent intricate works, but still presents his mastery of light and shade to create depth. It is sometimes difficult with his work to remember that it is painted on a flat wall, such is the 3D effect he creates. They just keep on coming, with no sign of letting up. Great work from the PWA man.
It is always great fun to come across the hapless Mr Underbite, looking as confused and ever so slightly miserable as usual. This is not the first time Mr Underbiter has appeared on this particular wall, which seems so very well suited to the proportions of the face.
Mr Underbite, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2024
The letters MUB refer to the artist and the character’s name. I suspect that this was a quick one, as the underlying piece (by Ryder, from recollection) is still partially visible, and it is a simple two-tone affair. I very much hope that we het to see plenty more of this fine character work as things warm up in 2024.
Mr Underbite, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2024
Just in case you miss the piece, a nearby slap (sticker) reminds us that Mr Underbite comes in many sizes and forms on our streets.
Saor, formerly known as Flava136, is an artist at the top of his game and one who paints in a similar style to Epok. He consistently pushes the boundaries of design, precision and interesting content. Saor often paints with his NTS crew mates, Mudra and Kosc, and this piece was part of a recent collaboration on the north wall of the M32 roundabout.
Saor, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2024
There is a lot to like about this outstanding piece of writing. The letters spell out Saor in Black Grey and white, with some subtle but impactful tints of green. There is a sense of geometry creating a framework from which some more organic shapes and forms are trying to emerge. Perhaps a tension between precision and softness that grabs the attention. The can control that Saor has is second to none and this is a magnificent piece of graffiti writing. We are blessed.
There are some artists who, for one reason or another make a significant impact on me. Others will drift by, because their work, if I am being honest, simply doesn’t have any ‘wow’ factor, or show any signs that it is likely to. I guess that is being a little harsh, but some artists won’t and don’t appear to have the desire to improve, others might have loads of headroom and gradually piece by piece get better, developing their style and content. I guess that one thing they all have in common is the enjoyment they get out of slapping some paint on a wall.
Noise, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2024
Noise is an artist who grabbed my attention from the very first piece I saw, with his large chunky letters making a loud visual noise. In this piece the nicely constructed letters are beautifully filled with a series of horizontal blue shades with clever stripe transitions and some superb icicle drips on the letter tops. This is a really nice piece, and adds to an ever growing portfolio… time for a gallery soon I think.
Pura Decadencia, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
Every once in a while, Pura Decadencia drops a piece as if just to remind us that she is still out there. It is a pity that she doesn’t paint on the streets more often, because her quirky writing and vampire teeth add breadth to the spectrum of styles, nationalities and content of Bristol’s street/graffiti art culture.
Pura Decadencia, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
I think that this might be the tightest piece I have seen from Pura Decadencia, with nice bubble letters a strong yellow border/drop shadow and some lovely fills, with great transitions between the colours. Of course, not Pura Decadencia piece is complete without a set of vampire teeth drawing blood. I hope we don’t have to wait too long before her next piece.
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