6473. M32 Spot (195)

Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024
Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024

I first saw this portrait piece from a distance, and couldn’t for life of me think who the artist was and it was only when I got close enough to take some pictures that I could see it was by Bogat, of course. There is a little clue in the central panel of the baseball cap.

Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024
Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024

This is an archetypal cartoon character piece the likes of which you might see anywhere in the UK, what is a little different from Bogat in this one is the speech bubble with the rather unsavoury words “Ya mum smells like prawn cocktail”. And there we have it… subversion, art, expression, talent and fun all plastered up on a small column under the M32. It is what it is all about.

6472. Greenbank (137)

Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

There are several graffiti writers in Bristol who simply write their letters in a broadly similar style and format from piece to piece. Nips is one of these artists, and her forte is in the colours and fill patterns she chooses.

Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

Photographed late afternoon on a rather sunny day, the photographs have a bit of glare and probably don’t do the piece justice. Nips has used yellows, oranges and pinks, and blended them skilfully throughout the piece. Some contrasting squiggles and fabulous white feature lines finish what piece well. I am an admirer of her work, and have yet to meet the artist… it is simply a matter of time.

6471. Lower Approach Road (13)

Merny, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, October 2024
Merny, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, October 2024

This wonderful piece by Merny has been outside Bristol Temple Meads station for ages, but I only recently managed to photograph it. The problem with the station area is that I tend to save the pieces there for when I am going to be travelling by rail, but of course I never leave enough time to photograph them.

Merny, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, October 2024
Merny, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, October 2024

Painted in 2022, the tender piece depicts a man leaning over another who is in a sleeping bag, saying the words “I’ll wake you up when it is over John”. I am not sure what the piece is about but I amguessung that it is a commentary on the state of rough sleeping in our country. The naive style that Merny uses some makes the message even more poignant. A thought-provoking piece.

6470. Cumberland Basin

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

At the time this post is published, I hope to be casting a line into the surf of Lantic Bay, and picking out the occasional bass. A man can dream can’t he? As I plod along from day to day, week to week, year to year, it is comforting to know that Mr Draws is doing the same, and his regular drumbeat of pieces has become something of a landmark or reference point for me.

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

Mr Draws has painted this wonderful chrome piece pierced with three chunky yellow arrows. A deep drop shadow and pink highlights help the letters pop, and the blue background works surprisingly well with the rest of the piece. All the colours of the piece are not in my view natural bedfellows, in particular pink and yellow, but mr Draws has carried it off, so I tip my hat in his direction. Nice work from Mr Draws.

6469. St Werburghs tunnel (454)

Face 1st and Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
Face 1st and Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024

I have an early start tomorrow to catch the right tide, and so am writing this post late last night, after a long day… forgive any incoherence. This is a wonderful collaboration from Face 1st and Zake in the tunnel, which I think was augmented by Chill, but his piece wasn’t there when I photographed the collaboration.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024

The piece on the left is a happy girl laughing face by Face 1st, a classic from the artist. I learned a short while ago that he has moved to Herefordshire, so I expect we won’t be seeing quite so much of his work in the city as we have been used to , but he reassured me that he is not all that far away and will of course visit. He seemed to be very happy with his move, which is a good thing.

Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024

To the right is a fabulous and rather sinister character by Zake, painted in his inimitable style. The light blue shading of the lower surfaces of the face are inspirational, creating an amazing light effect. The pointy nose and large canines point to an evil persona, or at least that is how it comes across. Some great fun from the PWA pair.

Why we do it

Fishing, Pentewan Beach, Cornwall, October 2024
Fishing, Pentewan Beach, Cornwall, October 2024

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Everlasting hope

meditation, in the zone

at one with nature

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by Scooj

6468. L Dub (57)

Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024

Oh what a beauty! I was beginning to wonder if Grimes might have moved away, as I hadn’t seen any new pieces from him for a little while, and then I came across this stunning new piece at L Dub. I can’t really put into words how good I think this piece is, and it is especially good, as I think it was his second attempt in this spot over a couple of days. The first one I think got painted over almost immediately, which was unlucky timing.

Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024

The intricate fills in the blue letters are worthy of note on their own, but when you look at the whole thing, it is bursting with energy, movement and colour. The letters spell GRIME and are given centre stage through the deployment of a magnificent background of pink checks and an orange plasma beam. Totally brilliant. Bravo!

6467. M32 Spot (194)

ESKA, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024

This is an utterly magnificent piece taking up the whole board under the M32 by travelling artist ESKA. It is one of at least three pieces he has dropped while staying I;Bristol, and possibly more, but Being in Cornwall at the moment, I have lost touch a little.

ESKA, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2024

This epic piece is a feast for the eyes, with a stunning colour palette of goods and silvers. There is so much going here with the combined writing and symbolism. To be appreciated fully it really needs to be seen up close because there is a lot of detail that isn’t captured with the full image, and I now rather regret not taking close-ups. ESKA has been a breath of fresh air o; the Bristol scene.

Freeloaders

Fish lice on a corking wrasse, Pallas Cove, Cornwall, October 2024

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Uninvited guests

sucking the life out of host

and hitching a ride

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by Scooj

6466. M32 roundabout J3 (631)

 

Scrapyardspec, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Scrapyardspec, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

I am not too sure where Scrapyardspecs hails from, but he seems to be a regular visitor to Bristol leaving behind occasional characters Painted in his unique style, filling up those awkward spaces, because the versatility of his characters.

Scrapyardspec, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Scrapyardspec, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

This square piece contains a three-eyed variant of Scrapyardspec’s character, painted with the wobbly lines so indicative of his style. the zany character has a wagging tongue, another common feature of his work. All part of the spectrum of street art we are blessed to see in Bristol.