Author: scooj

I am Stephen. I live in Bristol, UK. I decided to shorten my profile...to this: Wildlife, haiku, travel, streetart, psychogeography and my family. Not necessarily in that order.

12. North Street, heating and plumbing

This self-portrait? by Brave One AKA Scotty-B is another Upfest 2015 artwork (I think).

I have not seen any of his work before, but I guess this is the joy of Upfest, which brings so many artists to one place, and allows us to enjoy their work, often for the first time.

Brave One, North Street, Bristol, July 2015
Brave One, North Street, Bristol, July 2015

Brave One is a UK based graffiti artist who has been spraying since the late ’80s. He runs a creative business that offers spray can art/graffiti art. He does private or public commissions and also runs teaching workshops and events.

I rather like this, but especially like the setting.

7/10

 

Heron

Hunched and replete

while Old Father Thames glides by;

enough fish today.

 

by Scooj

11. Small Street

In a small alley close to the NW end of Small Street is an intriguing wheatpaste by Kid Crayon. I am noticing more and more of his street art in Bristol, and rather enjoy his approach. I don’t know what it is called, but ‘blue face’ might have to do for now.

Kid Crayon, Small Street, Bristol, August 2015
Kid Crayon, Small Street, Bristol, August 2015

Kid Crayon describes himself as an illustrator or animator, but works mostly as a street artist. He considers the aesthetics, subject matter and location of a particular work, and indeed his locations tend to be low key and slightly off the beaten track.

Most of KC’s work is wheatpastes, which until I went to Paris this Spring, I had little time for, but am becoming rather fond of. I will post more. One has already been the subject of a haiku I wrote a few weeks back (20. Wheatpaste).

Kid Crayon, Small Street, Bristol, August 2015
Kid Crayon, Small Street, Bristol, August 2015

KC tends to sign his works with his initials reversed and the K mirrored.

10. Claremont Road

Another large mural from Zase and Dekor just off the Gloucester Road in Bishopston.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

I’m not sure how long it has been here, but I live nearby, and I can’t recall seeing it before.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

I would love to know the backstory to this one. The wasps are beautifully sprayed and the movement in their wings cleverly portrayed. As usual we have the trademark Zase wildstyle signature taking up a large part of the piece, but not dominating it.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

A good mural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between my finger and my thumb

I can’t dig with my

pen as Seamus does with his.

I’ll dig potatoes.

by Scooj

Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s beautiful poem ‘Digging’ which I read as a child. I love the metaphor. I love the poem.

Summer Berries

Blackberry Sunday;

while I dig the potatoes,

they have all the fun.

 

by Scooj

9. Cottrell Road

This is one of several spectacular murals by Zase in Bristol. Zase, originally from Slovakia now operates out of Bristol, and runs a business called Zase Design.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

Most of his works are large and bold, and generally pleasing to the eye. The site of this mural is fantastic, and it will be seen by thousands of people heading for Tesco or Ikea every day.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

Dekor is a French muralist specialising in photorealism. He often works on large murals with Zase. He also has interests in the hip hop culture for which Bristol is famous.

Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

It is also great to see that, although it has been here for a few years, it has remained clean. It is also interesting to note that Zase’s contact address is also in Cotterell Road.

Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

The marine theme and large scale make this a favourite.

8.5/10

 

 

 

 

On my own

When I arrive home

there’ll be no hugs and kisses;

no kids or Mrs.

 

by Scooj