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.

5365. Sparke Evans Park (73)

Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023
Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023

In the spring of this year, I became aware of some seagull (these days simply known as gulls) portraits appearing in most of the north Bristol graffiti spots. I haven’t posted any until now, because I wasn’t sure who was responsible for them. It turns out (with thanks to Paul H) that the artist is called Mr Crawls.

Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023
Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023

The gull, which has a very pleasing design formed out of a couple of circles, fits into the kind of mega-tag category, in which the basic design changes little from piece to piece, and the stamp/brand becomes highly recognisable – other artists who do this include TES (Slim Pickings), Asre and Mr Underbite. The gull looks like he is a little worse for wear, and rather American in his fishing-style bucket hat. Expect to see more from Mr Crawls.

Slack water

.

Opposing forces

river flow meets high water

equilibrium

.

by Scooj

5364. Dean Lane skate park (620)

Todoaciem, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Todoaciem, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023

Although totally unplanned, I have managed to post two consecutive pieces from the same wall. The previous one was by Dibz, with his tag-style graffiti, and this one from Todoaciem is a delightful calligraffiti script piece, which is really rather unusual.

Todoaciem, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Todoaciem, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023

Todoaciem and Stivs probably jointly hold the crown for calligraffiti in Bristol, and you can understand why. This piece takes the regular standard form of calligraffiti to a new level by introducing a script-style font and the result is really effective. Painted on a blue and green bubble background, the whole thing is a delicious feast for the eye.

5363. Dean Lane skate park (619)

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023

Back in old Blighty, but what a disappointment – it has been windy and raining almost constantly since we landed at Heathrow yesterday. I knew we should have gone away for two weeks. The only thing I have missed is the dog, and a ready supply of street/graffiti art to keep me sane.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023

This is a remarkable and clever piece from Dibz which has been painted to look like a tag drawn with a marker pen, and just to illustrate the point he has included a character hand with a pen to the right of the writing. The tag-style writing spells out Dibz One, and, as if we needed further evidence, demonstrates the depth of Dibz’ supreme skill.

In-flight entertainment

.

Fragmented snippets

overheard conversations

other people’s lives

.

by Scooj

5362. M32 roundabout J3

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023

Super-quick one this morning, travelling day. Benjimagnetic has painted this super piece on the M32 roundabout, full of vibrancy, colour and movement. It probably spells BEN, I think I can see it, because that is what he tends to write.

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023

This might be the most colourful Benjimagnetic piece that I have seen – perhaps he was using up dregs. All the signature elements are here in this piece. Gotta go. Normal service should resume tomorrow.

5361. Brunel Way (216)

Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2023
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2023

A really short one today, written last night, while trying to sort out the impacts from our cancelled flight home to Bristol, and packing etc. Mote has done a wonderful thing with this large, rather cuddly monster, complete with four legs and an underslung jaw with a couple of goofy teeth.

Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2023
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2023

The fills are dreamy and the design quirky and unique. There is something very loveable about this monster, and the execution is top drawer.

Cancellation

.

Return flight cancelled

administrative nightmare

trying to stay calm

.

by Scooj

5360. Peel Street Green (15)

Lupa, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023
Lupa, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023

At long last Lupa makes her debut on Natural Adventures, and not before time. I have a whole bunch of pieces by her, but for reasons unknown to anyone, including myself, this is the first here on this blog.

Lupa, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023
Lupa, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023

There is a freedom and joy in Lupa’s work that lifts the heart. In this piece the blue letters are set on a pink background – it’s that winning pink/blue combo working hard once again. The fills create  great sense of depth, with their cosmic appearance, and the white details add interest as well. The three shapes above the ‘U’ have the appearance of a crown, in this appealing piece. I also really like the slightly rough and ready presentation, which allows a freedom of expression, that some more precise and on-point pieces occasionally lack. A great first to share with you.

Lupa has been decorating our walls for a few years with her colourful letters

5359. Sparke Evans Park (72)

Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023

A shiny and rather wonderful piece of calligraffiti from Todoaciem, spelling out CIEM on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park alongside his Sunday Lovers friends. This is a rather special piece from Todoaciem, and it looks like he spent a lot of time on it, with some clever fills and attention to detail.

Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023

The letters are filled with two tones of yellow, giving the effect of being shiny metal, perhaps gold. This sparkling effect is further augmented with some subtle little stars spread around the letters. The blue borders and drop shadow work really well against the yellow, and overall this is a very strong and assured piece of calligraffiti.