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.

3417. M32 cycle path (100)

Another Christmas 2020 piece, this time from Eman who since his reasonably recent arrival in Bristol has been making his mark about the place. This piece was painted alongside Decay, and it is interesting that both artists opt for a little character in their name.

Eman, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2020
Eman, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2020

I think that this piece is an improvement on the first one that I saw in pretty much the exact same spot. The colour progression from letter to letter is nicely worked out and the blue shadow is nicely done. The character is rather cute and brings us those Christmas wishes. An all round nice piece.

Eman, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2020
Eman, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2020

This little character, also by Eman was lurking nearby.

Oliver!

.

From Lionel Bart

a musical of sheer class

starring Mark Lester

.

by Scooj

3416. Dean Lane skate park (377)

Benjimagnetic is on fire at the moment, and although I haven’t’ posted many of his recent pieces, they are in the pipeline and I hope to share them all eventually. This one is in Dean Lane skate park on a wall that has seen some wonderful low-key pieces in the past. It is not one of the big ‘statement’ walls but tends to play host to some rather more modest pieces.

Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020
Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020

I will always own up to having Benjimagnetic dyslexia. I really struggle to make out his letters. However, I suspect Paul H might be able to help, but I think I can see an R an M? And an A? – who knows. His unique style is so recognisable and his ‘ghost’ letters brilliantly disguised. A fine piece of wildstyle writing.

3415. Frome side (5)

The Frome side spot is marginally less accessible than most of the other regular spots in Bristol and certainly feels a little more edgy for an old codger like me, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort.

Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020
Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020

On a recent visit I picked up a whole load of new pieces, including this one from Dabuten Tronko – it is a bit of a beast. Unfortunately the light conditions weren’t favourable for photographing this wall and there is quite a lot of glare. I wonder if dusk might be a better time to visit. The skull and skeleton are nonetheless very nicely done, complete with yellow teeth.

Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020
Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020

What I assume to be guts form the letters HMR which is the crew of Spanish artists who are becoming so firmly established in the City. The thin green outline is brilliant and helps make the whole thing stand out. Another fine piece from Dabuten Tronko whose work often seems to be slightly off the radar.

Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020
Dabuten Tronko, Frome side, Bristol, December 2020

Flower dilemma

.

Too good to throw out

still bringing us some pleasure

much too old to keep

.

by Scooj

3414. M32 roundabout J3 (273)

Here is a recent fun piece from Ryder down at the M32 roundabout featuring characters from the Willo the Wisp children’s TV programme from the 1980s. There is always something that makes me smile about incorporating children’s characters into the subversive world of graffiti art.

Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020

The writing is, as always, perfectly painted, with nice letter shapes and horizontal colour fills that complement each other well. The 3D shadow has a vanishing point in the centre of the piece which is less common than the shadow going in one direction.

Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020

The piece is bookended with characters from the show, with Willo on the right and on the left Evil Edna, the TV set. A very nice holiday piece from Ryder.

3413. M32 Spot (100)

It was great to see that Zace was getting into the Christmas spirit down at the M32 Spot with this alien face wearing a Father Christmas hat. One of the good things about 2020 for me has been the sheer number of new artists spraying their work in Bristol of which Zace was one.

Zace, M32 Spot, Bristol, December 2020
Zace, M32 Spot, Bristol, December 2020

I think the best part of these new artists is the diversity they bring. One might think that the ‘market’ was flooded, but as with all art, there are no limits to the variety of styles and subjects that people bring with them. I am really looking forward to watching Zace develop over the coming year.

Dinner is served

.

‘Most impossible

feeding family of four

without complaining

.

by Scooj

3412. Brunel Way bridge (84)

When I first saw this piece I thought it might have been by Mudra, mainly because of the bright colours and capped character, but I couldn’t find his recognisable signature anywhere, so I had to think again. It is in fact by Dit Oner, whose range of styles is to be admired.

Dit Oner, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Dit Oner, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is a writing-character piece with the character being incorporated as one of the letters. The letters are beautifully designed and filled and the little white highlights help with the 3D effect. The character too is very nicely done and integrated into the writing. I have my doubts however about the yellow background. it simply doesn’t work for me, just a bit yucky and insipid. perhaps a darker colour might have worked better. Nonetheless a fine piece of writing from the Spaniard.

3411. Dean Lane skate park (376)

There was quite a good show of Christmas pieces this year including this colourful beauty by Taboo in Dean Lane skate park. As we expect, Taboo’s unconventional writing style challenges us and pushed the boundaries of what we are accustomed to. I love that about his work, he really is leading the way by thinking outside the box.

Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020
Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020

Although his style is progressive, the format is more conventional with a character, in this instance Father Christmas, combined with the graffiti writing. Santa is looking a little worse for wear, enjoying some Christmas bubbly but the writing, spelling out TABOO, is uplifting and colourful to reflect the Christmas spirit. This is probably my favourite Christmas piece year.