.
In the morning chill
fathers in holiday shorts
queue up for croissants
content in the knowledge that
their families aren’t up yet.
.
by Scooj.
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.
961. Armada Place (11)
There are some well-worn hoardings in Armada Place which appear to be a favourite site for Thelochnessmonster. In my experience, much of what goes up here tends to get tagged or dogged pretty quickly, so it is always nice to get a complete piece.
Please don’t ask me what is going on in this piece, it looks complicated, but I think there is a protest behind it all somewhere. On his Instagram feed Thelochnessmonster labels the picture ‘back 2 basics’, which is a bit cryptic for those not in the know.
The use of so few colours works really well for this piece and he manages to blend characters with abstract shapes and squiggles with skill. I like the piece…it leaves me wanting to know more.
960. Wilder Street (18)
This is another little post-Upfest ‘gift’ this time from Hide2 in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol. It is one of three pieces on Wilder street, the others being from Aintzane Crucet and Deamze, courtesy of the curated wall from Where the Wall.
This is not Hide2’s Upfest piece, which will be posted in due course, but it is nonetheless a wonderful work of wildstyle writing and of a really high standard. The colour choices are excellent and definition and shadows in his lettering is highly accomplished.
Hide2 is based in Malaga, Spain and I highly recommend a quick look at his Instagram feed. All good.
R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.
.
On the horizon
hugging the ocean surface
a modest rainbow.
.
by Scooj
959. Upfest 2017 (25)
Bristol really does love its foxes, so to see one appear as part of Upfest is always very welcome. This beautiful piece is by Bex Glover, a contemporary artist and illustrator who runs a freelance illustration and graphic design practice in Bristol.
From a viewers perspective, there are so many things to look at in this work. Glover’s illustration skills are clear to see and the abstract backdrop brings the fox into sharp focus. A nice touch in the haunches of the fox hints at a yin yang symbol. The fox looks wily, just as it should and ready to move off at the slightest disturbance.
This is a calming piece with superb colour selection which may have gone unnoticed by many visitors as it is just off the main road and set back just a little. Last year this spot was occupied by a wonderful stencil by DinDin.
958. Upfest 2017 (24)
One of the stars of Upfest 2017, and quite rightly so, was Dzia. This incredible artist has been brightening up streets all over the world with his beautifully drawn/sprayed animals with a style so unique and recognisable. We have been lucky enough to get this robin.
On the face of it, his pieces are constructed with lines, almost like doodles that, when brought together, create a magnificent whole. The pieces he creates look like they have come out of an A4 sketchpad and yet they are scaled-up significantly and work just as well. There is often a lot of white space in his work, but again this works in his favour.
This wall had been reserved for Inkie, but for whatever reason he didn’t fill the space, so Dzia got an extra wall and Bristol got this magnificent robin. This was actually his second piece and supplementary to his main piece which is at the Red Point climbing centre. I still haven’t gone there to photograph it yet, but when I do I will be posting it here.
I feel like it is a real privilege to have one of his pieces in Bristol, but to get two is simply being spoilt.
957. Upfest 2017 (23)
Stefania Gala is an Italian tattoo artist who has only recently turned her talent to street art. Her first piece I think was from earlier this year and shows what a future she can have in street art should she wish to follow it up.
In the Biography notes of the Upfest programme, she says ‘Recently I had the opportunity to paint my first wall in an abandoned place and I had the great joy of being able to express myself artistically in a place to be revalued. In order to get rid of the ‘canvas’ and to give my artwork to others, unconditionally.’ I like that sentiment very much.
This piece for Upfest is really beautiful and captivating and interestingly does not look like a tattoo piece reworked…she is creating something special in its own right as street art. It is a clever piece, using a 3D effect to place the subject in the box really skilfully.
I hope she spends more time on her street art and comes back to Bristol for next year’s Upfest.
Curse
From this day forward
life will never be the same;
you are an adult.
by Scooj
956. Upfest 2017 (22)
A great thing about Upfest is that it gives us all the chance to see emerging local artists and it gives those young artists some great exposure. Lisa Allen is a Bristol artist who started to create urban art only last year, and here we have a stencil piece with a pop art feel to it and the surrounding decorations give it something of a 1980s touch.
A bright and witty piece which makes good use of the metre square format. I very much look forward to seeing more of her work on the streets of Bristol – perhaps as more ‘legal’ walls are created.
955. Upfest 2017 (21)
I had been waiting for a long time to at last meet up with Mr Klue, and the one place you can be more confident that such a meeting will take place is at Upfest. I found him just as he was finishing off this beautiful abstract piece in a corner of the South Street Park site.
Mr Klue is a disarmingly modest man whose style of abstract work is unparalleled in Bristol. I’m not entirely sure he knows how gifted he is, and his works convey great skill and thoughtfulness. I particularly like this one with its wispy smoke and swirly shapes shifting to a vanishing point.
I don’t know how we got onto the subject, but Mr Klue told me that he does all his drawings in biro…an implement I can’t stand, but one that allows his work to flow, he likes the feel of it. Now there’s something you didn’t know.
A great piece from a great young man who I was so very pleased to catch up with. I hope our paths cross again soon.
Natural adventures 