Spring’s prelude so green,
a sight for sore eyes after
the long wet grey days.
by Scooj
134. Princes Place
I had a great stroll along the Gloucester Road this morning, and photographed loads of street art, some of it very recent, other pieces, like this one, that have been around for some time.
This area would appear to be one of 3Dom’s favourite haunts, and there numerous works by him nearby. This one ‘when philosophers are kings’ dates back to at least 2010. The colours have faded a little, but it really has something about it.
It is a great wall, and I am a little surprised that it hasn’t been sprayed over. It is interesting that 3Dom’s work is rarely tagged or marked, I guess his pieces are respected, and rightly so.
7/10
Digital social media
We three, thick as thieves
forty years ago, at last
are reconnected.
by Scooj
133. North Street, The Steam Crane
At the far Eastern end of North Street, where it joins with Dean Lane, you will find The Steam Crane pub. There is a side alley that gives access to the rear of the pub, and on one of the walls is this wonderful piece by Pakone, which was created as part of Upfest 2015.
Pakone is an artist from Brest in France and is a member of the C29 crew. This piece is difficult to capture in photographs because of the narrow setting, but his detail and depth are beautifully crafted and show his dream-like ideas.
This was a bit of a hidden gem on my most recent wanderings around the area.
8/10
132. Cheltenham Road, Loans 2 go
Another Stokes Croft piece by Sepr on a shop shutter. This has been around for some while and is beginning to fade a little. It is rather difficult to photograph, because there are normally a couple of cars parked in front of the shop.
I like his signature in the number plate, and his “Yo Deams” comment in the top right (Deam is another local street artist). This piece reminds me a lot of the one Sepr did in St Pauls, probably around the same time.
Sepr remains one of my favourite Bristol street artists, but this work is not his best.
Plenty more Sepr pieces to come…
6.5/10
Then and now
Butterfly dreams in
Winter, I wonder how to
gaze once more in awe.
by Scooj
- A direct reference to and reflection of my first ever Haiku. I think the first is better.
Long day
A weary train home
after an early start; I’m
utterly knackered.
By Scooj
131. Dean Lane (5)
What I particularly like about Dean Lane is that it is a quiet residential road that spills out into North Street, the hub of Upfest street art. The spill-over art and graffiti that can be found in Dean Lane is more understated and less showy. It is art that you might stumble upon, rather than actively seek out.
The Bristol scene on these gates was completed last September by a local scenic artist and prop/model maker, Elaine Carr. The subtle piece incorporates some of the iconic buildings found in Bristol, and really brightens up these ordinary gates.
Note to self…I must do a gallery of all the interpretations of the Clifton Suspension Bridge by street artists as a Bristol Special some time.
6.5/10
Modesty
Give me the smallest
space and there I will try to
grow, untroubling.
by Scooj
- with a nod to John Clare (I Am!) for the final word.
130. British Road
Another wonderful My Dog Sighs work that was painted at the same time as Upfest 2015, but not directly as part of the event. The owner of the house (on the corner of British Road and Victoria Place) asked My Dog Sighs if he would paint the ‘Hugs’ character on the side of her house, and this is the result.
Although quite different in subject matter to his eyes or his tin cans, there is something simple and charming about ‘Hugs’. I am a big fan, and very much hope that My Dog Sighs will make a return for the 2016 Upfest.
8/10
Natural adventures 