5728. M32 roundabout J3 (539)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I would say that we haven’t seen nearly enough of Stivs’ work in the latter half of this year, so it was particularly gratifying to find this piece on the M32 roundabout, and even though it didn’t last very long, it was noticed.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The calligraffiti writing was painted as a birthday piece for his brother Kelvin, and I can’t really think of a better present than a tribute piece of artwork like this, I know I’d be made up by such a gesture. The beautifully proportioned letters are given an extra lift from the wall by the clever use of  the green drop shadow, which itself has a black border. Care and attention was given to the piece, as demonstrated by the sand coloured background and subtle wisps of paint around the letters. Great work from Stivs.

5727. M32 roundabout J3 (538)

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Smak has rounded off his year with some style, producing a string of outstanding pieces over the last six months or so, with this one, a paint jam piece for Pekoe’s birthday being the latest. This is an absolute classic, written in Smak’s distinctive style, where each letter is afforded plenty of space for elaboration.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The letters are painted in greens and yellows, which is usually a winning combination of colours. The letters SMAK can clearly be seen, and have been stunningly designed. When I see a complex piece of graffiti writing like this, I am left utterly awestruck by the artist’s ability to create such a thing of beauty with spray cans. A triumphant piece from Smak.

5726. Frome Side (27)

 

Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Two more pieces from the incredible RBF Rugrats paint jam in November celebrating Bnie’s birthday and Vozie’s baby. Here the two combine to give us a glimpse of their awesome artwork. As a combination, these two paint really well together and seem to get the best out of each other.

Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Both artists have adopted the colour palette used for the paint jam and both have included characters from the to cartoon show, Dil and Tommy Pickles. I was just a little too old to enjoy the show, but my kids used to watch it when they were little. The accomplished piece of writing from Bnie is filled with four horizontal shades of  pink/purple, creating depth and interest in the work.

Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

To the right of Bnie’s letters, Vozie has reflected the fills in her own distinct lettering. Both have also created a complex letter border of green with white and yellow highlights, a black drop shadow, completed with an orange outline finishing the piece off beautifully. Great work from this talented duo.

 

 

5725. St Werburghs tunnel (393)

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

Phour is one of those graffiti writers whose work either lasts for only a day or two in the more popular spots, but because he paints in some unusual places, some of his work stays visible for months and months. This piece, in the tunnel didn’t last very long at all (I think, but I am now starting to doubt myself).

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

His strong letters and colour selections always draw attention. This one is perhaps a little more sophisticated than it might look at first glance. There are three layers of green, very nicely presented with drips falling from one to another layer. A black drop shadow and white border round the piece off very nicely.

5724. M32 Cycle path (243)

Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I haven’t seen many pieces by Todoaciem this year, and I hope that his lack of painting on the streets is because he has other important things happening in his life, such as employment or family etc. The rarity makes each piece even more enjoyable to find, and this piece of calligraffiti alongside the M32 motorway is an absolute belter.

Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The writing spells out CIEM ONE in rich gold and purple tones, the colours of royalty. A light dusting of light blue serves to lift the letters a little. Todoaciem is a master of calligraffiti, and his letter proportions and shapes are outstanding, to leave us with a superb example of this style of writing.

5723. M32 roundabout J3 (537)

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

There is just enough time to squeeze one more utterly awesome piece from Dibz and Jody before the year is out. Although not overtly Christmassy, this piece does have a sense of celebration and festival about it.

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The wildstyle writing is from Dibz, and has a camouflage influenced design, offset perfectly with dark purple drop shadows. The letters, which of course are perfectly sharp and well finished, create a wonderful frame for the central portrait by Jody.

Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Jody has actually painted a lot on the streets this year, which has been a huge bonus, and he has definitely saved one of his best for this end-of-year collaboration. There is a sadness and calm in the portrait, and it feels religious or spiritual in nature. Simply stunning.

In the groove

.

Normality returns

re-emergence of routine

Christmas break broken

.

by Scooj

5722. Dean Lane skate park (672)

Chill, Face 1st and Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Chill, Face 1st and Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023

This might be the last time I post about the PWA crew this year, and what a productive year it has been from this fabulous group of artists who have kept us entertained and enthralled during 2023. This collaboration, tucked behind the fence of the swimming pool, is by Chill, Face 1st and Zake.

Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023

To the left, chill says it all next to his character piece with the words ‘last one or not, 2023 was hot’. Chill’s cartoon character takes on something of a surreal appearance with lots of eyes, everywhere, and an extra mouth in the ear. Interesting and fun stuff from Chill.

Face 1st, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Face 1st, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023

In the middle is a little girl character by Face 1st, and guess what… she is having a lot of fun with a couple of spray cans, one in each hand. A small nod to the vampire genre, with fangs and blood dripping from her mouth, this girl is perhaps not as happy as most that Face 1st paints.

Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023

On the right, Zake, who I think has run Klashwhensober pretty close as Bristol’s most productive artist of 2023, has painted a rather grotesque laughing face. Lots of mouth and teeth to deal with in this one, and the rather haunting eyes with no pupils that Zake often paints, adding mystery and some edge to the character. All good stuff from the PWA folks. I can’t wait to see what they create in the new year.

5721. Sparke Evans Park (86)

Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023
Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023

Counterintuitively, now that I have a little bit more time on my hands during the Christmas break, I am finding it harder to make time to write my blog. Perhaps it is the disruption to my routines – and I am a grumpy old man who has become rather fond of routine, which makes me a good companion for the dog. Regular patterns work for both of us. Today’s piece is a piece by Nips in Sparke Evans Park.

Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023
Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023

I haven’t posted all of Nips’ pieces, that I have seen, but will try to remedy this in the New Year, because I rather like her straightforward no-nonsense approach to graffiti writing. There is a lack of pretentiousness in her work, that is refreshing. The most notable thing about this piece is the outstanding fill design and execution. Modest and yet impactful, this is a really enjoyable piece from an artist I know little about.

5720. M32 roundabout J3 (536)

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Happy Christmas. Enjoy this magnificent ‘green man’ piece by Unity, which was painted as part of Pekoe’s RBF birthday paint jam in early December. It has a strong Christmas feel which is why I saved it for today. Where pagan meets Victorian Christmas.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I mentioned a day or two ago that Unity is painting a little more often in Bristol, and it is so good that she is, especially when she creates something as special as this one. Enjoy your day wherever you are.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023