5495. St Werburghs tunnel (382)

3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023
3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023

It is not often that I receive a tip-off in advance of a paint jam, but I was fortunate to receive one for this coming together in St Werburghs Tunnel on 31 August, which included Inkie and Goldie, alongside a star-studded line-up of Bristol artists.

3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

By the time I got to the paint jam, 3Dom had taken a break from his wasp piece, but Goldie was still beavering away. It is always a bit of a treat when Goldie comes to town, not only to see his pieces, but because his presence tends to be a catalyst or focal point for the big names to come out and play together.

3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
3Dom and Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

Not only was the tunnel full of activity from the artists, but it was great to catch up with the likes of Paul H and DJ Perks (who I had run in to on three consecutive days – which never happens), who, like me, were there to enjoy watching the artists at work.

3Dom, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023
3Dom, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023

I have paired up 3Dom’s and Goldie’s pieces because there is some interaction between the two, and it seemed logical. The wasp character is so 3Dom, if that makes any sense at all, being full of creative fun and perfectly finished. The wasp’s abdomen appears to have a transparent quality, and the wing, complete with vessels, is well observed. Quite what the green ghosts/spirits are all about I am not sure, but they add o the overall story in the piece.

Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023
Goldie, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023

Goldie is not only famous for his music, but also for being one of the early graffiti writers in the UK, in Wolverhampton in the 1980s. This piece in quite an unusual writing style spells out Goldie, in large and small letters, with a fabulous ‘panelled’ 3D drop shadow, providing a bit of depth. In the background are some references to a Japanese landscape, and there are some more of 3Dom’s wispy ghosts. What a privilege to watch these guys at work.

5494. M32 Cycle path (226)

Lee Roy, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2023
Lee Roy, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2023

I happened to meet Lee Roy yesterday, while he was chilling with his dog beside the river, and we got chatting. I spoke to him about this wonderful new piece on the cycle path that runs alongside the M32, and commented on how different it felt to his other recent work. He said that he was trying something a little bit different, and although he couldn’t put the changes into words, he used hand gestures to describe how this new approach is a little more curvy and free of blocky letters.

Lee Roy, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2023
Lee Roy, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2023

The piece spells out Leeroy, although the letters are far more cryptic than we are used to. The modest colours, similar to the kind of muted colour palette that Dog Bless the Band tends to use, sit nicely on the grey buffed wall, and the green flashes keep the eyes busy. I am looking forward to seeing where this new direction takes us. A lovely piece from Lee Roy.

Heaven is a place on earth

Kings Weston, Bristol, September 2023

.

Vaulted canopy

in the distance a folly

shafts of light, moist air

.

by Scooj

5493. New Stadium Road (52)

Werm, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2023
Werm, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2023

In the murky underpass for pedestrians, still with a blackened ceiling from a car arson attack in the spring, Werm has painted his magic letters alongside a character, which, although he has done combinations before, is quite rare. The character in this piece is a busty bikini-clad lady, presumably enjoying the last throes of summer.

Werm, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2023
Werm, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2023

Werm’s work is becoming ever more complex and disguised. The letters WERM are at the centre of the piece, with elaborate extensions emanating from the centre. The letters are actually quite thin, which you can see if you concentrate on the green, tan and black ‘camouflage’ fill. The blocky look of the piece is down to much of the rest of the available space being taken up with the deep 3D drop shadow. This is a great combination piece from an artist constantly looking to improve and push boundaries.

Update: Painted as part of the World Wall Stylers camouflage challenge.

5492. Dean Lane skate park (636)

Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023

I really love it when a new artist becomes a regular on Natural Adventures, as it switches things up a little bit, and Bean has certainly made a massive impression in the short time he has been in Bristol. Bean is a master at creating character pieces, each one quite different from the last, but all of them in his very recognisable cartoon style.

Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023

Bean uses a two-tone colour approach to each element of his work, to define light and shade, for example, two tones of pink for the character’s face, two tones of green for the hair, two tones of blue for the clothing and so on. I imagine that he drafts up his work digitally, using design software, and then faithfully recreates his work at scale. Of course, I might be wrong, as I frequently am.

5491. Cumberland Basin

Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023

As far as I possibly can, I like to post every Laic217 piece that I find and with very few exceptions, I have managed to do that since starting Natural Adventures. Both Laic217 and I have been on an incredible journey since 2015/16, and now his steady drumbeat of outstanding artwork continues to feature in the blog, with this compelling piece from a week or so ago.

Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023

There are several of Laic217’s favourite themes incorporated in this portrait piece, returning once more to his facial distortion, where bits of flesh are stretched across the character’s mouth and teeth. The grotesque nature of Laic217’s work is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, although it would be difficult to deny his extraordinary artistic talent. Other ’emblems’ of his work are included, such as a cap with a smiley face, tracksuit with zip and a smoking cigarette/joint.  The purple mask/colouring around the eyes is something new, and the eyes themselves are particularly nicely done. As ever, I was genuinely excited to find this piece.

5489. Greenbank (95)

Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023
Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023

The Barbie RBF paint jam is the gift that keeps on giving, and this is Barbie Bnie’s interpretation of the theme. Bnie has definitely stepped out of her normal style, as in fairness, have all the other artists, to create this stylised writing to match that of the Mattel doll brand. Lots of pink, a heart, soft curves and a yellow border.

Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023
Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023

I think that the paint jam theme was an inspired and contemporary choice, and gave us a glimpse at how an all-female crew (and Jody) would interpret and fashion their Own Barbie style. For me, the heart with a ‘Hi’ in it perfectly captures the mood. I have a feeling, although I can’t be certain that Bnie had more than a hand in creating the RBF (Resting Barbie Face) piece that accompanied the paint jam pieces, but was unsigned, although the more I look at it the less sure I am. Great work from Bnie.

Bnie?, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023
Bnie?, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023

5490. Dean Lane skate park (635)

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2023
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2023

There is no stopping these two at the moment, Dibz and Fade are on a roll and seem determined to make hay while the sun shines. The writing, by Dibz, is characteristically complex and perfectly finished, when is it ever not? The fill is a lovely earthy mix of colours in a style resembling army camouflage patterning. The 3D drop shadow has an icy cool feel to it, with a low central vanishing point, which works really well.

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2023
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2023

The superbly painted character, by Fade, is not known to me, but is probably, from the look of it, a Disney cartoon character. Since I and my children grew up, my knowledge of children’s cartoons has diminished and I often have to rely on Interweb searches to work out what people have painted. In this instance I have drawn a blank, so unless you know, you’ll have to linger, like me, in ignorance.

Update: Painted as part of the World Wall Stylers camouflage challenge.

5488. Brunel Way (228)

Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023

I caught up with Dopes and Fade for a little while as Dopes was finishing off this piece on the long wall alongside the River Avon. We chatted for a while, which was enjoyable and informative. Just as Dopes was packed up and leaving, he glanced at the piece and commented that the ‘D’ was all wrong and looked a little distorted. I have to say that I hadn’t noticed, but there you have it, artists know what they want and are deeply critical of their own work, and they always notice the little defects.

Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023

Chrome pieces are prized in the graffiti community, but I have to say that they are not my favourite, and I think they are probably more of a graffiti culture thing as much as anything else. As I would expect from Dopes, this is neatly done with consistent patterning and styling throughout.

5487. M32 roundabout (509)

Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2023
Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2023

An occasional visitor to Bristol, Minto is always very welcome, as the pieces he leaves behind are always out of the top drawer. This one painted alongside Hemper and others, a week or two back is really rather different and a total banger.

Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2023
Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2023

I’m not sure what this is all about, but there are three main components to this piece. The first and most obvious is the VW camper van, with a character sitting in the passenger seat, leaning out of the window. The camper van alone would have been more than enough to satisfy my interest. However, Minto has added a second component of some graffiti writing in the same orientation as the van, spelling out his name with a cracking style and colours. Finally, and slightly out of place with the whole thing Minto has painted a Wylie Coyote cartoon character. I’m not sure that the character adds much but it is fun nonetheless. Perhaps he was simply using up a bit of paint, as it looks a little crudely painted. Minto is an artist who will always be welcome in Bristol.