4632. Brunel Way (167)

Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022
Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022

It is great to see another Smak piece, here under Brunel Way, this one complete with a rather fun character. I have a feeling that the character is a rather well know one, used in graffiti, which probably comes originally from comic books, as so many graffiti characters tend to.

Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022
Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022

As you would expect from Smak, both the character and the letters are outstandingly well painted and look great on the prepped red wall.

Weirdly, I had a dream last night about a massive street art festival (walls only), and I had been invited to participate, and Ryder, or was it Smak, was helping me to select a wall and offering advice for how I should go about it. This was brilliant, until it occurred to me that I had left all my paints at home and would have to go and get them. A this point my sub-conscious kicked in and explained to me that I couldn’t possibly go home, because I was on holiday. Alas, my chance to paint a large wall disappeared. Strange things dreams.

4631. M32 Spot (142)

Marckinetic, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022
Marckinetic, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022

Another short one this morning, on account of my vacation. This is a lovely piece from Marckinetic, whose rather unusual style is distinct and recognisable. I like his incorporation of cosmic fills and backgrounds, a technique he obviously seems to enjoy.

Marckinetic, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022
Marckinetic, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022

The turnover on this wall tends to be rather slow, so most things that go up here will most likely be around for at least a month or two. It lends itself to long low pieces, which would suit Marckinetic down to the ground. Another nice piece from this relatively new to Bristol artist.

Nin

.

Ancient island town

coined Croatia’s Bethlehem

salt pans surround it

.

by Scooj

4630. M32 roundabout J3 (423)

Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022
Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022

There was a time when I endeavoured to publish every piece that I found by Mr Draws, however, with the emergence of so many artists in recent years, it has become almost impossible to show that loyalty to some of my favourites of days gone by. Mr Draws still paints them, but I only post maybe one I three, which is a real pity.

Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022
Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022

This one on the M32 roundabout is a real beauty in chrome, with a straightforward design concept… chrome letters, blue caps with drips, a pink ‘electric’ ribbon and a few cracks in the letters for interest. The whole thing is nice to look at and great to see from ‘old faithful’.

4629. Sparke Evans Park (51)

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022

I feel it is only fair to myself that I explain that this week’s posts are likely to be rather short, because I am on holiday. As I write, I am accompanied by the sound of church bells ringing, which seems to happen at 9am every morning. Who needs an alarm clock?

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022

This is a another fabulous Funnybones piece by Haka, after the genius of the Ahlbergs, author and illustrator of some wonderful children’s books. I believe this is the third Funnybones piece in this spot. I posted the second, and I have a feeling that I have photographed the first, but have yet to publish it. It is all great fun, and long may the tradition last.

Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022
Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022

Ant lion


.

Ant lion, Zaton, Croatia, August 2022
Ant lion, Zaton, Croatia, August 2022

Beautiful, graceful

adult form belies larval

ruthless cruelty

.

by Scooj

4628. Purdown (46)

Conrico, Purdown, Bristol, July 2022
Conrico, Purdown, Bristol, July 2022

From time to time, I have found it quite difficult to locate some of Conrico’s work, especially pieces that are buried deep in Easton. Recently, however, he has been much more obliging, painting in places that I tend to visit more frequently.

Conrico, Purdown, Bristol, July 2022
Conrico, Purdown, Bristol, July 2022

This piece, on one of the concrete slabs, up at the Purdown anti-aircraft battery is a rather nice Western scene, reminiscent of Films I used to watch as a kid. A long-time dead and desiccated body lies at the base of the letters CONRICO, with sculptured rock formations and desert sand as a backdrop. Atmospheric and great fun from Conrico.

Another country

.

Arrival at last

relaxation begins here

life’s burdens lifted

.

by Scooj

4626. Chatterton Square (4)

RichT, Chatterton Square, Bristol, July 2022
RichT, Chatterton Square, Bristol, July 2022

This is a spot I don’t visit too often, which is a mistake as there is usually some pretty good stuff to look at here. This is a lovely piece of writing, in soft colours, by RichT (I think) which looks like it spells out LOUIS or LOUISE or LOUISA.

RichT, Chatterton Square, Bristol, July 2022
RichT, Chatterton Square, Bristol, July 2022

Each letter plays its individual part in this creation, which is as much about the flower and face as it is about the writing. There is something quite cartoony about it, that makes it all rather endearing. A fine piece tucked away opposite Temple Meads station.

4625. Upfest 2022 (40)

The very first time I saw Zabou’s work was at an Upfest festival a few years ago. After that I saw more of her work on a couple of trips to London and have become a big fan. Her photorealistic portraits are among the best in the world, and it is a privilege when she comes to visit the west of England, in particular Bristol and Cheltenham.

Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

All I know about this magnificent portrait piece is that it is called stuck, and given that I was a little bit behind the curve, I never saw her painting it, but only as the final completed work, which meant I couldn’t even ask her about it.

Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

I love the way that the face is slightly compressed and contorted in the places where it comes in contact with the hole in the wall. I also love the overall trompe l’oeil effect of the painted brick wall.

Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Zabou, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

This is a magnificent piece that adds weight to the international status of Upfest and helps to draw visitors and inward investment to the city. We have come a long way since Banksy and his contemporaries. A truly stunning piece from Zabou.