4810. Brunel Way (177)

Cobo, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2022
Cobo, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2022

I was lucky enough to meet Cobo recently while he was spraying another piece of graffiti writing on the other side of this wall under Brunel Way. It turns out that he is a lovely bloke who has come to Bristol from New Zealand very recently and is looking for walls to paint. I hope I was able to help him with that in a small way. I’m not sure how long he will be staying, but expect to see more from Cobo in the coming weeks.

Cobo, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2022
Cobo, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2022

Cobo is clearly an accomplished writer, using the letters ‘COBER’ in this piece, although I know he likes to switch things up a little bit. These solid, strong letters, looking like a rocky outcrop, are beautifully laid out in two shades of blue, the darker shade with additional decoration. The dark green background sets the letters up really nicely, providing a buffer between them and the overpainted works beneath. A nice introduction to another talent to hit Bristol.

Making hay

.

Without a ball kicked

Arsenal are top of the league

until Boxing Day

.

by Scooj

4809. Coach and Horses

Hazard, Coach and Horses, Bristol, November 2022
Hazard, Coach and Horses, Bristol, November 2022

It is too easy in life to take things for granted, and sometimes we need something to remind us that special places, people and events are happening all around us all the time, if only we woke up and appreciated them. I had such an awakening yesterday, when photographing this Halloween paint jam from the RBF crew on the wall of the Coach and Horses. This spot is easy to drive past, but very difficult to stop and park near, but thankfully I found some obliging double yellow lines that I occupied for five minutes.

Hazard, Coach and Horses, Bristol, November 2022
Hazard, Coach and Horses, Bristol, November 2022

Hazard is a phenomenon. Her work goes from strength to strength and this recent Halloween portrait is absolutely exceptional. The detail, the shading which provides depth, and the expression are flawless. I love this piece and Hazard’s work, and I do not take it for granted, rather I see it as a privilege that I get to see her work on a regular basis. Brilliant.

4808. Brook Road (3)

Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022

I have said it countless times before on Natural Adventures, and will unapologetically say it again, that some of the most satisfying rewards can be found when diverting course from the familiar. Yesterday, I switched up my spots a bit and decided to visit the Star and Garter, because I haven’t been there for a while. On arrival, I spotted a large mural down Brook Street, that I hadn’t been aware of. As I approached I felt the excitement rising, and was blown away by this magnificent piece by Sled One.

Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022

This morning I took a quick look at Sled One’s Instagram account, and it turns out he painted it back in August, which makes me feel a bit useless. The mural itself seems to be an eclectic mix of components slapped on the wall resembling a collage of memories. A cat, razor wire, a knight’s horse, some flowers and a merry-go-round, with a rather sinister body precariously lying horizontally on a seat. The stuff of dreams and nightmares.

Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022

There is a photorealism in this piece that I wouldn’t ordinarily associate with Sled One, as more commonly he paints cartoony surreal pieces. His talent, whatever the style, is immense. My favourite part of this mural has to be the cat, although the razor wire does add a sense of threat that is rather uncomfortable. What a privilege to stumble across this piece.

On merit

.

Meritocracy

has yielded to corruption

a reboot required

.

by Scooj

4807. Dean Lane skate park (538)

Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022

As part of a collaborative wall, this is something rather different from Kosc, but the high quality of the piece is there for all to see. Taking a break from his writing, which he seems to have been enjoying of late, Kosc has created this amazing rat skeleton character.

Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022

There is more than a little menace about this rat, brought about by its posture and open mouth. You can tell that Kosc enjoys the anatomy of the creature and clearly has a good understanding of skeletal structure. There is some complementary artwork from Saor, whose part in this collaborative wall was just to the left, that cuts through the rat’s tail. Fabulous artwork from Kosc.

4806. Cheltenham 2022 (20)

Smak and The Art of Sok, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Smak and The Art of Sok, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

The pavilion in Cheltenham is an absolutely perfect place for long wall pieces and collaborations. Set on the edge of a football field, the building plays host to some of the most memorable pieces from the Cheltenham Paint Festival over the last few years. This year, Smak and The Art of Sok painted this awesome collaboration.

Smak, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Smak, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

To the left is a remarkably tight piece of wildstyle writing from Smak. The sensational colour scheme combined with a crisp design, delineated with white and black borders, contribute to an outstanding eye-fest of colour and form, clearly the work of a super-talented graffiti writer.

The Art of Sok, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
The Art of Sok, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

I haven’t come across The Art of Sok before, but I am guessing from the dragon on the character’s chest that there is a Welsh connection. The piece itself is outstanding, so clean and crisp, full of character and movement. The blocked-out colours are very stylised, presenting a highly designed feel to the work. Overall, this is a superb and compelling collaboration. Bravo!

4805. Cheltenham 2022 (19)

Eyesaw, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Eyesaw, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

I was not aware of Eyesaw until Upfest this year, where he painted at least two and possibly three pieces over the festival period. I have not posted those yet, but this piece from the subsequent Cheltenham Paint Festival, is typical of his style.

Eyesaw, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Eyesaw, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

Eyesaw’s works are painted with the colours and blur of 3D pictures, and to date I haven’t tested them with the blue and red specs that you get from time to time, because I haven’t got any (note to self – get some 3D specs). This one is of a tiger flexing its muscles. The designs are clever, but are slightly lost on me without knowing for certain that they work.

4804. Cheltenham 2022 (18)

Dawn, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Dawn, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

One of the delights of street art festivals is that they introduce you to a whole bunch of artists you haven’t encountered before and new styles and ideas, which is most refreshing. This piece is by Dawn, who is a bespoke signwriter based in the Cheltenham/Gloucester area.

Dawn, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022
Dawn, Cheltenham Paint Festival 22, Cheltenham, July 2022

The sign, painted in the backyard of the Two Pigs Club, is beautifully crafted and contains all the hallmarks of a skilled sign writer. It is funny, but the cross-over from signwriting to street art is not as straightforward as one might think, but Dawn has made a great job of it here.

Thursday doors – 10 November 2022

Doors 199 – Porto doors (Part 12)

So here it is. You have been most patient with my series on Porto doors, and today I bring you my last post on what was a doorscursion and a half last June. In graffiti speak, this would be called a ‘dregs’ piece – using up what is left behind, and as such it is a rather eclectic collection. June seems so very, very far away, but seeing these pictures brings me comfort as we enter the dark winter period.

I hope you enjoy this selection.

First up is the most popular café in Porto, the Majestic Café, with its stunning facade – a number one destination for tourists, and you can see why.

Majestic Cafe doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Majestic Café doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Majestic Cafe interior, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Majestic Cafe interior, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

The remaining doors are from different parts of the city, photographed over three magical days.

Steps and doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Steps and doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Green door with beautiful 1852 gate, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Green door with beautiful 1852 gate, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Tatty doors on a grand old building, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Tatty doors on a grand old building, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Old doors with nice metalwork, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Old doors with nice metalwork, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Old blue/brown doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Old blue/brown doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Botched repair doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Botched repair doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Doors from a derelict building, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Doors from a derelict building, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Derelict doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Derelict doors, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

Farewell fair Porto – next week I might have a few Bristol doors to share.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj