3940. Upfest 2021 75×75 (61)

There is an interesting crossover with this piece from Soker in so much as it is an Upfest 75×75 piece from a Bristol graffiti writer who produces this kind of thing regularly all around the city to this high standard, without being ‘special’ event pieces. I’m not sure if I articulated that very well, but perhaps what I mean is that we are spoilt in Bristol with having so many outstanding writers like Soker.

Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

This is a lovely clean and colourful design from Soker, spelling SOKEM. There are two or three colour/fill themes going on through the letters and a central vanishing point for the 3D shading. This is what great graffiti writing looks like.

Back on track

.

Two month hiatus

persistent knee injury

back up and running

by Scooj

3939. Moon Street (89)

This post contains two things I love about Bristol street art; Moon Street and Laic217. I think that Moon Street was central to my love for street and graffiti art, as it was on my walking route to work, along with The Bearpit. Both are, sadly, spots in decline. The Bearpit has been sanitised and painted with anti-graffiti paint, and Moon Street is on the edge of a huge gentrification development programme in the Stokes Croft area, and fewer artists visit these days, preferring other less disturbed spots.

Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2021
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2021

This nice trippy skeleton piece is by Laic217, and I think I have said enough in previous posts about how much I enjoy his work. Three things stand out for me, the lovely folds in the hoodie material, the pink glasses and the smiley bucket hat. This piece couldn’t possibly be by anyone else.

3938. Cumberland Basin

I don’t know how it has happened, but I have got terribly behind with my posts today – something of a rarity. Possibly going for a run first thing upset my rhythm and routine. I’ve not been doing much running lately due to a knee injury, but am trying to ease myself back into it.

Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2021

To the point and to the wonderful old piece by Mudra, reminiscent of his very first pieces in Bristol. An old man with white moustache, red cheeks and glasses (maybe), superb work on a bare brick wall, and nicely signed-off with his @ signature. Good to  be able to post some of his older work.

Tuesdasy

.

Genuine typo

in a work memorandum

I rather like it

.

by Scooj

3937. Upfest 2021 75×75 (60)

This magnificent collaboration was one of the earlier ones to be completed for Upfest’s 75 walls in 75 days summer event, and these pictures have languished in my archives since June. The collaboration is by Koeone and Paul Monsters and plays magnificently to each of their strengths.

Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21

The beautiful portrait in greyscale is by Koeone and is painted with such care and attention to tones and shading, which brings an incredible calmness and grace to the piece. The hand is amazing, and perfectly in proportion.

Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21

The overall piece is very typical of a Koeone production, where the hair is separated from the face, being decorated with a highly colourful design or pattern, in this case perfectly painted by Paul Monsters.

Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21

Paul’s geometric design in greens, blues, purples, browns and oranges lends itself perfectly to a collaboration with Koeone. I think that these two should get together again, because the complementary styles have created something very special here. A lovely collaboration.

3936. Sparke Evans Park (8)

Not long ago, I said that Stivs was rather underrepresented on Natural Adventures. This post is a deliberate effort to address this imbalance, and there are more pieces in the pipeline. This piece was painted in Sparke Evans Park alongside Counterfits and Maesyhook.

Stivs, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021
Stivs, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021

The beautiful calligraffiti spells out ‘Dirty Soul’ and is composed of large red letters with some nice pink shading on the upper surfaces and a black surround, set on a background of tiny white grid work, which must have taken a while to paint. A high quality piece of writing.

21 years

.

This year it was me

I completely forgot it

anniversary

.

by Scooj

3935. Greenbank (15)

I first posted about Eman on 20 December 2020 and since then I would think that he has been the most productive artist on the streets of Bristol, and although other artists such as Turoe and Hemper have had very productive pulses, Eman has been regular as clockwork and experimenting with characters and different writing styles. It is difficult to keep him off these pages, and I have dozens more of his works in my archives.

Eman, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021
Eman, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021

This is a lovely character piece featuring a young man contemplating a joint. In this piece, Eman uses an uncomplicated style of strong lines and solid fills to create a cartoon effect. There is not a lot in the way of shading, decoration or depth, but that is not important to pieces like this. I do know that Eman is constantly pushing the boundaries and striving to broaden his rage and improve his technique, and I am enjoying the ride. Great stuff.

3934. Alfred Street (9)

I am so enjoying the work of Maesyhook. Ever since I first came across her work, I have been hypnotised by her refreshing and quirky pieces. I thought I had her taped until I saw this piece outside the Dare To club. I have no idea what this piece is or what it represents, but the colours are the ones she uses most in her work, those and her signature are what bring continuity.

Maesyhook, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2021
Maesyhook, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2021

I’ll attempt to describe the piece. The pink element is reasonably straightforward and is a snake or serpent. The green circles might be apples, so is there an Old Testament reference here? If there is, then the blue element could be Adam and Eve, but on closer inspection it looks like a hand. OK, I’ll quit while I am ahead and simply enjoy a piece from one of my ‘flavour of the month’ artists.