Regular readers will know that I really don’t like posting pieces by ‘unknown’ artists, but sometimes I’ll see something that is just too good to consign to the depths of my archive and this is one such piece. Rather simple, yet appealing to me at least, is this slightly geeky looking character on one of the walls at Dean Lane.
Unknown artist, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2020
The cartoon style and subject matter appeal to me, and while it might not be the best piece of art in town, I actually like it a lot. I can’t work out the letters just to the left, it could be GTIFF or STIFF ot STTFF or some other combination, but Google searches have yielded nothing so far, so if anyone out there knows who the artist might be please shout.
Woah, what happened here? Thank you Paul H for pointing out that the commentary about this piece was missing. A WordPress glitch I think, and most annoying as I had spent quite some time putting together some words to accompany this advert piece in the tunnel by Inkie. I find that I am always caught in two minds with advert pieces, because they take away the edge from street art and swerve into commercialism. There is nothing wrong with that per se and almost always they are promoting local music, so I suppose I should just get with the programme.
Inkie, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
The piece itself is written in classic Inkie font and promotes the album Ease and Squeeze by Kaotik Kartel, a reggae/dancehall/dub band from Bristol/Jamaica. I don’t actually mind too much what Inkie is painting about, it is always great to see his work and this one in the tunnel was a great surprise.
This magnificent Elvs piece near the entrance to St Werburghs tunnel didn’t last too long, but then again, nothing seems to last too long in there at the moment… probably something to do with the incessant wet weather we’ve been having since December.
Elvs, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
As always, Elvs presents us with a meticulously finished piece so distinctive in its style. The horizontal graduation of the fills is exceptional as always and the 3D shading with a central disappearing point is nicely done. Another keeper from the DBK artist.
It is very nice to see a character piece from Rusk, and this is a bit of fun constructed around the theme of magic mushrooms. Is that still a thing? I am so old. It is also good to see these boards, which in my view are underused and underrated, getting the treatment from some of the best artists in Bristol.
Rusk, Armada Place, Bristol, February 2020
This piece does its job well: the pun; the psychedelic colour selections and the execution come together to create fabulous whole. It would be great to see more turnover on this wall… especially as it is reasonably quick for me to walk there.
Thank you Banksy for your recent visit to Bristol. I thank you because your piece drew me to an area of Bristol that I have not been to before, which is a bit of a crime for a street art hunter because Barton Hill was where a great many Bristol graffiti artists cut their teeth. Only a matter of a hundred meters or so north of the Banksy Valentine piece is a long wall on the boundary wall of Netham Park where I found this old piece by Andy Council.
Andy Council, Avonvale Road, Bristol, February 2020
The stegasaurus-type dinosaur composed of buildings and trees is typical of the incredible work that Andy Council has become famous for. I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this piece, but that is what makes doing what I do so much fun – surprises lurk around every corner. A very satisfying find on a red-letter day.
Just wow! Another epic collaboration in St Werburghs tunnel, this time from Rezwonk and Nightwayss, featuring Dennis the Menace from the fabulous old comic the Beano. I am guessing that this might have been prompted by the recent Storm Dennis that wrought havoc across the midlands and the rain from which is still causing flooding in Ironbridge, Shrewsbury and Worcester.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I took a walk with the dog last week to the tunnel and got lucky, because the pair were still hard at work painting this outstanding piece. The dog became a little unsettled when Nightways was jumping up and down rollering his pink border along the top of his piece. The barking was loud and I had to move on, and returned a little while later when he had calmed down. My own Gnasher slightly cramped my style.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
It was great to stop and chat with both artists and an additional bonus was that DJ Perks was down there too admiring the work and we were able to catch up too. It seems that I missed Paul H (again) by only a few minutes, but that is how it happens… beig in the right place at the right time.
Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
Both of these pieces are stunning and it was really interesting watching them bring their work to life. I find the whole process of spray painting totally counter-intuitive, and I think I am going to have to put in a whole load more practice this spring and summer. Rezwonk was writing REZER with the fills, which he then put outlines on; in other words did the colouring in before there was anything to colour in (does that make sense?).
I understand that Nightwayss painnted the Dennis and Gnasher characters from pictures on his phone. What a talent to be able to do that. It was great to see some recent work from him as he has been a little dormant on the streets this winter. This NIGHT absolutely makes up for it though.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
All in all, this is a spectacular collaboration and lies in the same place where Rezwonk and Decay painted a Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat scene last year. Keep it going folks… even with the difficuly light conditions this is a fabulous wall.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I am not too sure how old this one from Soap is because I haven’t been to this spot for quite a few months. It looks a bit chipped along the bottom but is otherwise in rather good condition, so I would guess it is from the back end of last year.
Soap, Lawrence Hill roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
This mouthy piece is typically cheerful and bright from an artist who appears to have had something of a renaissance over the past year or so. I like the incorporation of swirly colours around the character and line drawn ones within it too. It was painted alongside Bad Taste who Soap has collaborated with before and which I wrote about on Christmas Day. It just shows that it is worth checking out these spots from time to time.
Natural adventures 