2661. St Werburghs tunnel (125)

Tireless is the way I would describe the efforts of Face 1st. He seems to paint year-round, regular as clockwork, mainly in the north Bristol spots. Her we have a recent piece of graffiti writing in the St Werburghs tunnel, which has been something of a refuge for artists in the diabolical weather we have experienced since October.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2019
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2019

This piece reverts to the old-school style from Face 1st which shows a girl’s face with a FACE hairdo. It has been truly wonderful watching Face 1st switch it up this year, with a really broad range of pieces and some great experimentation. Looking forward to what 2020 will bring from him… no pressure there then.

Slog

 

A kind of torture

first day back at the office

just bumping along

 

by Scooj

2660. M32 Cycle path (45)

There has been a recent rush of Slakarts pieces and this one on the M32 cycle path is nicely sandwiched between Rezwok and Nightways from a session earlier on in December.

Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

Unmistakably by Slakarts, the artist has included a third eye, possibly as an afterthought, which is not painted in the same way as the ‘normal’ eyes with the blue and yellow colours and drips. This is a nicely executed piece and a welcome addition to a wall which is dominated by graffiti writing. Let’s hope 2020 brings us a visual feast as strong as 2019.

2659. Hebron Road (3)

A gorgeous paste up by Jimmer Willmott which appeared during a Bedminster session with Kid Crayon back in October this year. I think that this was my favourite from Jimmer – it is a nicely drawn surreal piece with his signature eye and is capped off nicely with a feather.

Jimmer Willmott, Hebron Road, Bristol, October 2019
Jimmer Willmott, Hebron Road, Bristol, October 2019

Having complained in the past about the lack of wheatpastes in Bristol, there does seem to have been a small resurgence in the art lately and of course this makes me very happy. I’m hoping that 2020 will see an increasing trend in Bristol wheatpasting.

2658. M32 roundabout J3 (184)

It has been a very long time since I last posted a piece by Thelocknessmonster mainly because, if I’m completely honest, I don’t think his work has been as good recently as it has been in the past. This piece down on the M32 roundabout is the first that I have really liked in ages and in my view, he seems to be getting his mojo back.

Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

The style is really unusual, composed mainly of cartoon-like line drawings that come together to tell a story although it is often difficult to be sure what the story is. Thelocknessmonster will often use motifs and symbols such as statues and shapes. He signs his pieces with the word ‘Egotist’ and often includes ‘Splab Lads’ or ‘Splab Gang’ which I think is a crew, but I don’t yet know any other members of the crew.

Always imaginative and creative and deliberately different Thelocknessmonster occupies his own special place in the Bristol street art scene.

2657. Albert Park Place (4)

One of the first walls I found when I started doing all of this was this one in Albert Park Place. Little did I know then that it has one of the lowest turn-over rates of any wall In Bristol, and in five years, I think there have only been four pieces here so I expect this collaboration from Rezwonk and Slakarts is a bit of a keeper.

Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019
Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019

The central graffiti writing is obviously from Rezwonk, spelling out ‘REZER’ and the decorations on either side are from Slakarts. Rezwonk’s class shine through and the letters, fills and 3D shadings are really on point.

Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019
Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019

The contribution from Slakarts brings colour and interest to the piece and are re of Isabel from the design of the stylised faces. Even though Rezwonk painted the lion’s share of this collaboration, it would not be complete without Slakarts. Nice work from these two.

Gunners at home

.

A father and son

both alike in preference

are Emirates bound.

.

by Scooj

Home bitter sweet home

.

That Christmas feeling

gently melts away and we

are left high and dry

.

by Scooj

2656. Hepburn Road (11)

In a part of Hepburn Road that I rarely visit, I was dropping my son off, I caught a glimpse of this qWeRT paste up. Of course I had to park up, and walk back to take a better look. I think, judging from the good condition of the piece, that it must have been left here during qWeRT’s recent trip to Bristol.

qWeRT, Hepburn Road, Bristol, November 2019
qWeRT, Hepburn Road, Bristol, November 2019

I believe that our friendly googly-eyed character greets us in the guise of Vishnu, the Hindu god and preserver of life. The wheatpaste is rather well camouflaged, set on a colourful background of random tags and swirls and is at first quite difficult to see. More to come from qWeRT and more to find I hope.

2655. Turbo Island

Here at Turbo Island we have two Mutatee faces for the price of one. One has been painted over while the other had been stuck to the wall more recently at the time I took this picture.

Mutatee, Turbo Island, Bristol, November 2019
Mutatee, Turbo Island, Bristol, November 2019

On the left the face is almost invisible, especially from a distance as it blends into the wall. What is rather comforting is that both of these little faces will probably be here for some time and undergo reasonably frequent facelifts whenever the wall is repainted.

Mutatee, Turbo Island, Bristol, November 2019
Mutatee, Turbo Island, Bristol, November 2019

The more recent face on the right has retained its vibrant blue colour that we have come to know and love in Bristol. I have now found quite a few of these little installations, but am rather hoping that there are plenty more to find.