822. Dean Lane skate park (54)

I am so very much enjoying the journey Mr Draws is on at the moment. His trademark mountains seem to be a distant memory, and he is vigorously experimenting with his letters. This is a lovely piece, sprayed over the top of a Kid Crayon work (recently featured) which had been tagged.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

Mr Draws is always looking to stretch himself, and uses the walls of Bristol to practice and modify. All the time he is improving his technique and mastery of his craft. This one has a childlike quality to it – candy or marbles or something like that.

Meeting

.

On my arrival

I am greeted by a young 

pair of goldfinches. 

.

by Scooj

821. The Bearpit (72)

This is the second piece by J. Dior that I have written about, but I can assure you that there are a great many more to come; he is most prolific. I have only really noticed his work on the streets since the Spring, so wonder if he moved into Bristol, or just decided to take the plunge and start painting on the streets.

J. Dior, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2017
J. Dior, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2017

His style is pretty much unique on the Bristol scene. It has a wonderful childlike naivety about it, but somehow draws you in – there are stories here. This piece is very unusual, because it features nudity, something rarely seen in street art. I am intrigued by the fact that Dior will paint a nude image, but when it comes to the writing ‘My p***y’ he doesn’t use the word pussy. I like his work, but still know nothing of the artist.

Lost at sea

 

Remembering those

whose unfathomable loss

will not wash away.

 

by Scooj

820. Dean Lane skate park (53)

I really like the work of Hire, especially as I now know what to look for in his work. His writing is really well disguised and has something medieval about it, swords clashing…or maybe that is just me. I suppose another interpretation would be Gothic.

Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

I think it is the detail and jagged shapes that I like about his work, and although technically good, there is something rather raw about it. Really great graffiti writing.

Sol

.

Thoughts turn to Summer

and glorious days ahead;

skylarks in the dunes. 

.

by Scooj

819. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (8)

The best part about this picture is that I got to meet the artist Lemak, who I have admired for some time, and who creates some of the very best multi layered stencils I have seen. This piece, space cadet, is an exceptional example of the complex and painstaking work Lemak produces.

Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

He was telling me that it takes a very long time to cut the stencils for something like this, which is pretty much life size. The payback comes with selling limited numbers of the stencilled original. Talented beyond doubt, and his income drives further work…something of a virtuous circle.

Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

Lemak is a real gent, and happy to stop and have a chat. This piece was part of the paint jam organised by Stephen Quick, and sprayed at the same time as the Quick/Adamaszek collaboration featured here a couple of weeks ago. This is a great stencil.

818. Raleigh Road, Vector (12)

These hoardings on Raleigh Road are becoming a favourite spot for Cheo, Soker and Voyder, amongst others. This piece by Cheo contains many of the hallmarks of his work…a bee, a cigar, a gold chain, a crisp design, clearly well prepared and some great writing.

Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESCheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

I cannot decipher the writing, but Cheo hashtagged the Instagram image of this piece with #nintendope, #piranhaplant, #Nintendo and #Mario, which perhaps gives some insight into the inspiration and subject matter.

Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

I’m always pleased to see Cheo pieces, especially ones as crisp as this one.

Natural dispassion

.

Blackbird alarm calls,

too late my intervention

the damage is done.

 

by Scooj

 

817. City Road (3)

Shortly after I met 2Keen while he was spraying his fabulous REDLAND piece in Redland Court Road, he was at it again just off Stokes Croft. This wall was sprayed as part of the Rave on Avon event in late July in conjunction with the RAW (Read and Weep) crew.

2Keen, City Road, Bristol, May 2017
2Keen, City Road, Bristol, May 2017

I understand from this piece why he is held in such high regard by other graffiti artists in Bristol, his work is well thought out and exudes years of experience – I think the word I am looking for is classy.

2Keen, City Road, Bristol, May 2017
2Keen, City Road, Bristol, May 2017

I am really looking forward to seeing more of his work, and on taking him up on the offer of taking me out spraying sometime. I’ll have to find him again first though.