2182. Allen Gardens, London (1)

One of the refreshing things about visiting Shoreditch or Camden Town is that every piece I see is a new discovery. What I mean by that is I don’t really follow London street art on social media, so when I see a piece ‘in the flesh’ it is usually the first time I have seen it or even know of it. In Bristol, I will have seen the majority of street/graffiti art works on Instagram before I ‘find’ them and photograph them. What this also means is that I know relatively little about the London artists, and for my own sanity probably need to keep it that way.

Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019
Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019

When I visited Allen Gardens in April I think that this piece by Cockyone was relatively new, it certainly looked incredibly fresh. When it comes to birds I think that kingfishers are a real crowd-pleaser, because of their beauty and character, and they frequently feature in street art. I think this is a wonderful piece, skilfully blending abstract grayscale patterns with the vibrant colours of the bird and the crown tops the whole thing off nicely.

2171. St Werburghs tunnel (76)

It is funny how some artists seem to favour walls, such as Laic217 in Moon Street and Hire in Dean Lane, and this spot at the north end of St Werburghs tunnel is often occupied by Mr Klue.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019

In fine deep colours, this piece looks like it is a bit of a tribute to Hoax. Both artists belong to the COM64 crew which I think also includes DNT, Akarat and Mr Sleven. Often the word KLUE is hidden in his works, but here it is quite clear that he has written HOAX. A nice friendly piece.

2143. Moon Street (64)

In Bristol it would seem at the moment that one is never far away from a Mr Klue piece. He is keeping very busy indeed, and this was from a couple of weeks back, during a paint session with Mr Sleven and DNT.

Mr Klue, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2019
Mr Klue, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2019

Using, what I am guessing are his favourite colours (he uses them a lot) he has created another calming abstract writing piece that possibly spells out KLUE (or you can even read WONE – Mr Klue’s surname). His light touch pieces always have an ephemeral feel about them, that they might just waft away on the breeze. Still loads more to come.

2105. Upfest 2018 (132)

Alas, this piece by Mr Penfold did not last long after Upfest, and has since been replaced by a wonderful piece featured on Natural Adventures by SPZero76. The wall is an interesting one in that it is curated by the Hangfire Gallery just opposite, and although the piece appeared during Upfest, I don’t think it constitutes an ‘official’ Upfest piece. I have to say that I am not all that bothered by such things, but I love the abstract work that Mr Penfold has created.

Mr Penfold, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Mr Penfold, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

His work has a real feel of the 1980s about it, a vibrancy and brashness that assaults the eyes with colour and shapes that draw attention. The other thing I associate with his work is Liquorice Allsorts, because of the blacks, pinks, light blues and yellows… yum yum.

I have plenty more pieces by Mr Penfold and feel he is somewhat under represented in this blog… I think that’ll have to change.

2103. St Werburghs tunnel (70)

I have said it ad nauseam that Mr Klue is being incredibly productive these days and I guess I will continue to say it for as long as he keeps painting these wonderful pieces. This slightly smaller than usual one contains a character who appears reasonably regularly on Mr Klue’s work.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2019
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2019

There is the suggestion of a man in a shirt and tie wearing what looks like the Mad Hatter’s hat complete with 10/6 label. I like the smokey, wispy abstract style that Mr Klue uses and the fact theat he is constantly playing with etherial ideas. All good.

2078. St Werburghs tunnel (67)

OK, so Mr Klue is on a roll and there seems to be no stopping him recently. No sooner do you discover a new piece, when it appears that he has already been out and done another one. Of course, this is a good thing, because I find his particular brand of abstract art most attractive.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019

This one in St Werburghs tunnel is typical of his current preferred colour palette of blues, light greens and whites on a black background. Always great to see his work.

2064. M32 roundabout J3 (130)

Mr Klue is on a roll and there can be no question about that. His wispish abstract pieces are turning up with extraordinary regularity, especially in the vicinity of St Werburghs and the M32 roundabout. One of the things he usually takes great care with is the preparation of the wall before he starts his work, because the background is an integral part of his style.

Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2019
Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2019

In a sense some of his work, like this one, is less abstract than first meets the eye. If you look very carefully, you can make out the letters KLUE in this piece, but you’d probably have to be looking for it to see it.  Another great effort from Mr Klue, and one of several lined up to post.

2021. Moon Street (59)

In a spot in Moon Street that is favoured by Laic217 and Rezwonk is this relatively new piece by Run Z. Like most of the abstract artists in Bristol, he has his own particular and distinctive style. Usually only spraying in one or two colours Run Z creates these swirling designs that have an organic feel to them.

Run Z, Moon Street, Bristol, January 2019
Run Z, Moon Street, Bristol, January 2019

Since visiting Lawrence Hill roundabout the other day, I note that Run Z is much more productive that I had first thought, but perhaps just not in the places I’m used to looking. I like his work and would like to see more of it… I’m especially interested in seeing how it develops.

2017. M32 roundabout J3 (124)

Yet more fantastic abstract work from Mr Klue in the shape of this large wispy piece on the St Werburghs side of the M32 roundabout. There is no other artist I know of producing anything like this, Mr Klue’s style is utterly unique.

Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019

Mr Klue recently posted a couple of pieces (I think it was a studio work) on Instagram which feature a lamppost set in a landscape of swirls – truly awesome work and worth a look. I will never tire of his work, and am glad that he has rediscovered his mojo and is out there being creative and brilliant.

1995. St Werburghs tunnel (59)

I am really interested in the evolution of Decay’s work, which seems to have been a focus for him since the beginning of the year. I am used to seeing his trademark black, white, grey and red pieces with concentric layers emanating from the centre. More recently he has been playing with a larger range of colours and trying new ideas. We still get to keep the little character though.

Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I really like this even if it takes a little getting used to, and if you haven’t yet worked it out, it is a piece of writing that clearly spells out DECAY once you get your eye in. Really looking forward to seeing more of this from Decay, and hoping to catch up with him again, it has been a long time since we last met.