1524. M32 roundabout J3 (84)

This is a not-quite-finished piece from the magnificent Sled One, and it was his contribution to the ASK paint jam at the M32 roundabout. He was actually a day late, because he had had a hangover the day of the paint jam and didn’t feel like painting – so these guys are human after all.

Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

I am always completely amazed at how Sled One seems to be so at ease with his cans, he seems to create his work with the minimum of fuss and is able to put ehat is in hes head onto a wall. He is comfortable with both writing and creating fantastical characters, and is a real asset to The Paintsmiths, who he works for.

Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

This piece, even incomplete, looks stunning and I will have to go back to get a finished picture.

Last week I was cutting the lower branches and shoots off a lime tree that lines the road where I live – the council used to do it but have no money for such things any more – so that I could park the car without smearing it with aphids and get out of it without walking into a jungle. Anyhow, I digress, while I was pruning, I looked up and saw Sled One. We stopped for a chat, and it turns out he lives only a few doors up from me…I can’t believe that we haven’t bumped into each other before.

1521. M32 roundabout J3 (83)

Right up there with my favourite Bristol artists is 3Dom. This dream-like piece was created during the recent ASK paint jam at the M32 roundabout and is just so typical of his weird and wonderful creative mind.

3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

For those who know his work, there are several familiar themes going on here in this piece, including the purple striped trousers the character is wearing and the birdcage for a head. 3Dom often uses inanimate objects to create the face of his characters, bringing those inanimate objects to life and personality to the whole piece. I think a psychiatrist would probably have a field day with 3Dom’s work.

3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

I love the little details like the fly, the lock on the birdcage and especially the upwards drips on the bicycle. I love this piece to bits.

1511. M32 roundabout J3 (81)

I haven’t seen any work from Ments for quite a while, so it was great to see this piece which was recently painted as part of the ASK crew paint jam. His work is quite different from other writers, having this rather organic feel to it, rather than the harsher straight lines and angles associated with most block writing.

Ments, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Ments, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

The letters spell out MENTS, but it is difficult to make it out. I think this is a wonderful piece, but I feel that a little more prep work on the wall would have made it stand out even more. The piese was opainted the day before I took the picture, and the suitcase in front of it belongs to Sled One, whose piece I will feature soon.

1506. M32 roundabout J3 (78)

A few days ago, it would appear that the ASK crew and some friends held a paint jam down at the M32 roundabout. This tends to happen three or four times a year and is always a hugely welcome event. Over the next few days and weeks I will post all of the pieces from the session, starting with this outstanding work from Epok.

Epok, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Epok, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

The first thing to notice about this is that the wall has been prepped really well – this is no throw up, but a fine work presented almost like a gallery. The nicely prepped wall complements the sharpness that Epok achieves with his work. Beautiful angular clean lines and fills, and a nicely chosen pallette. It might not be obvious, but the writing spells EPOK which is beautifully disguised. Epok never ever disappoints.

1381. Co-Operation Road

I took this picture on election day a couple of years back. The result of this photograph was great, the election result rather less so. I remember it was a gorgeous day, and I had been tipped-off about a whole load of great street art in Devon Road, Easton. I was not disappointed. Then at the top of the road was this beautiful wall piece by Deamze. A really classy piece it is too.

Deamze, Co-Operation Road, Bristol, May 2016
Deamze, Co-Operation Road, Bristol, May 2016

I haven’t been back there for a while now, and don’t know if this is still there. I guess I ought to get myself over to Easton soon to take a look. Deamze at his creative best.

1373. Roman Road

In the depths of Easton is this Deamze piece on a cafe wall. I have known about it for some time, but parking in this particular spot is utterly impossible, and it is onluy recently that I have been able to do so and grab a couple of pics. Unfortunately, and because of the parking issues in the area, there is a car obscuring the wall.

Deamze, Roman Road, Bristol, March 2018
Deamze, Roman Road, Bristol, March 2018

I have a feeling this piece has been around for a while, but I still thought I’d post it. It reminds me of the craze for colouring books, as it appears to be unfinished, however i can assure you it is complete. I love the character, but am not sure who it is. There is a tribute to Dom, which dates it to within the last 18 months or so. Always a pleasure to find pieces off the beaten track.

1326. Prince’s Place (3)

My absolute favourite piece of the year so far. This is an outstanding collaboration between two of the Bristol ASK masters, Sepr and 3Dom. As well as the composition, which is brilliant, the location is also cleverly chosen.

Sepr and 3Dom, Princes' Place, Bristol, February 2018
Sepr and 3Dom, Princes’ Place, Bristol, February 2018

This wall was home to a 3Dom piece of writing that had remained here for a long time, completely untouched. I do hope that this piece is offered the same level of respect. On the left is a snorkeler in blue, with gold trunks and a starfish on his head expertly sprayed by Sepr.

Sepr and 3Dom, Princes' Place, Bristol, February 2018
Sepr and 3Dom, Princes’ Place, Bristol, February 2018

If this isn’t weird enough, 3Dom has painted the most incredible jelly fish in rich and vibrant tones wearing a WW2 sea mine on its bell and with a chain trailing behind in its tentacles. A thing of quirkiness and real beauty.

Sepr and 3Dom, Princes' Place, Bristol, February 2018
Sepr and 3Dom, Princes’ Place, Bristol, February 2018

The whole thing comes together magnificently, the contrasting colour palettes of each artist marking their work but combining in the centre of the piece. So sharp and fresh, this is a really high quality piece. being in quite a narrow lane, it is quite difficult to capture in a phiotograph, but it is a real beauty.

3Dom, Princes Place, Bristol, February 2016
3Dom, Princes Place, Bristol, February 2016

1316. New Gatton Road (2)

The tree in front of this magnificent Sepr piece is always going to make photographing it difficult. A winter shot on a clear day is probably the best you are going to get, but ebven then a shadow of the tree is cast across the mural.

Sepr, New Gatton Street, Brisotl, November 2017
Sepr, New Gatton Street, Brisotl, November 2017

I took several pictures of this piece shortly after it had been started, but they were polluted by the light conditions. I am not entirely sure what this is all about other than it is yet another brilliant monkey in space suit piece. Not far from this spot there is a Zase and Dekor monkey in a space suit, and every Upfest seems to throw up one or two. It is an endearing theme, and one so excellently executed here by Sepr.

Sepr, New Gatton Street, Brisotl, November 2017
Sepr, New Gatton Street, Brisotl, November 2017

This is a deceptively large piece on a fairly irregular wall, and how well Sepr has used the space to tell a humerous story. The monkey is immediately adjacent to the beautiful turtle by Louis Masai, and there we have street art…two classics, one earnest and worthy, the other full of fun…both supreme.

 

1311. M32 roundabout J3 (65)

There is a reliable consistency about the work of Soker. Always high quality and always delivered with some panache. In this piece of writing e has opted for a chrome finish on a wall background. The chrome complements the Rusk piece next to it.

Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018
Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018

There is a big thing for chrome writing, and it seems to be the colour of choice for many graffiti writers, I guess because of the impact it has. If I am honest, I’n not too sure about it, I feel it is a little over-used to achieve impacts, however what it lacks in subtlety it makes up for in clout. A nice piece of writing.

1306. Upper York Street (10)

Well, well, well. This is a sensational piece of writing by Epok which was sprayed at the same time as the Sepr pianist. Two great artists painting together but not a collaboration. The modern phrase that comes to mind when I look at this is ‘he’s smashed it’.

Epok, Upper York Street, Bristol, February 2018
Epok, Upper York Street, Bristol, February 2018

With some references to the modernist movement, this piece is technically brilliant, bringing together elements of writing, shading, colour selection and mood that have created a master work.

Epok, Upper York Street, Bristol, February 2018
Epok, Upper York Street, Bristol, February 2018

Anyone with aspirations of becoming a writer should take a long hard look at this piece. It would be worthy of hanging in any gallery. Perhaps you have noticed that I like it…a lot.