1751. Tower Hill (1)

A colleague alerted me to this hoarding, which is within lunchtime walking distance from my work, so I felt obliged to go and take a look. Sometimes such tip-offs can be a bit of a disappointment, because not all ‘street art’ is worth the trip. This wonderful piece by Smak however was absolutely worth it.

Smak, Tower Hill, Bristol, August 2018
Smak, Tower Hill, Bristol, August 2018

I had kind of been aware of these hoardings but didn’t know that there was anything decent there. In fact there were three notable pieces of which this is the first. Smak is an interesting artist in that he has two personas. This is his ‘graff’ persona, but he also does high-end pieces and commissions under another name – he even painted a large wall at Upfest this year (to follow).

Smak, Tower Hill, Bristol, August 2018
Smak, Tower Hill, Bristol, August 2018

This wildstyle writing is really skilfully done and spells out SMAK. In the middle of the work he had woven in the head of a bird, and there are some feathers in there too. A classy piece.

1710. Upfest 2018 (35)

Max ‘syther’ Oughton is no stranger to Upfest, and indeed I wrote a short post covering his work from Upfest 2017. This artist, from East Anglia, is making a niche for himself with animal studies and illustration, so the Upfest programme notes tell us and this piece certainly covers that territory with a seabird entangled in the tentacles of an octopus.

Max Syther, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Max Syther, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The colour selections which are calming and serene betray the rather brutal scene which is a skilfully executed juxtaposition. Max Oughton has a great eye for the natural world, and it is great to be able to see his work for two years running.

Max Syther, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Max Syther, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

 

I think that Max was just tidying up after finishing the piece when I took this last picture…a celebratory fag hanging out of his mouth.

1548. Dean Lane skate park (135)

There is not too much to say about this lovely little toucan by Touc, other than I think it was the first one of his little birds that I found, and I have just retrieved it from my archive.

Touc, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018
Touc, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018

I’ve not seen any new ones recently, but am always on the look out.

Swifts

 

Familiar screech

decorating whitened skies;

a British summer.

 

by Scooj

Once common

 

Hear cheeky chirpy

house sparrows doing their thing

red list remainers.

 

by Scooj

Unexpected joy

.

Unusual find

beneath the garden decking;

secluded wren nest.

.

by Scooj

1483. The Bearpit (145)

So, here he is once again, this time making an appearance in one of the tunnels of The Bearpit. This toucan, by Touc, really is one of the cheeriest graffiti characters in town and I would suggest you have a cold heart if you aren’t the tiniest bit captivated by him.

Touc, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018
Touc, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018

I don’t know what HATOUCAN means…is it a toucan sneeze? My supply of Touc finds is drying up a little, so you might not see him for a little while – until then…farewell.

Nuthatch

 

Atop a tall ash

against a backdrop of blue

I catch a nuthatch.

 

by Scooj

1430. The Bearpit (132)

Observant citizens of Bristol might have noticed this little character making a few appearances about the place recently. This little toucan, in the middle of The Bearpit, is by relative newcomer (I think) Touc (Sven Stears).

Touc, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018
Touc, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018

I always like to see new street artists joining the throng and it is particularly nice to see something rather different. On his Instagram profile, Touc descrbes himself as a performance poet, artist, actor, B-movie hero and probably a lizardman. Im not sure about the last bit, but I look forward to seeing more from Touc in all his guises in the near future.

 

Goldcrest

 

This smallest of birds

restless, flits from tree to tree;

see the yellow flash.

 

by Scooj

 

  • Sweet joy…I saw one of these in the garden this morning.