Tag: bird

388. Upfest 2016 (32)

This artist has appeared regularly on this blog and requires no introduction. Aspire’s birds are in inspiration and a tonic for those who live in the city of Bristol. He is a prolific artist who brightens up the some of the darker places for example; The Bearpit and walls and hoardings in the Stokes Croft area.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

 

This is not the first Blue Jay that I have seen by Aspire, and I hope he will continue to do more. This one is special though, in that it was produced for Upfest and will remain intact for at least a year as it is within the playground of Ashton Gate School, in the company of some other great street art.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Alas! I didn’t make it to this site on the Saturday, and missed the opportunity of seeing Aspire at work and of meeting him. Note to self…make better use of the Saturday at Upfest 2017.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

“You are beautiful when you are who you are”

359. Upfest 2016 (16)

Only a few yards away from the wonderful Hannah Adamaszek piece is this striking work by one of my old favourites ATM. His works of wildlife can be found all over Bristol, and now in the very special playground of Ashton Gate school. It looks like I might only have missed him by slim moment as his step ladder is still next to the wall, but I think the work was completed.

ATM, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
ATM, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

As a naturalist, I really ought to know what bird this is, but I am not sure. Scratch that…I have just checked out his Instagram account and it is a wood warbler. His bird works are really exceptional and I wonder if he has been approached by the Audubon Mural Project, if not, he should be. A superb work, and an outstanding artist at this year’s festival.

338. Stokes Croft, Attic Bar

I’m not sure how many times I might have walked past this before I noticed it. I would like to think not many. Recently (I think) the Attic Bar at the bottom end of Stokes Croft (It might even be North Road) had a little face lift with this collaboration between Aspire and another artist. I haven’t yet worked out who the other artist is, but the work looks familiar.

Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016

As always, Aspire has turned out yet another superb bird, which looks like a blue jay again, to watch over us.

Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016

I am perplexed by not knowing who the writer is. If anyone reading this knows the answer, please drop me a comment.

323. City Road (2)

Another winning bird, this time a Blue Jay – not a native of Britain – by Aspire. I have run out of things to say about Aspire’s work. It is simply fabulous, and I am lucky to have such a talented artist in the neighbourhood.

Aspire and Mr Klue, City Road, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire and Mr Klue, City Road, Bristol, March 2016

Accompanying him on this occasion is the unmistakable work of Mr Klue. The swirling pattern working off the right hand side of the bird. Two great local artists keeping things fresh.

Osprey

 

Pinnacle of the

food web, master of the sky

eagle deity.

 

by Scooj

Icarus

 

As he hurtled to

the ground nobody waited;

ambition unseen.

 

by Scooj

 

281. Muller Road

This mural is deep in Zase country. Many of his works are on show in the neighbourhood, and recently this commission for the local veterinary practice has brightened up an otherwise drab wall. I suspect that business may have improved too.

Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016
Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016

These animals are beautifully painted, which is what we have come to expect from Zase designs. The animals are incredibly realistic, but seem to have a slightly cheeky cartoonish character about them. This is an artist at the top of his game.

Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016
Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016

He has also painted one of his trademark wildstyle burners, but I am unable to decipher it. He has dotted the whole piece with the words ‘love’, ‘compassion’ and ‘care’. All in all it is a wonderful community piece, and a local landmark.

Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016
Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016

 

 

277. Wilder Street (5)

Wilder Street is becoming one of the hottest spots for street art in North Bristol at the moment. Sandwiched between the the A38 and A4404 it is slightly off the beaten track and, for the time being, away from the main tagging areas, although I’m sure it won’t be long before they do their stuff here too.

T-Rex, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
T-Rex, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

I was surprised a few short weeks ago to find this lovely, and slightly eclectic, collaboration between T-Rex, Ryder and Aspire on the wall of a local small business. I haven’t yet featured any of T-Rex or Ryder’s work before, although I have seen a fair bit of it around. They tend to collaborate quite a lot, T-Rex usually spraying dinosaurs and Ryder writing his name. I don’t yet know very much about either of them, but will dig out more.

Ryder, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Ryder, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

Aspire needs no introduction, and here he gives us one of his wonderful blue tits that he seems to favour. He is so prolific at the moment, that it is hard for me to post his most recent work. I have at least two more in the queue.

Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

So we have three nice pieces, painted together, but I am not too sure how well they work together in the same space. Having said that, this is the kind of collaboration that makes the Bristol scene so special.

Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

259. North Street, Workout (2)

It recently occurred to me that I am going to have to work through my backlog of Upfest 2015 pieces, because it will not be too long before they get replaced during the 2016 extravaganza and appear a little out of date. July 23-25 will see an influx of 300 artists showing off their talent, and I have to say I can’t wait. Among them will be Louis Masai, a London based artist who is renowned for his beautiful animal works.

Louis Masai, North Street, Bristol, January 2016
Louis Masai, North Street, Bristol, January 2016

Louis Masai gained an art degree from Falmouth in Cornwall, and has been living in London since 2010. More about him from his own website. This is a beautiful picture of two macaws (I seem to have posted a lot of these lately) and a clear and simple message that they belong in the wild and not in cages. I can go with that. His work is outstanding and his presence in Bristol this year will be a real bonus.

 

Swift

 

With my eyes closed I

can hear the shrill cries of swifts

signalling Summer.

 

by Scooj