Following my post of a fabulous Xenz piece in Shoreditch a few days ago, I was reminded about this old one on a garage door in Devon Road, Bristol. I had to trawl through my archives and was thrilled to find it… a task that might sound simpler than it is.
Xenz, Devon Road, Bristol, July 2018
This is a simple piece, perfect for the garage, lifting it out of the bland and ordinary to become a thing of beauty as well as practicality. If only more of the carbuncles and eyesores of our city could be similarly transformed. There is a strong sense of calm in this painting and a connection with nature that I find uplifting. The bee eaters are beautiful too.
I don’t think I can ever recall being disappointed with a Sepr piece in the few years that I have been enjoying street art. His distinctive cartoon style and sense of fun ooze from his works which usually raise a smile.
Sepr, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2019
In this piece, marking the end of 2018, we see a sunbather being mildly abused by some birds (gulls?). One is stealing his ring, another emptying cream on his tummy, another drinking his cocktail and the last using a magnifying glass to burn his toes. Now when I first saw this, I thought someone had drawn a cock and balls on the man’s stomach, but the more I have looked at it, the more I think it is a sketch drawn by the bird with the tube of sun cream. A brilliant piece – comedy on a hoarding. Nice to see that Sepr and Epok have decorated the nearby wheely bin too.
Aspire, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, July 2022Aspire, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022Aspire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2016Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21Aspire, Alfred Road, Bristol, March 2020Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018Aspire, St Mark’s Avenue, Bristol, September 2019Aspire, Nomadic Community Garden, Brick Lane, London, April 2019Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018Aspire, Newfoundland Street, Bristol, March 2018Ryder and Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2017Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 20172Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2017Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2016Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, June 2016Aspire, City Road, Bristol, October 2016Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2016Aspire and Mr Klue, City Road, Bristol, March 2016Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, May 2016Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016Aspire, City Road, Bristol, January 2016Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016Aspire, Charles Street, Bristol
This was a wonderful and carefree piece beautifully painted by the cheerful and smiling Arladiss, an artist I believe to be from Norway. I noticed that this wasn’t the only piece she worked on during Upfest, although I’m not sure it was planned that way. It seems that the weather may have deterred one or two of the artists and that in South Street Park, where Arladiss was painting, there were a few vacant boards.
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
You can see from her Facebook pages that most of her work features children enjoying and being a part of the local environment. Indeed, her Upfest profile says that ‘she wants children in a neighbourhood to see the importance of their existence, and show them that they are a vital and beautiful part of the community’.
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Her enthusiasm for her work was infectious, and it was fun watching her paint. The combination of the child striking a child-like pose and the birds swirling around her, give a tremendous sense of innocence and freedom.
We were treated to some wonderfully colourful pieces at Upfest last year, but right up there with the best of them was this lovely piece by KOB, aka Kobtropikal. Kob, originally from Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, started painting in 1999.
Kobtropical, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
KOB has a rather organic approach to his work and favours painting surreal imaginary animals or plants or combinations of the two. He has a Facebook page, and interestingly has selected this piece as his avatar, so he must have been pleased with it. This piece has stuck in my mind, when many others have drifted in and out. It must have some strong elements that make it so memorable. A fine piece.
Back to my roots for a moment. This whole blogging experience began in February 2015, when I was taken ill with ‘flu and had to spend several days in bed. For a long time I had wanted to digitise a journal I wrote in 1988 but simply hadn’t had the time. Being Ill afforded me the chance to get started.
Since then I have been increasingly distracted by haiku and street art and feel bad that I have for so long neglected the original purpose of ‘Natural Adventures’.
The full journal can be accesses by clicking on the homepage of Natural Adventures under the heading on the left ‘Falkland Journal, 1988’. For context it is worth reading the first entry ‘An Ill Wind’. Enjoy.
Saturday 18 June 1988. Koei Maru 30
I woke at 06:05 with a start and a half – I couldn’t believe that I had overslept by four hours. Panic! Perhaps it was the double mattress.
Sleeping on a double mattress
But there was no standby bell. There was no fishing today. I don’t understand why because the weather has been good, despite a gentle swell of about 15 feet or so. Possibly just to give the crew a rest
The reason I was given was “the parameter” ?? eh? I thought, then I realised they were saying “barometer”.
I watched Mosquito Coast – a good film, but inclined to depress me.
Now King Kong Lives has just begun. I never knew such a film existed – looks like it could be good.
King Kong
I quite enjoyed King Kong, the remake, but this film looks slightly laughable.
Today I have spoken no more than fifteen words. This makes me sad.
Sunday 19 June 1988. Koei Maru 30
Another long hard day. This is more like it! I think that this is ten times better than squid fishing. I’m sure my enthusiasm will fade before long, but the fact that there are only twenty or so bottom long-liners in Japan and this is the only Jigger-long-liner makes me feel quite lucky. This is my baby and I am going to do a good job!
Today some grenadiers, and at last some Patagonian Toothfish. I think the Fishing Master was pleased, hence the saki at supper – it is potent stuff – yummie.
Crew on the Koie Maru 30 processing long-line caught fish, Falkland Islands 1988
Last night I had a very vivid dream about Mr Baker (my housemaster at school) as he was when I first met him twelve years ago. I think he is ill or dying or dead, I don’t know why, but I just get that feeling. He was so friendly (in the dream) and knew who I was – he came over to me and started chatting – I felt close to him, like I did in my final year at school. Odd.
Tomorrow I talk to Fishops via KSJ (the fishing agent) – why is it always like this? Fishops radio, like everything else is so bloody inefficient!
Monday 20 June 1988. Koei Maru 30
Today is colder and the catch is very poor – no doubt the Fishing Master will be in a rather bad mood today.
I am sure that before long, there will be an accident in the factory deck. Already the Ice Master has gaffed his own leg. Next it will be a finger in the circular saw or a hook in the face. It is bound to happen sooner or later.
‘Don’t give up ’cause you have friends
Don’t give up you’re not the only one
Don’t give up no reason to be ashamed
Don’t give up you still have us
Don’t give up now we’re proud of who you are
Don’t give up you know its never been easy
Don’t give up ’cause I believe there’s a place there’s a place where we belong’
This could keep me going for a while.
Everyone has gone to bed sharpish (it is now 7pm). After some 17 hours work I don’t yet know if we work tomorrow. I fear so, because we are steaming now to a new fishing ground.
There is a…what? I’ve forgotten – oh yes, a patrol ship the Falkland Desire on its way to deliver some letters for me. So I am writing a whole bunch of pre-paid airmail letters.
Tuesday 21 June 1988. Koei Maru 30
Oops – I overslept this morning, thinking that after such a tough day yesterday they would have a day off – no such luck.
Luckily the Fishing Master writes down times, temperatures etc. for the set and deployment, so it isn’t so bad missing the start.
Saw some penguins in a school, leaping like dolphins out of the water – and a seal, playing with a dead Salilota (red cod).
Peterels and Black browed albatross feed on discarded fish waste, Falkland Islands 1988.
I’ve taken some otoliths for myself to try to help explain the work I do.
Perhaps tomorrow I’ll take some photographs of such things (for my lectures!)
Some funny dreams last night about getting caught sleeping with Emma W by my dad – very odd – try to interpret that. All in all very confusing.
It is now about 5.30pm and I am ready for a good night’s sleep. I’ll continue to read One Hundred Years of Solitude, and then I’ll dream of Deb and home.
Natural adventures 