Tag: Bristol

5114. River Avon (41)

Haka, River Avon, Bristol, March 2023
Haka, River Avon, Bristol, March 2023

I recently took a Japanese friend of mine for a second guided tour of some of Bristol’s spots, and we brought the dog with us this time. The tour started at Sparke Evans Park, then along the river to Temple Meads Station before returning on the south side of the river via the Paintworks. A decent walk, taking in some great street and graffiti art.

Haka, River Avon, Bristol, March 2023
Haka, River Avon, Bristol, March 2023

Although I have known about this Haka piece for a while, I simply haven’t walked past it since it was painted, probably because it is just a little bit far for my normal lunchtime rambles. It is a stunning Gruffalo piece, continuing his theme of children’s picture book characters, in particular those authored by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. This one is a real beauty. Haka really is on the crest of an inspiration wave at the moment, and long may it last.

5113. Dean Lane skate park (581)

Amy Lee Jones, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Amy Lee Jones, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023

This is another piece from the Bristol Mural Collective paint jam on 8 March to celebrate International Women’s Day – and what better way to celebrate than to paint a few walls.

Amy Lee Jones, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Amy Lee Jones, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023

This piece, on the right, is by Amy Lee Jones, an artist whose website states that she is from Leiden in the Netherlands, although I am guessing she is living or staying in Bristol at the moment. Primarily a studio artist who is focussing on abstract realism portraits, this piece is inspired by @reedamberx, and is quite different to her studio work.

To the left is a very powerful portrait piece, which I think is also by Amy Lee Jones, but can’t be completely certain. The style looks the same. These paint jams are always a great opportunity to be introduced to a whole raft of Bristol artists that might otherwise be overlooked.

5112. M32 roundabout J3 (459)

Serm, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2023
Serm, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2023

In Bristol, we have several what I would call ‘occasional’ artists, who are accomplished in their own right, but simply don’t paint walls all that often and Serm would fall into that category. For example, I have only spotted five of his pieces since February 2021, and although he may have painted more than that, his pieces are few and far between.

Serm, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2023
Serm, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2023

The great thing about these occasional writers is that it is always extra special when you do come across a piece. Serm tends to paint large block letters, which he has done on this occasion with a yellow background and shades of purple and lilac in his letter fills. There is a strong sense of industry and solidity in the piece looking like it would weigh a lot if you could pick it up. A few more years, and I might have enough Serm pieces to cobble a gallery together.

5111. St Werburghs tunnel (363)

Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

Now this is a proper mash-up collaboration, a conflation of two distinct styles from two outstanding artists, Benjimagnetic and Hemper. It is rare to find something of this nature where the artists fully collaborate so that the whole piece is one, and not two.

Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

Although it is one combined piece, it is possible to disentangle which artist painted which bits. Broadly speaking the letters with straight bits and geometric elements are by Benjimagnetic, and the more curvy elements are likely to be by Hemper. It doesn’t really matter who painted what, because the end result is a wonderfully complex piece of writing that is jam-packed with great artistry.

Charming

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First sighting this year

goldfinches sweep into view

uplifting moment

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by Scooj

5110. M32 Cycle path (204)

Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

This is a rather classy piece of writing from Wxttsart which was painted alongside a stunning portrait by Rozalita, and both of them stand out, with red being the dominant background colour used.

Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

As always, Wxttsart’s work spells out MILK, although up until recently I have had difficulty in describing the letter style. I think I have almost cracked it though. The uniformity of the letters and stylised script font suggests that the work could be described as calligraffiti, but it also has a slightly abstract feel to it too, so I like to call Wxttsart’s artwork ‘abstract calligraffiti’, which works for me. Whatever you want to call it, it has an impact. Almost time for a gallery of his work – watch this space.

5109. St Werburghs tunnel (632)

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

When this piece was painted, it was the fourth by Mr Klue in a row. That sequence has now been broken, with the first piece having recently been painted over. It is something of a miracle that he had four joined pieces in the first place.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

Painted in his wispy abstract style, this KLUE writing has a fabulous colour scheme, picking up like green and shades of purple and pink, with white highlights on the upper part of the word. Truly inspiring and thoughtful stuff from Mr Klue.

5108. Cumberland Basin

Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023
Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023

For a little while now, Peggy has been brightening up dark corners of our streets with her beautiful floral designs.  This small piece is on the warehouse on the opposite bank of the river facing the Riverside Garden Centre. I don’t wander alongside the warehouse, so am not too sure how long the piece has been there. It is still looking pretty fresh though, however old.

Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023
Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023

Peggy’s style is instantly recognisable with its flowing shapes and beautiful tones, more often than not, an eye makes its way into the composition. It is easy to see the crossover between Tattoo art and street art in her pieces. This is a little beauty.

5107. Dean Lane skate park (580)

Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023

This is the second of two ‘lost treasures’ that somehow got stuck in my publishing system from January, and which continues to be a bit of a mystery to me. It is a stunning and bright piece by Smut, and a great reminder of his outstanding talents.

Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023

Smut always creates arresting pieces with bright bold letters and the cleanest finish of any artist in Bristol. His work is always immaculate and precise, and a benchmark for others to strive for. The black letters, with a white 3D shadow and border, are interrupted by a school of pink ovals passing through, with an element of ‘transparency’ where they drift in front of the black lettering. Brilliantly conceived and executed.

Morning break

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Children’s playground cries

tumble down the mottled hill

then silence returns

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by Scooj