Correction: I have since found out, from Zed in the Clouds, that this character was actually painted by his friend Morph. The writing by Zed was actually to the left of the character. We all make mistakes.
I am utterly baffled that this is only the second piece by Zed in the Clouds that I have published on Natural Adventures, which is in no way representative of the number of pictures I have taken of his work, nor the quality of it. I can’t think why he has been squeezed out, and I will definitely have to do something about the situation.
Morph, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
This is a nice clean cartoon character piece featuring a young man in a relaxed meditation pose, wearing what looks like a helmet with a pink visor. I like the simplicity of the piece, but also the attention to detail, such as the creases on his t-shirt accompanied by subtle darker shading. Watch this space for more from Zed in the Clouds.
There are few things more tempting for graffiti and street artists than a newly buffed wall, and this one from a week or two back was an open invitation. The tragedy is that the walls are buffed by people as part of a community service order, as punishment for crimes not serious enough to warrant custody. Their work is pointless, and frankly a waste of paint, but nice prep for artists.
Merny, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Quick to take advantage of the backdrop was Merny with this portrait piece including his trademark dot labels. The colours are rather striking and as such the piece grabs your attention. I rather like it, but from conversations with Merny, it would seem he isn’t that impressed with it. In case you missed it, I published a gallery of Merny’s work yesterday, and you can see it here.
Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022
The writing says MOTEL, don’t ask me why, but it is an interesting word to choose – perhaps it gives options for some good letter shapes. The artist has one of the best names on the scene – Dog Bless the Band – again don’t ask me where that comes from, sometimes it is better not to know these things as it takes away the mystery.
Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022
One of the things that is consistent with all the Dog Bless the Band pieces that I have seen is the complex fills in muted tones. These subtle patterns are a refreshing change from the often brash shapes and colours that most fills are made of. I like to think of these fills by Dog Bless the Band as ‘muddy’ but in a good way, if that makes sense. I always love finding his special and unique work.
I have not posted many pieces from The Paintworks wall, which is a bit of a shame really, so I will try to change that if I can. This is a very nice abstract piece from Billy, full of colour and character, as you would expect from the artist. The wall is a little bit grubby, which suggests that the piece has been here for some while.
Billy, The Paintworks, Bristol, August 2022
Billy always manages to create uplifting work, and the combinations of shapes and colours carefully slung together in this piece work well for me. The other thing I like about this piece is that it is nicely framed with a black border that helps us to focus on the art within it.
He’s been at it again, and at this rate, Tack Jucker is painting his way into a Natural Adventures gallery. Pretty much half of all the pieces I have seen by Tack Jucker feature apes of some kind, usually with a fairly aggressive facial eexpression, and this new one under Brunel Way falls into that category.
Tack Jucker, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022
The little dots for pupils make this ape appear rather more unhinged than some of the other ones, and I am not sure whether the artist painted them or they are a tagged addition. There is plenty of movement, augmented by the green wisps and threat emanating from the bared teeth of the ape. Overall, this is another fine example of Tack Jucker’s work, which I am really enjoying.
I may have mentioned recently that Biers has been absolutely smashing it recently, and this Sherlock Holmes piece alongside the river confirms this rich vein of form. You can see more from Biers in this recently updated gallery of his work.
Biers, River Avon, Bristol, August 2022
What I like about Biers (the name he was using when I first became aware of him) is that although his style remains ostensibly the same, he manages to completely reinvent his letters, this evolution so far being – BIERS – OHYEAH – WD40 -. In the last two reincarnations, he has used the ‘O’ or ‘0’ to act as a frame for his character. In this piece he has cleverly incorporated green colours commensurate with the outdoor clothing (deer-stalker and macintosh) of Sherlock Holmes. A belter.
After what seems like a very long absence, Upfest apart, Rusk has been hitting Bristol pretty hard lately, perhaps encouraged by his pal Zesk, who has been visiting and with whom he has painted a couple of collaborative walls. Anything that gets Rusk out painting has to be good.
Rusk, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
This is an unusual and really rather beautifully designed piece from the writer. Spelling our RUSK in ‘ribbon’ letters and augmented with an abstract pink accent line, there is a great sense of proportion, colour tones and overall freshness that makes this piece an absolute classic. Not edgy, not rough and ready, but intelligent, well-thought-out and artistic. This is a next-level piece from Rusk (in my view).
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