I was so pleased to see yet another lovely piece from Maesyhook, especially as it was painted alongside Bristol legends Ryder and T-Rex. Although Maesyhook is, I think, a relatively new resident of the city, she has certainly made herself very much at home, which is good news for all of us.
Maesyhook, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2021
The piece she has painted here adopts her customary pink and turquoise colour scheme but the dear little kawaii character has been replaced with a rather less cuddly skull and the tag-line ‘scorchio’. This is another in a series of enjoyable pieces from Maesyhook and I look forward to many more.
A few weeks ago, a friend organised a group (socially distanced by family) visit to a T20 cricket match at the Bristol County Cricket Ground, where Gloucestershire play their home games (Bristol was at one time in the county of Gloucestershire). This was the first match at the ground for 18 months and the sparse crowd created a great atmosphere. We had a really good time. My experience was, of course enhanced by the opportunity to find some Silent Hobo commissions that are within the ground. This is the first I am sharing on Natural Adbentures.
Silent Hobo, Bristol County Ground, Bristol, June 2021
Silent Hobo is a brilliant artist and one of his many qualities is that he is able to work to a brief. In this piece he has faithfully recreated the cricket ground, with a match in progress, and the cricket ball bursting out of the wall. It is a quintessential English scene given the Silent Hobo treatment. So good to see it at last. More to come from this trip.
The Pirate Wall Art (PWA) boys have been very busy this year both as individuals and as collaborators. They have also introduced a bit on a new look theme to their more recent work, which is well demonstrated in this nice piece from Soap.
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2021
The new theme is to frame the piece in a wobbly border, and it is something that Soap, Nightwayss and Face 1st are incorporating into their work. It is a PWA thing. This is a rather nice self-contained piece with Soap’s mouth/skull icon, this time attached to a body, and a hand bearing a large gem. Next time I see Soap, I must ask him what the gem thing is all about – he has been featuring them in his work for about six months now. Great fun piece.
So here we are again with another couple of fabulous small pieces by urban artist Maybe. When it comes to simplicity and creativity Maybe ticks all the boxes, and with these pieces he also creates a sense of fun.
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021
The lava lamp, such an iconic design, is inspired and the stretching ‘lava’ liquid takes the form of a couple of faces… such a lovely idea.
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021
The other piece is unfortunately a little obscured with a tag on the left, but it is mostly intact, and the sunshine face is a joyful image. Much more to come from this imaginative artist.
One of my all time favourite artists in Bristol is Hazard, and it is not difficult to understand why. Her portraits, so full of depth, emotion and colour, can be found dotted around the city, and although many have long-since gone, there are still several to be found. This new piece for the Upfest 75 walls in 75 days initiative, is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also frustratingly difficult to photograph.
Hazard, North Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
I passed by while she was mid-way through painting the piece and was going to stop for a chat, but I could see that she was in full flow and I didn’t really want to disturb her. I rather like the ladder on the side of the building, taking away a little bit of the glamour we might associate with being a muralist.
Hazard, North Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
The piece itself is a gorgeous portrait of a woman in deep red colours with blue hair and a Garland of what looks like clouds and vapours in a pinky orange hue. The connection with nature is obvious, as it is in so many of Hazard’s pieces, with the leaves to the right of the piece.
It is so good to see Hazard back out painting our walls, it has been a quiet eighteen months from her.
I always feel like I am a little bit behind the curve when it comes to Stivs. He has only really come onto my radar over the last twelve months or so, and I have struggled to post as many of his outstanding pieces as I would like.
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2021
This is a real beauty, tucked away on the M32 roundabout. Unlike some of his more formal caligraffiti, this piece uses his calligraphic principals and blends them into some wildstyle writing. The colours work really well together and Stivs has worked in some incredibly detailed fills and patterns. This is a mighty piece.
This is another example of the willingness of Eman to stretch himself and experiment with different subjects and forms, and I for one am thoroughly enjoying the ride. The skull of an ungulate would not be everyone’s first thought for street art, but it is a perfect study for honing the skills.
Eman, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2021
Eman’s versatility and productivity is elevating the artist’s profile in Bristol, and all the hard work is paying off. Two things I love about this piece: the shadings of blues and whites to give the skull some depth and texture; and the somewhat counterintuitive red border, which is quite a bold thing to do. Great piece.