Kamikaze gulls
oblivious of traffic
grab food from the road.
One tumbles under a car;
fortune favours the stupid.
by Scooj
Tag: Bristol
2326. Fern Street
This is the third of the Seven Saints of St Paul’s pieces by Michele Curtis and Paintsmiths that I have posted, and it is a real stunner. I love these pictures, because the light and sky are perfect, bringing out the best in the artwork.
This ‘saint’ is Barbara Dettering, who was one of the co-founders of the St Paul’s Carnival (along with the other six ‘saints’) and who fought for the rights for people from the Afro-Caribbean community in Bristol.
Michele Curtis and the Paintsmiths have once again pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one. It is an exquisite mural and one that is such a classy way to recognise and pay tribute to local heroes. Not only is the portrait beautifully painted, but the flowers and exotic bird balance the piece perfectly. I love this.
2325. New Stadium Road (16)
A beautiful aquatic scene and collaboration by Bristol fave Tasha Bee (keeping it colourful) and new boy on the block (to me at least) Conrico. For a while now, a loose aggregation or crew has been in existence called ‘the Monday Club’. At its heart is Tasha Bee, but other members include Soap, Zake, Face 1st and now Conrico amongst others. This is a Monday Club production.
I have only seen two pieces by Conrico to date (the other one to follow soon) and what I have seen so far I like. There is a great story going on in this piece with the diver who seems to be making away with some pearls or at least looks like he is up to no good. I like the spray cans in his helmet and the manic fish adding to a sense of mischief.
The other half of the collaboration, by Tasha Bee, has a mermaid who seems to be equally obsessed with the Pearl she has in her left hand. And just next to her is the shell from which the pearls are coming. Speaking as a marine biologist I ought to point out a few inaccuracies in the piece, but speaking as an admirer of art I think this is a wonderful collaboration in the story-telling style.
2324. Dean Lane skate park (232)
This is the second post I have written about a piece by DFC1848. You may recall from the last one that the artist is better known to me as a street art hunter who takes great pictures of street art in Bristol, Cheltenham and further afield.
DFC1848 has started doing a bit of spraying himself, and in my eyes it is pretty good. This little character contains the letters DFC, although what these stand for I have no idea… I’ll have to ask him next time I see him. I went to this wall yesterday, and sadly (but rather predictably) it has been sprayed over, but it is possible to see remnants of the piece. I am full of admiration for his work and inspired to carry on practising so that I can take the leap and do a piece on a wall somewhere, sometime.
2323. North Street
Mid-way along North Street is a rather nice craft shop called Creative space, and recently Andy Council gave the upper level a fabulous makeover. I think it was part of the Upfest Summer Editions event, which has more than made up for the lack of a full blown festival this year.
The space is not an easy one to paint and I think that Andy Council has made a great job of creating a symmetrical piece over the two windowswith what looks like two Chinese dragons facing off in the middle.
As with all his pieces, if you take a little look closer you can see that it is made up of buildings and architectural features, and around the beasts there is a liberral sprinkling of toadstools. This is a stunning piece (difficult to photograph on account of the bright skies behind) that exemplifies the talents of this most treasured Bristol artist.
K is for Kat
Across the great sea
the miles are no barrier
to a fine friendship
by Scooj
2322. Brunel Way Bridge (15)
You can always spot a high-quality piece of graffiti writing. There is something about the confidence with which it is painted, the clarity of the lines and competence of the fills, not to mention the accoutrements. This piece by Turoe has it all.
Tucked away under the Brunel Way bridge, the piece was completed during a paint jam with Veks (to follow) and really is of the highest quality. I don’t have many pictures of Turoe’s work, so it was great to capture this one.
2321. M32 roundabout J3 (151)
I love this little piece in one of the tunnels of the M32 roundabout. It is by Face 1st, and although completely recognisable as his work, it is a shift away from his usual belle, and one that I love. It is characteristic of his branching out and exploring new ways to present his art.
It is the eyes that are the clue to the artist, they seem to have an anime appearance about them and are always most appealing. Although it is small and hidden I can’t help feeling that this is representative of the significant shift happening in Face 1st’s work right now.
Pride
Sounds of Bristol Pride
cascade across Redland Green;
dogs play joyfully.
by Scooj
2320. St Werburghs tunnel (88)
Another artist who seems to have spent the winter in hibernation is Daz Cat, but he has certainly woken up recently, and this rather uplifting pun-message (have a mice day), and perhaps slightly less uplifting image is a recent piece from St Werburghs Tunnel.
What is interesting about this one is that Daz Cat has shown time and time again that he can paint these great cats, and dogs too sometimes in his wonderful style, but judging from this piece, I think a bit more practice on his mice is needed.
Now that I have started trying to spray paint myself I know how difficult it is so it is perhaps a bit rich for me to be too judging of other’s work. Perhaps this is why theatre critics don’t act or direct.
Natural adventures 