1183. M32 roundabout J3 (55)

Regular readers will know how much I love it when ‘guest’ artists come to Bristol and leave us presents, and this is some present.  The work is by Eleduworks who was visiting from his native Barcelona and painting with some of Bristol’s best – Sled One, Sepr, Ments, Epok and 3Dom.

Eleduworks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Eleduworks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017

There is something very different about this piece, and it really sits comfortably with its neighbours. Another thing that is not obvious from the picture is the scale of this piece – the wall is about 14 ft high, so this really is an impressive imaginary skull. Love it.

1182. Dean Lane skate park (92)

A recent piece from Mr Draws at Dean Lane skate park. I am glad that he is out there spraying again because his work always brings a smile to my face. He plays with simple ideas and and works them up in a unique style. There is nobody quite like Mr Draws.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017

I still don’t think he is spraying as much as he was earlier on in the year, and it seems like ages since I last bumped into him…I think it was at Upfest. It will be interesting to see if the cold weather will slow down the turnover of street art in Bristol…a part of me hopes so as my backlog of pictures is huge.

 

 

1181. Leonard Lane (13)

I love Leonard Lane. It is a strange thing I know, to love a narrow claustrophobic alleyway that smells a lot, but I can’t help myself. It was one of the first places I used to visit regularly to photograph street art and graffiti, and I return periodically soaking up its unique atmosphere.

Decay, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Decay, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2017

It has been a long while since anything decent went up in Leonard Lane, and how fitting that it should come from Decay. I am still trying to understand the words that accompany this piece ‘my direction will not be controlled by my excuse’.

Decay, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Decay, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2017

Reverting back to his normal reds, greys and blacks, Decay has really nailed this new addition to the Lane. It is also interesting how the piece has brought out the grille in the wall, which might otherwise have gone unnoticed. A lovely piece.

1180. Upfest 2016 (160)

This was unquestionably one of the most memorable portraits of Upfest 2016. It is a face with a wonderful expression and crazy hair. The artist of this piece is Xemayo, about whom I know nothing and there wasn’t even a biography in the festival programme.

Xemayo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Xemayo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

From his Facebook page I can make out that he comes from Valencia in Spain and his full name is Xemayo Gonzalez Vidal.

Xemayo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Xemayo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

It would appear from looking at his feed that much of his street artwork takes on the form of these large portraits, often pulling faces. I love this upfest piece.

Thursday doors

Door Ten

Averys Wine Merchant, Frogmore Street, Bristol
Averys Wine Merchant, Frogmore Street, Bristol

Averys wine merchants – experts in wine since 1793.

Thursday Doors – Norm 2.0

1179. Upfest 2016 (159)

I never posted this fabulous small piece until now, because I haven’t been able to identify the artist, and regular readers will know what a stickler I am for such things. However, sometimes it simply isn’t right not to share, and this piece is so good I have gone ahead.

Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Of course if there is anyone out there who might know who the artist is, please let me know.

It is not until you get right up close that you see the fabulous work that has gone into this remarkable piece. There is a lot of detail and some interesting techniques that have gone into this work, and the overall effect is of the highest quality.

Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I like this, a lot – it has something that ticks a lot of boxes for me.

1178. Upfest 2016 (158)

What a lovely piece this is by Gage (Oliver Gillard), and actually what a hugely gifted artist he is. Gage is based in Bristol and runs his own business Gage Graphics, offering large mural commissions.

Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

In this piece he has some floating 3D writing and a spray can (the tool of his trade) bursting with wildlife and colour. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to really appreciate this piece. I think it is because the images were stored in my archive upside down, and it is hard to appreciate and pick out upside down thumbnails. Lovely work.

Wet

 

Needed not wanted

rain falls continuously

from Atlantic fronts.

 

by Scooj

1177. Upfest 2016 (157)

It is strange how things come together sometimes. I have only a few days ago posted Hoshiko’s drowned out effort from Upfest 2017, and here I am posting his piece from the previous year. In both cases my photographs don’t really do his work justice – here I have him working but no final picture of the completed board and from 2017, he never actually finished the piece off. Perhaps it’ll be third time lucky if he comes to Upfest 2018.

Hoshiko, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Hoshiko, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This piece is rather cheerful and light-hearted, with a little monster (utterly unscary) roaring. I think the stencil text at the bottom says ‘I’m a dinosaur’. Some similarities with the work of Miss Wah.

1176. Upfest 2016 (156)

Rewinding a little bit back to Upfest 2016 and a series of five more pieces that never quite made it into the blog…because Upfest 2017 happened! This is a lovely piece that was on the hoardings in North Street. It took me a long time to find out who the artist is, but it turns out that it is Pronk-Stukken who also produced this piece at the same event.

Pronk Stukken, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Pronk Stukken, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This piece has a strong connection with Mother Earth or nature in my view, and there is a calm serenity in the face. Curiously, this was one of my favourite pieces from the 2106 festival and remains embedded in my memory.