3461. Brunel Way bridge (88)

Of all the ‘masters’ of Bristol graffiti writing, I think that Hemper is probably the least represented on Natural Adventures. I am not entirely sure why that might be. Perhaps it is the modest approach he takes to his highly technical freestyle work, or to the fact that he normally paints with other artists, which might take the attention away. I don’t know. Anyhow, I really ought to address this imbalance – perhaps with a gallery.

Hemper, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2021
Hemper, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2021

In this piece under Brunel Way, Hemper spells out HEMS with some glorious curvy letters filled with a couple of shade of purple and embellished in a way that gives it a shiny 3D effect – how does he achieve that shiny thing? Some very clever white additions that give it a reflective quality. This is a real technical banger.

3452. Brunel Way bridge (87)

My last post featured a piece by Pura Decadensia and in researching that piece I was able to hunt down the artist who painted this mysterious portrait under Brunel Way from a few months back. It is by Moño (she quite rightly stresses the ñ) and it was the first piece painted in Bristol by the Fuerteventurian artist.

Moño, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020
Moño, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020

I am staggered by how many Spanish artists we have in Bristol now and I’m not quite sure what we’d do without them. Moño swells their ranks and on the evidence of this piece is a superb addition to our city. I believe Moño is a tattoo artist, but this portrait has some lovely features, in particular the hair which is very nicely done indeed. This is an unusual piece, but really ticks all my boxes. I can’t wait to see more of her work.

3449. Brunel Way bridge (87)

At last a piece by Benjimagnetic that I can actually read. It quite clearly spells out BEN, much like many of his other pieces, but this one more legibly. It is interesting to note that Benjimagnetic is painting a few of these less cryptic pieces at the moment demonstrating that he is clearly not a one trick pony.

Benjimagnetic, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2021
Benjimagnetic, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2021

I hadn’t particularly been looking for this, and when I first saw it, wasn’t too clear who it was by until the penny dropped with the BEN and the little hollow highlights (that look like ‘V’s) that are such a trademark of the artist. Silver and Gold work well in this piece and which again are quite unusual colour selections that I wouldn’t normally associate with Benjimagnetic. A nice modest piece.

3443. Brunel Way bridge (85)

One of the most dramatic turnarounds on the Bristol graffiti art scene has to be the return of Turoe since his absence midway through last year which I think was due to ill health. He has been prolific since, most notably for his ‘Shyte Year’ series, condensing into two, or sometimes one word, 2020. This is a return to his Turoe writing.

Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, Jauary 2021
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, Jauary 2021

Painted alongside some No Frills colleagues, this one is a real beauty in gold and red. It is a reasonably straightforward piece with a nice solid gold fill and striking red 3D shadows. There is a subtle white border, barely noticeable that lifts the whole thing. A very nice piece indeed.

3412. Brunel Way bridge (84)

When I first saw this piece I thought it might have been by Mudra, mainly because of the bright colours and capped character, but I couldn’t find his recognisable signature anywhere, so I had to think again. It is in fact by Dit Oner, whose range of styles is to be admired.

Dit Oner, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Dit Oner, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is a writing-character piece with the character being incorporated as one of the letters. The letters are beautifully designed and filled and the little white highlights help with the 3D effect. The character too is very nicely done and integrated into the writing. I have my doubts however about the yellow background. it simply doesn’t work for me, just a bit yucky and insipid. perhaps a darker colour might have worked better. Nonetheless a fine piece of writing from the Spaniard.

3398. Brunel Way bridge (83)

It is very difficult for me to keep up with the massive productivity of street/graffiti art in Bristol. As it is, I only post a fraction of the pieces I photograph here on Natural Adventures. The rest go into the archives, which is a real shame but that is how it is. Seasonal pieces, such as this one from Mr Draws are nearly always out of sync because I have a queue of pieces waiting to post – an artefact of the system I use.

Mr Draws, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Mr Draws, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

I love this one from Mr Draws – it has a generous and kind spirit about it and manages to convey the moments of Christmas cleverly by incorporating Christmas puddings, lights and a Christmas tree. The letters are sharp, and it looks like Mr Draws has put a lot of love into this one. I only wish I had been able to post it at Christmas, but you’ll have to make do with it now.

3389. Brunel Way bridge (82)

It’s that man again, Todoaciem, with one of his outstanding calligraphy pieces spelling out CIEM1. He really has been turning out some of the most consistently brilliant pieces of late and is fast establishing himself on the Bristol scene.

Todoaciem, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

There is something of a mini Spanish armada in Bristol at the moment, and along with the strong Polish contingent, the city is becoming a wonderful culturally diverse melting pot for street art. We are blessed to be able to see so much art on our walls each day in so many styles from so many resident artists.

The piece itself not only stands out for its uniformity of typeface, but also for those incredible gold fills and the striped blue and white 3D shadow. One to admire.

3382. Brunel Way Bridge (81)

A beautiful and typically imaginative piece of writing from Sled One, painted alongside a Ments piece I posted last week. The colour palette is rather unusual set on a pale yellow background, certainly uplifting in this rather dark place.

Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

The letters spell out MENTS, which is confusing, because I spent ages trying to find his usual SLED letters. I’m not sure what the symbolism of the brick walls and barbed wire is, but it might be a comment on the pandemic restrictions we have all had to suffer for so long. An interesting piece.

3373. Brunel Way bridge (80)

Underneath Brunel Way in the damp and tortured light conditions is this rather lovely tribute piece by Ments to a person called Sam, you can probably make out the letters.

Ments, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Ments, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is quite an unusual piece by Ments and I think is in part quite experimental. His work is usually organic in nature with fluidity being a central effect. In this piece however, Ments has introduced some quite solid forms and even what appears to be a rock foundation – a more geological approach perhaps. The bright colours speak of joy and happiness. This is a wonderful tribute piece beautifully thought out and painted.

3358. Brunel Way bridge (79)

I will apologise up front for any profanities in this post or any others in the coming days featuring work by Turoe who appears to be on a mission to tell us what a terrible year it has been, and although we already know it, there is value in laying down these markers lest we forget.

Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is one of several pieces of writing that have appeared over the last fortnight or so all over Bristol, and each one of them nicely executed. At first there was a little confusion over who was behind them, but it didn’t take too long to work out that it was Turoe. There is some classy skill behind this piece and it is so obviously by an experienced hand – one might ordinarily associate the word ‘Shite’ to be associated with taggers or quick and dirty throw-ups, but not here, this is quality writing.