Tag: Calligraphy

4388. River Avon (30)

It is not all that long ago, through the winter, when Stivs was producing new pieces at will and barely a week went by without one or two new works from him. This spring has been a slightly different story, and it feels like a while since I saw anything new, until I found this one on the River Avon path. Since finding this, he has been out a little more, and there are further new pieces to share with you.

Stivs, River Avon, Bristtol, April 2022
Stivs, River Avon, Bristtol, April 2022

Stivs is one of two brilliant calligraffiti artists in Bristol, that is artists who specialise in calligraphic writing. This is a real beauty in chrome with a blue 3D shadow and mint green border. Lovely regular letters spelling out STIVS. A scattering of mint dots to add a little interest, and hey presto! You have a banging burner.

3833. Purdown HAA Battery (29)

Skronius is an artist whose work I have only ever seen up at Purdown Battery, and I know very little about him. I like what I have seen though, and his style is very illustrative and looks more like canvas work than a spray-painted wall. The Bristol artist I would most liken him to is Conrico.

Skronius, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021
Skronius, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021

There is a lot to like in this small piece in which a skeleton (just the skull really) is advancing to cause mischief, no doubt. The colour selections are superb, with the subtle purples creating shadows, rather than black. Skronius has signed the piece with some lovely calligraphic writing (Stivs had better watch out). I am hungry for more from Skronius, and perhaps in some other locations.

3785. M32 roundabout J3 (334)

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
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.

3741. Brunel Way (110)

What a wonderful and fresh collaboration this is from Stivs and an artist new to me (at the time of taking this picture) Maesyhook. The wall is often difficult to photograph, but I am pleased with these pictures – not too much glare.

Maesyhook, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2021
Maesyhook, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2021

On the left is a sugar-sweet cat/unicorn sitting on a cloud looking very cute, painted in the Japanese Kawaii style, something you don’t see too often in Bristol… until now. I am guessing that Maesyhook has only recently moved to Bristol, although she is originally from Granada, and is another addition to the growing community of Spanish street artists in Bristol. The writing at the bottom originally said Love Rave – Love 21 June 2021 – a reference to an all-day rave at the Lakota on Monday next week. Watch this space for more of her recent work.

Stivs, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2021
Stivs, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2021

To the right is yet another outstanding piece of calligraphy graffiti (calligraffiti) writing from Stivs who is in a very rich vein of form at the moment. I think it spells FUTURE (correction… KARP), although I might be wrong, however, this is an outstanding piece of art. The blue letters are perfectly accompanied by the red, pink, yellow and purple edges, lifting them out from the wall and the whole thing is bordered with a very clean triple line. Remarkable. and then as if that were not enough, Stivs has worked in a ton of fabulous drips. One of the very best of its type. Bravo!

3722. Sparke Evans Park (6)

This beautiful piece of calligraphic writing is from Todoaciem and a part of a large collaborative wall from an HMR crew paint jam a few weeks back. I have already posted the Dabuten Tronko piece from the same wall, and now it is the turn of Todoaciem.

Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021

The wall itself can be problematic to photograph, because the sun shines through large trees, creating a dappled effect. The only solution is to come early in the morning or on an overcast day, but beggars can’t be choosers, so dappled pictures is what I have.

Set on a green smokey background, which is amplified by the light quality, Todoaciem has written the letters CIEM in the most beautiful font and with a heraldic colour palette. If medieval knights did graffiti, perhaps this is what it would look like. A hugely accomplished and brilliant piece of writing.

3714. M32 roundabout J3 (322)

An outstanding calligrapher who is possibly a little underrepresented in Natural Adventures is Stivs. This beautiful piece of calligraphic writing from not too long ago so perfectly demonstrates his extraordinary ability to paint such beautifully formed letters.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2021
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2021

The whole shape and size of this piece is really most aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eye. The writing which spells STIVS is elaborate and complex, but in the hands of the artist is expertly executed. Note to self – time for a Stivs gallery?

3655. Brunel Way (99)

Stivs continues to turn out some of the best calligraphy writing in Bristol and this is an absolute beauty under Brunel Way. The photographs simply don’t do this piece justice… in the context of the slightly gloomy spot, the bright blue and purple letters illuminated the space and demanded to be looked at. A real humdinger.

Stivs, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021
Stivs, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021

I am not even going to attempt to tell you what the letters spell out, although I was thinking of having a go, I can tell you however that it is not his customary STIVS. I think the really clever touch lies with the thin bright blue outline on the black background that gives the whole thing a little lift. A nice piece.

3501. M32 roundabout J3 (283)

There are two excellent calligraphy writers in Bristol who stand out and who throw paint at walls on a fairly regular basis. One of them is Todoaciem and the other Stivs – this is a fine piece from the latter.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021

I like the way that Stivs has slotted this piece of writing into a rather slim piece of wall, where the embankment rises up to the main roundabout road. The writing that spells out STIVS y nicely constructed, and as well as the regular and disciplined lines, he has also incorporated some embellishment and drips which always adds kudos to a piece. Nicely sited, beautifully painted, great work from Stivs.

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.

3362. M32 roundabout J3 (267)

There has been a renaissance of sorts in Bristol over the last couple of years or so with the arrival of a merry band of Spanish artists, several of whom are outstanding graffiti writers. Front and centre of this throng is Todoaciem whose near-perfect writing form is a joy to behold.

Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020

This piece on the M32 roundabout is typical of his structured ornate calligraphy style which spells out CIEM1, although it takes a trained eye to work this out – I am still learning. The colour selection works well and this combination of shades of pink and blue are often used by street artists because they make a piece stand out. Great graffiti writing.