One thing you can be pretty sure of is that when Stivs creates a piece, it is never sloppy or rushed, the calligraffiti style lends itself to accuracy and precision, and anything that deviates from that simply wouldn’t work. This is a lovely recent piece on the M32 roundabout.
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2022
The colours are reminiscent of those used in fun fair art, and the style too. The letters are beautiful, spelling out STIVS, and the colours wonderfully matched, but it is the fills and decorations that steal the show on this one. A truly magnificent piece from Stivs
Here we have yet another spectacular carnival portrait piece from Rozalita in the smaller tunnel just beyond St Werburghs tunnel on Boiling Wells Lane. The character has a stunning and intricate ruff around his neck which looks amazing.
Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022
It was Rozalita herself who told me the whereabouts of this one when I met her a couple of weeks ago, and it was one of two that she painted on that day. One of the features I really like about the portrait piece is the leaves and vines decorating the clown’s blue face.
Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022
There is so much of interest in the piece from the ruff to the face to the hair. Even the background is rather special. Rozalita is on fire and I am a big fan of her work. More to come soon.
One of the most enjoyable thing about chronicling street art and graffiti is that every day has the potential to bring with it surprises. Those surprises are like gifts, presents from the artists to anyone who cares to enjoy their work. This lovely collaboration from Ros(z)alita and 3F fino was part of a larger collaboration that included Tao.create, but I am reserving her piece for a later date.
Rosalita and 3F fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
This is as special as it is unexpected, and although these two have collaborated before, I think that this is so nicely done and combines their styles and preferred subject matter really well.
Rosalita, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
On the left is another carnival face from Rosalita (who now spells it Rozalita, hence the discrepancy in the body of this text), where the makeup this time is much more in the style of a Venetian masquerade mask. The frilled collar adds to the clown element of the piece. Beautiful.
3F fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
To the right, a slightly more edgy character by 3F fino is apparently spraying the clown. I often wonder with pieces like this whether they are self-portraits, or at least based on self. There are some nice elements to this cartoon-style character and his cans, and the clothes and face mask all add to the ensemble.
All in all a nice, large and vibrant collaboration from these two.
While the quality of this extraordinary portrait piece by Rosalita (who has changed her Instagram from Rosalita to Rozalita) is unquestionable, the woman’s face disturbs me a little. The exaggerated features have a clown-like quality, and clowns are scary at the best of times.
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021
Rosalita has associations with a travelling lifestyle and the circus or performance arts seems to have a profound impact on her paintings, most of which encompass a carnival theme. There are so many good things about the artwork in this piece, but it is the impact it has on me as a viewer that I value the most. I find it completely compelling.
Rosalita has really taken the bull by the horns with this piece. Painted at the end of the tunnel after the St Werburghs tunnel on brickwork that previously had only been tagged, or painted by TOYs. With this piece not only has she created a fine piece of art, but she has legitimised this wall as a serious opportunity for other street/graffiti artists.
Rosalita, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, June 2021
The carnival/show theme is a thread that runs through Rosalita’s work and is evident once again here with the face of a clown or jester. Many if not most of Rosalita’s characters are tinged with sadness or tragedy… there is something about the look, the hiding behind makeup. What is amazing about this piece, is not simply the portrait, but the fabulous decoration work around it. Another jewel from Rosalita.
A really unusual, and if I might say slightly scary, portrait piece from Rosalita Raw on the side wall of the Star and Garter in St Paul’s. Why is it that carnival imagery, which is supposed to be bright, happy and entertaining so easily drifts into the dark and edgy?
Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita has had an exceptional six months or so, and I am loving every second of this upsurge in activity from her. This piece is really nicely worked, and shares some similarities with Pekoe’s style although a little bit more detailed in the facial features. Who is she winking at? Is it a knowing wink or an affectionate wink? Unusual and compelling.
Rosalita is an artist who seems to have burst into life since November last year, and although I had seen a few of her pieces before then, she has jumped into another league of productivity. This is a great thing to see, because her work is exciting, imaginative, vibrant and thoughtful and adds another dimension to the Bristol street art scene.
Rosalita, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2021
This quick piece on the hoardings of Lower Ashley Road didn’t last long, so I am really pleased I made the effort to photograph it. Rosalita has painted an acrobatic figure, perhaps a carnival entertainer (she does like her carnivals), in a striped red and white costume (the best colours). There is a whole ton of movement in the piece and the body form is perfectly proportioned. I still have a couple more pieces from Rosalita to post and am hoping that this purple patch continues.
Rosalita has been smashing it out of the park lately and this new column piece under the M32 is just the latest in a string of fine works she has created in the area. From what I have seen, Rosalita is particularly fond of painting carnival faces which she does on walls but also with the application of makeup on people, which she has a talent for.
Rosalita, M32 Spot, Bristol, December 2020
Rosalita (who often signs her pieces RAW, has nothing to do with the Bristol-based crew Read and Weep, and that the use of the same initials is entirely coincidental) has used the column space perfectly and flooded it with colour and drama. The piece is a little unsettling, with the orange eyes dripping onto the cheeks. Great to see more from Rosalita. Keep it up!
Ah what joy, a fabulous new piece from Hazard in the middle of St Paul’s. I understand the piece has been painted in lieu of the St Paul’s carnival, which of course won’t be happening this year.
Hazard, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2020
Hazard has painted a stylish and colourful face with an incredibly ornate headdress loaded up with feathers and flowers. It is a really stunning piece and sits right up there with some of her very best work.
Hazard, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2020
I sometimes have to pinch myself when I see her work here in her home town, we are truly blessed and privileged to see her pieces around us and in our manor. I suspect that unlike much of her work, this one will be around for a long while. An outstanding beauty from Hazard.
Natural adventures 