4557. Porto (9)

Another prolific artist in Porto is Costah. What is really enjoyable about Costah’s art is that he has embraced the whole edgy culture of street art and seems to combine legal with non-legal walls and is equally at home with paste ups as he is with spray paints.

Costah, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Costah, Porto, Portugal, June 2022

This cat, painted on a derelict building on a steep hill just north of the river is a really classy piece. Just by looking at it, you can see straight away that it is painted by someone who knows and understands street art. The stylised cartoon cat is a real charmer and seems to fit in so well with the sun-baked wall it is painted on. More too from Costah to come.

4529. St Werburghs tunnel (298)

It feels like an age since I last saw a collaborative piece by Daz Cat and CDTC, probably because it has been an age. Neither artist has been out and about much this year, certainly nowhere near as much as during the lock down periods.

CDTC and Daz Cat, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2022
CDTC and Daz Cat, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2022

This is rather a nice piece, working to both artist’s strengths. To the left is an exploding head with a comic book orange ‘KAPOW’ burst across the character’s eyes by CDTC, painted with nice clean lines and interesting feature shading in the face. To the right, a rather sullen-looking cat wearing a fetching blue hoodie looks to be prepping a wall with a long roller. Again, care and attention have gone into this piece which is very nicely finished. This was a pleasant surprise to stumble across in the tunnel.

4477. Dean Lane skate park (496)

I went in search of a Mudra piece and instead found this cat painted over the top of it, and my disappointment and pleasure were present in equal measure. It would have been nice to see the Mudra piece in all its glory, but it is a jungle out there. It would also be nice to have some clue about the artist who painted the cat… answers on a postcard.

Unknown, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2022
Unknown, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2022

I rarely post pieces from unknown artists, but I couldn’t resist this one. The artist has captured the cat’s expression really well, and the use of colours and overlapping lines works really well. This looks like a practice piece by an artist who knows what they are doing. A great find.

Ghost

.

You are everywhere

silently your black shadow

slinks from room to room

.

by Scooj

Ninja, ? – 14 May 2022

.

The glue that bound us

even the dog will miss you

darling, crazy cat

.

by Scooj

Today we buried our wonderful companion. May she rest in peace.

Last days

.

A heartbreaking time

appointment with the vet made

treasure these moments

.

by Scooj

4357. Brunel Way (150)

Although Daz Cat has been a little quiet of late, apart from a smattering of quickie cat faces, when he does have time he creates something magnificent, like this recent cat down by the river under Brunel Way.

Daz Cat, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022
Daz Cat, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022

This piece is a dreamy look forward to the summer and days of warmth, shorts and ice lollies. The cat is one of Daz Cat’s full length versions and tells a story, rather than just a static piece. I’m not too sure what the pink lines on the shorts are, but some idiot has ‘augmented’ the piece, which is a pity. All in all rather wonderful stuff.

4318. Turbo Island

There is no question that this a fabulous piece, and Ryder clearly demonstrates that he is not only a ‘letters’ man, but is equally adept at creating characters.

I have a reservation about this piece though, not of its quality, but because I always struggle with street art being used to advertise commercial products, unless as a commission on a commissioned space. Somehow, it just doesn’t sit right with me and I know I am being super-picky, but the street art and Graffiti art community is one that is usually at the front of the queue to complain about consumerism and advertising. I expect this piece was painted for friends, and is at the acceptable end of the advertising spectrum, so I will get over myself and stop here.

Ryder, Turbo Island, Bristol, March 2022
Ryder, Turbo Island, Bristol, March 2022

This is an eye-catching piece at a spot that seems to lurch from high quality pieces to absolute dross and this certainly sits in the former category. The Cheshire cat with its huge grin is outstanding, and the blue and red colours work so well on the black and white of the piece. Love the roller painter Ryder above the piece. Nice work from one of the best.

4282. Brunel Way (144)

What a wonderful piece to come across a week or so ago. This was one of several new pieces tucked away in the D.I.Y. skate park under Brunel Way, following a paint jam by the Bristol Womxn Mural Collective. These paint jams always throw up some unusual and unique pieces, bringing studio art out onto the streets.

Erviti, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2022
Erviti, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2022

This column cat, by Erviti, is set on a dark blue background and stands out as something rather special. Apart from Daz Cat’s offerings, you don’t see too many street art cats about the place, so this is a real pleasure.

Erviti, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2022
Erviti, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2022

One of the things about studio artists painting murals is that they often use rather more conventional paints and materials, rather than spray paints and so the artwork is often more detailed and stands up to close inspection. Erviti has absolutely nailed this cat portrait, and what a fine contribution to the urban landscape it is.

Sadness

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The cat has cancer

the best we can do for her

is love her a lot

.

by Scooj

* I realise and appreciate there are many terrible things happening in the world right now.

This is our little bit of sadness.