6532. Dean Lane skate park (779)

Stivs, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Stivs, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

This post is written in haste. By the time I publish it, I will be in the Derbyshire countryside looking at a beaver release scheme. The reintroduction of beavers in the right places is a huge asset for local communities. The dams create wetlands, slowing the effects of flooding downstream, and during droughts the water retention where beavers live create oases where all around has dried up and withered, and for the nature lovers, who doesn’t love having beavers back in the English countryside?

Stivs, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Stivs, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

This outstanding piece, by Stivs, is another of his epic character pieces. I don’t know who the character is, and a Google search has thrown up nothing. The character is painted in beautiful colours and has come together perfectly, with some sideways on perspective too. Alongside the robot (is it a robot?) are the words ‘Kill all humans’ which isn’t very friendly. The piece has survived pretty well, on a wall with a high turnover, and was still there when I last checked a couple of days ago. Great work from Stivs.

6527. Dean Lane skate park (778)

Nice One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Nice One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

This is a fabulous Halloween combination piece from Nice One, and one of a series of outstanding artworks from this most modest of artists. I think that the font he uses contrasts so well with all around it, creating a fresh look in amongst all the styles and fonts we get used to.

Nice One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Nice One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

The portrait of the Joker is brilliantly reproduced and suitably menacing, perfect for Halloween. I love the way that Nice One has only hinted at his letters, with most of them obscured or falling outside the frame. There is simply so much to enjoy from Nice One’s work at the moment… long may it last.

6526. River Avon (67)

Kid Krishna, River Avon, Bristol, November 2024
Kid Krishna, River Avon, Bristol, November 2024

Completely unplanned I appear to have posted two chrome pieces in a row, from two artists that are known for the colourful work, Nips yesterday and Kid Krishna today. I’m not sure I have seen an entirely chrome and black piece from Kid Krishna before, but I like what I see, and it appears to have worked really well.

Kid Krishna, River Avon, Bristol, November 2024
Kid Krishna, River Avon, Bristol, November 2024

The letters, as always spell out CRIE, and having spoken to Kid Krishna recently, we will soon know why he uses these letters. In the middle of this combination piece is a crazy cartoon character bursting out and looking rather sketch-like. A fun two-tone piece.

6523. Greenbank (140)

Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

With this character piece, Omie is demonstrating his versatility. We would normally associate his work with graffiti writing that isn’t tied down to any particular pattern or style, but here he has painted something altogether different, a robot.

Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

I think that the character is the Iron Giant from the animated film released in 1999, and a popular subject in street art and youth culture. In this nicely crafted and tender piece, the giant is holding a spray can, ready to do some decorating. A fine departure from Omie.

6514. Brunel Way (300)

Scrapyardspec, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024
Scrapyardspec, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024

Technically speaking, this wall, the remains of a derelict utility building, is not beneath Brunel Way, but it is as near as damn it, and it can be observed from the road looking upstream towards the south bank of the river. I am rather fond of this little spot, and there have been some wonderful small pieces painted here over the years.

Scrapyardspec, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024
Scrapyardspec, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024

Scrapyardspec seems to be visiting Bristol rather a lot these days, and I am beginning to wonder is he is a little bit more local than I had originally thought, perhaps living somewhere between Bristol and the South East. The wall lends itself very well to Scrapyardspec’s quirky characters, and this one is another in a series painted in Bristol recently. The wobbly portrait with psychedelic eyes and green tongue is quite distinct and unique, and becoming something of a regular presence in the city.

6510. M32 roundabout J3 (636)

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

It is easy to become complacent, living in Bristol, when it comes to street and graffiti, and to take it for granted that we have something rather special, that most cities in the country or the world, simply don’t have. The graffiti sub-culture is thriving and grows both local talent and attracts artists form far and wide to get out there and paint walls. Artists like Smak, who are at the top of their game, are not a rarity, but common, such is the strength and depth of the field of artists.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

This is a beautiful combination piece of outstanding writing accompanied by a comedy cartoon skull wearing a graffiti crown. The letters, which are easy to pick out, are beautifully proportioned and designed, and painted in prime colours, which you don’t see all that often. A wonderful piece from a gifted artist.

6504. St Werburghs tunnel (456)

Ayup, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
Ayup, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024

I was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time when Ayup was about midway through painting this piece. I believe he was visiting from Bournemouth (I think that is what he said) although he is originally from Derbyshire, hence the name AYUP. He usually writes highly designed letters, completely different from this piece, and his Instagram feed is well worth a look.

Ayup, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
Ayup, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024

There is a lot of humour in this cartoon character piece, which is beautifully finished, with strong fills and clean lines. The gold tooth was a point of interest for a young child and his mother when I passed through the tunnel a few days later. The boy was mesmerised by the tooth and kept asking his mum why it was gold/yellow. I would love to see Ayup return to Bristol, and perhaps drop one of his letter pieces on the curved wall i Dean Lane – that would be spectacular.

6498. Dean Lane skate park (773)

Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

What a wonderful surprise to find this modest piece behind the swimming pool railings in Dean Lane skate park. Blink and you might miss it. Bean has been absent from Bristol for a long period, away at university studying hard I expect.

Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Bean, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024

This character piece is really interesting, because it looks like modern take on an old school archetype. Bean has synthesised this very well and he has an ease and competence about his work. I expect this was a quick one, and I didn’t see any others around the time this was painted. I am very much hoping to see more from him after he graduates.

Wispa

A gallery of outstanding graffiti writing and character combination pieces by Wispa.

Instagram: @willow_the_wispa

All photographs by Scooj

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2025
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2025
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025
Wispa, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2024
Wispa, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2024
Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2024
Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2024

 

Wispa, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023
Wispa, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023

 

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, February 2024
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, February 2024

 

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, February 2024
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, February 2024

 

Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

 

Wispa, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2023
Wispa, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2023

 

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023

 

Bnie and Wispa, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023
Bnie and Wispa, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023

 

Wispa, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Wispa, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023

 

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023

 

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023

 

Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023
Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023

 

Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2023
Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2023

 

Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023
Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023

 

Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023
Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023

 

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022

 

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022

6495. M32 roundabout J3 (634)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

I really goofed when I photographed this extraordinary character piece by Stivs, because it was accompanied by some writing on either side, but t the time I didn’t recognise the writing. It turns out that it was all one piece with Oust providing the writing, which I haven’t included here, because the character piece stands up in its own right.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

There is no doubt about it, Stivs is an extremely talented artist and is equally comfortable painting portrait and character work as he is with graffiti writing. This Samurai character is superbly presented, with great use of contrasting colours to provide light and shade and therefore depth. You can deconstruct the piece by looking at the blocks of solid colour, which when you stitch it altogether has an incredible effect. Very nice piece from Stivs.