.
Once, when I had hair
tufts would be dealt with swiftly
mother’s lick and stick
.
by Scooj
Tag: Child
4555. Porto (7)
Although there isn’t the same kind of volume of street art in Porto as there is in Bristol, the range and variety of pieces is extensive and imaginative. These two pieces, by Carvalho, are studio paintings that have been framed and stuck to walls, carefully selected in various different places in Porto. I found these two, but I don’t know how many there might be, and there aren’t any references to them on his Instagram account.
The first piece has been placed on an orange-tiled wall, which I think was very carefully selected as it picks out the orange tones in the subject’s skin, and contrasts well with the purple hoodie. The piece itself is a stunning portrait of a young man, in which the proportions are perfect, Colours, tones and shading all combine really well, and as for the placement – this is truly spectacular free street art.
Carvalho’s other piece, that we found, looks like it has been around for a little while longer, as the frame is a little weathered. The canvass itself, though, still appears to be in reasonably good condition. Once again the placement of the piece has been carefully considered, and is on a rather neglected door, contrasting cleverly with the subject of his picture.
The portrait of a young child might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is certainly an arresting image that is worth a second glance. The perspective is unusual for a piece of art, but isn’t this how we see people smaller than ourselves? Once again, the tones and shading in this piece are exceptional. Two great finds of great works by a very talented artist.
Happy valley
.
The carefree laughter
of a child paints the valley
with colours of joy
.
by Scooj
Reminisce
Young child on my knee
fluffy hair tickling my nose
and that sweet skin smell.
by Scooj
It feels like someone else’s lifetime.
1731. Upfest 2018 (42)
I approached Upfest on the Saturday morning from East Street and as I was at that end of Bedminster, dived into Dean Lane skate park because it is always busy with ‘fringe’ festival art, and by that I mean it is not all entirely official. This is one such stencil work by About Ponny, an artist not known to me before…I have immediately become a fan.
About Ponny is a highly skilled stencil artist from Bologna in Italy and I found a short biography on his Facebook page which I have translated from the Italian using Google translate. It reads as follows:
Ponny was born in Bologna one evening after dinner.
Single, but only in the name, because always accompanied; for this reason it has no gender.
Son of a game between friends and of the passion for art, in all its forms, as long as expression and creativity, incessant source of emotion.
In continuous search for balance on the edge of legality, the road torments him, the only place to express himself!
This work, in my mind, is stencil work of the highest calibre. The subject is touching and soulful, the execution brilliant, the colour scheme has an earthy and innocent quality and the location is brilliant. One of the best ‘unofficial’ Upfest 2018 pieces.
1690. Upfest 2018 (30)
A stalwart of Upfest and the Bristol street art scene is the wonderful Georgie (Artist). This year’s piece is a stunning portrait of a child, and something rather different from her smiley face stencil work of last year.
Georgie has an incredible range of styles and techniques that she uses to decorate the city and is a most gifted artist who not only executes her pieces well, but also has a wonderfully creative mind. Her pieces rarely disappoint.
It is a funny thing, but I missed a lot of artists this year. I think it might be because the weather was so ‘stop and start’ that artists tried to get as much done when the sun was out, and then ran for cover or went home when the rain came. Or…maybe they just saw me coming!
Nature boy
Forever outside
discovering worlds under
every upturned stone.
by Scooj
Unfettered
Child oblivious,
zig-zagging and jump-jumping,
happy and carefree.
by Scooj
Childish
Anticipation
of snow, too much to bear; still
the child is in me.
by Scooj
357. Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London
Time for a little bit of a diversion from Upfest 2016…just for a few moments. With my work taking me to London for two days a week now, I am taking advantage of staying over in areas where I get great access to the London street art scene. Shoreditch is obviously the most famous place to go, and so this week I took my first steps out into the streets.
I had no idea where I was going, but it didn’t take too long to come across some really great pieces. This is by one of the the best South American street artists around at the moment – Stinkfish. This piece, outside the Bedroom Bar on Rivington Street is much smaller than his works I am used to in Bristol, but it is no less impressive.
Everything is here…the photo captured image, yellow faces and skin, and designs emanating from and around the heads of the subjects. I was very happy to find this and also to be able to recognise the artist immediately. Rewind 18 months and I would have known nothing, and would possibly have walked past without taking a closer look. I am happy now to be able to enjoy street art and share it with you. A good feeling.
Natural adventures 