Tag: Colour

4234. Dean Lane skate park (460)

I simply had to dig this piece out of my archive because I was lucky enough to meet the artist, Ceus, earlier this week painting a new wall very close to this one in Dean Lane. I was not alone in struggling to find out who the artist was, but now the riddle, from last October, is solved. It turns out that Ceus is another Spanish street artist. He lives in Bath and doesn’t have much time to paint as he has a very busy life in the restaurant business. A nicer bloke you couldn’t wish to meet.

Ceus, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2021
Ceus, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2021

This piece is a real stunner, and it was such a shame not to be able to post it last year, but good things come to those who wait. Ceus is a really talented artist, as this piece demonstrates, and the burst of colour on a white background works exceptionally well. It is obvious now to see that the letters spell out CEUS… hindsight is a wonderful thing. I like everything about this piece, and it is a nice warm-up for the piece he painted this week, which I have to return to before it gets painted over. A gem.

4044. City Road (11)

Having only recently started to post pieces by Dopes, it was particularly gratifying to find this absolute beauty recently. Sprayed during a recent paint jam celebrating the opening of a relocated eatery, this piece really stood out, and ticks a lot of my boxes.

Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021
Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021

The multi-coloured, beautifully and skilfully patterned fills are truly exceptional, and the white spots and trims provide the depth and 3D look. Dopes’ letter shapes are all very nice too, particularly the elaborate D. This is a belter of a piece of graffiti writing from the RAW man.

3990. M32 roundabout J3 (350)

I haven’t seen a new Elvs piece for quite a while, so I was doubly pleased to not only find this graffiti writing, but also to find Elvs working on it. Of course, I chatted for a little while, conscious that these guys sometimes like to have a bit of peace and quiet. I asked why he hasn’t been painting much recently, and one of the reasons is that he is now the proud owner of a dog, a very big dog. Well you don’t need me to tell you just how much time a dog can occupy.

Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

There is something about this piece that elevates it above many of his others (a high bar indeed) and I think it might be the exquisite colour selection and blending as you move up and down and along the letters. The piece is flawless and beautifully finished, and with a piece like this, the buffed background makes a big difference. Let’s hope the dog lets him get out more!

3701. Anchor Road (4)

The slowness with which I have photographed and posted some pieces this year is an artefact of the lockdown as there are some parts of town that I simply don’t go to any more since I stopped going into the office. Anchor Road is one of those places. This piece by Paul Monsters was painted quite some time ago, but I only photographed it last weekend.

Paul Monsters, Anchor Road, Bristol, May 2021
Paul Monsters, Anchor Road, Bristol, May 2021

This container has had some memorable pieces on it, notably from Andrew Burns Colwill and SPZero76, so it is fitting to have an eye catching geometric design from Paul Monsters here too. Using his customary colour shades and shapes Paul has turned a drab surface into a vibrant living 3D piece of art for the citizens of Bristol to enjoy, and keeps up the fine tradition associated with this otherwise rather ugly storage unit. Excellent work.

Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017

SPZero76, Anchor Road, Bristol, October 2017
SPZero76, Anchor Road, Bristol, October 2017

3578. M32 roundabout J3 (296)

Aah, such deep joy. This is my favourite collaboration of the year so far. For me it simply speaks of spring, of life, of happiness. The colours are strong and vibrant and the execution of the two elements of the collaboration by Billy and Sepr is so natural and so very easy on the eye.

Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021

On the right of the piece is a classic Sepr character holding an old wired telephone handset stating that ‘it’s for you’ and expecting at any moment to hand the phone over. The colours are magical and the green shadow is outrageously bold but somehow works brilliantly.

Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021

To the left is a visual interpretation of what is being heard in the earpiece of the telephone handset. ‘Hello, this is spring, can I help you’ says Billy’s half of the mural both in words and visually. A rural landscape with a lamb and daffodils and a spring rainbow are contained in a speech bubble. This is magnificent and I would challenge even the coldest hearted critic of street art not to find some happiness in this piece.

Billy and Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy and Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021

I’ve not seen these two collaborate before, but if this is anything to go by I sincerely hope it is not the last time.

3529. Moon Street (87)

Moon Street, once one of the most vibrant and active graffiti streets in Bristol has become something of a forgotten backwater since the gentrification tsunami struck the Stokes Croft area about two years ago. Since that time decent pieces are few and far between, but every now and again there is a little gem, like this dazzling piece from Lee Roy.

Lee Roy, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2021
Lee Roy, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2021

Everything about this one screams out ‘look at me.. I’m here and I want to be seen’. As I have said in an earlier post of a piece from Lee Roy, he seems to have gone into overdrive in the last few weeks and is chucking up his unique brand of graffiti writing all over the city. I particularly like this one though. Great for the somber mood we seem to find ourselves in these days.

3512. St Werburghs tunnel (226)

There are some artists whose work is capable of lifting a mood, and for those fleeting moments while I am looking at their work I am transported away from my troubles. Billy is one of those artists. Bright, simple and colourful her work usually carries a message which gives depth and meaning to the artwork.

Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021

This piece ‘what a mess’ was painted alongside Merny’s truck piece, the pair often paint together, and helped to lift this spot into a blaze of brightness. I don’t know if the ‘mess’ relates directly to the subject of the piece or whether it is deeper than that and describing the state of our country. On either level it works.

Morny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021
Morny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021

Sadly this piece along with Merny’s didn’t last too long, and the aggressive tagging that partially covered them over was annoying to say the least. I just don’t get some people.

3447. St Werburghs tunnel (220)

This wall at the Farm end of St Werburghs tunnel has been ripe for a refresh for some time and who better to bring about some colour and joy than Mr Draws? As night follows day, Mr Draws will be out there brightening up our walls with his unique style.

Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2021
Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2021

This one is a simple affair using blues, purples and red laid out as horizontal fills in a DRAW outline. There is a deep 3D black shadow and the whole thing is given added interest with some yellow bars. Bold and shouty – this piece has Mr Draws written all over it, literally.

3383. Martin Street

I can’t think of a better piece to post on Christmas Day than this beautiful mural from  Zoe Power tucked away in Bedminster. Sadly it is yet another prize wall that nearly always has a car parked outside and this is the best view of it I could get.

Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020
Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020

Zoe Power is known for her wonderful and bright colourful work which often has an element of symmetry about it. In this piece two characters are caught in an embrace where they almost fuse and become one, it is wonderful work and although simple on the outside, full of sophistication and class.

Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020
Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020

Whenever I see her work, I am always reminded of the great Matisse, and that is the biggest complement I can pay. Well worth seeking this out.