6219. Brunel Way (280)

Nips, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2024
Nips, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2024

One of the great joys of being a street art hunter and chronicler is the sheer number of endorphin ‘mini-snacks’ one gets exposed to on each exploratory walk. Some artists elicit slightly more excitement than others, and there doesn’t seem to be any logical explanation for why that might be. One artist whose work I particularly enjoy seeing is Nips, and it feels like there is progression with every new piece.

Nips, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2024
Nips, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2024

I would say that Nips is a bit of a fills specialist, keeping her general letter shapes constant, while experimenting with colours and patterns in the fills and in that respect, she has excelled in this stunner. Her selection of colours and outstanding designs within the letters is utterly joyful. The whole thing looks rather like a sophisticated wallpaper design, and that is meant as a compliment. Nips continues, I am pleased to say, with her trademark face appearing as the dot of the ‘i’. More endorphins please.

Paul Monsters

A gallery of outstanding geometric murals, collaborations and other pieces from Bristol’s brilliant Paul Monsters AKA Paul Roberts.

Instagram: @paulmonsters

Website: paulmonsters.com

all photographs by Scooj

Paul Monsters, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023
Paul Monsters, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023
Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024
Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters and Mister Samo, Old Park Road, Exeter, October 2023
Paul Monsters, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022
Paul Monsters, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022
Paul Monsters and Tom Miller, Queen Street, Bristol, May 2022
Paul Monsters and Tom Miller, Queen Street, Bristol, May 2022
Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Paul Monsters and Ments, Clift House Road, Bristol, January 2022
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Koeone and Paul Monsters, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
The Hass and Paul Monsters, Ashton Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Andy Council, Soker and Paul Monsters, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2021
Andy Council, Soker and Paul Monsters, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2021
Andy Council, Soker and Paul Monsters, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2021
Andy Council, Soker and Paul Monsters, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2021
Paul Monsters, Anchor Road, Bristol, May 2021
Paul Monsters, Anchor Road, Bristol, May 2021
Paul Monsters, Bedminster Parade, Bristol, April 2021
Paul Monsters, Bedminster Parade, Bristol, April 2021
Paul Monsters, Bedminster Parade, Bristol, April 2021
Paul Monsters, Bedminster Parade, Bristol, April 2021
Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020
Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
Paul Monsters, Leonard Lane, Bristol, December 2019
L7M and Paul Monsters, South Street, Bristol, July 2019
L7M and Paul Monsters, South Street, Bristol, July 2019
Paul Monsters and Soker, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2019
Paul Monsters and Soker, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2019
Paul Monsters and Soker, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2019
Paul Monsters and Soker, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2019
Door, North Street, Bristol, Artist: Paul Monsters, February 2019
Door, North Street, Bristol, Artist: Paul Monsters, February 2019
Paul Monsters, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Paul Monsters, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Paul Monsters, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Paul Monsters, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, North Street Green, July 2015
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, North Street Green, July 2015
Paul Monsters, Millpond Street, Bristol, May 2018
Paul Monsters, Millpond Street, Bristol, May 2018
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017
Copyright and Paul Monsters, North Street, Bristol, April 2017

6129. Upfest 2024 (26)

Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024
Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024

I have a feeling that this was one of the first walls to be completed for this year’s Upfest, and there is likely a very good reason for this. Paul Monsters, whose colourful geometric murals are well known in Bristol, also works with Upfest, so I imagine he needed to complete his piece early so that he could help with his festival responsibilities.

Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024
Paul Monsters, Upfest 24, North Street, Bristol, May 2024

The wonderful mural is painted on the side of the Bristol Beer Factory, and Paul Monsters has carefully incorporated the pint glass logo into his design. The use of various tones of colours to create depth in these geometric pieces is a trademark of Paul Monsters’ work and although at first glance his work might look simple and straightforward, it is in fact complex and sophisticated. This post reminds me that it is high time I produced a gallery of his outstanding work.

5881. Picton Lane (18)

Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024

One of the most fulfilling things about wandering around the known street art spots in Bristol is finding pieces that are beyond my expectations. I mean that I can go to spots and either be searching for something specific that I have seen on social media or be pretty sure what kind of artwork I am likely to find and by whom. So when an outlier like this one by Amy Magee comes along, I get extra excited.

Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024

Although Amy Magee comes from Bristol, I am not familiar with her work and I don’t recall seeing anything by her before, and I suspect that she doesn’t often paint walls. This beautiful portrait piece was painted alongside a piece by Kosc, and I am guessing they were painted at the same time, with Kosc sharing one of his favourite spots with Amy Magee.

Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Amy Magee, Picton Lane, Bristol, February 2024

The portrait is stunning and is greatly enhanced by the colourful surrounding wisps of cloud and the atmosphere generated. The beautifully proportioned subject has a wistful expression, and incredible eye makeup. It would appear that colour is very important in Amy Magee’s work, which comes across in this piece. I hope that this adventure into painting a mural on the streets isn’t a one-off, and would encourage her to do it again – perhaps at this year’s Upfest.

5867. St Werburghs tunnel (409)

Kid Krishna, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2024
Kid Krishna, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2024

A little earlier in the year, Kid Krishna announced his return to the streets after a bit of a quiet period. Since January, he has been super-active and smashing it on walls all over the city, so much so that I am having to consider bunching a few of them together into a single post.

Kid Krishna, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2024
Kid Krishna, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2024

One of the things that Kid Krishna brings to his pieces is an incredible sense of colour, sometimes subtle and other times overt, but always carefully matched and incorporated. I have been puzzling over the character, and feel like I should know who it is, more than that, he was on some posters which I spotted in Nottingham, or something very similar. It will remain a mystery. This is a lovely fresh piece from Kid Krishna in the tunnel.

5832. M32 roundabout J3 (52)

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2024
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2024

There was no stopping Hemper during the Covid period, but now things have returned to relative normality, his productivity has fallen back considerably, which makes it extra special when he does get out and paint one of his stunning burners.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2024
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2024

This is a wonderful piece of graffiti writing bursting with colour and energy, spelling out the letters DRAPE, which I am guessing is a shout-out, rather than a tribute. Each letter in this piece has been given a different colour treatment and fill patterns. There is lots to look at and enjoy in this skilfully pulled together writing.

5763. M32 roundabout J3 (548)

Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Ooh! The colours of this wonderful piece by Hypo burst out of the wall and immediately infect the viewer with a sense of optimism and wellbeing (results based on a survey of one!). A sensibly neutral buffed wall add to the sense of energy and excitement generated by this cornucopia of colour.

Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The letters spell out HYPO as you’d probably expect, with a couple of nice graffiti arrows incorporated. I really like the way that Hypo produces something utterly different with each of his pieces, although there is always an underlying style that seems to permeate through. A delightful piece from Hypo.

5672. M32 roundabout J3 (530)

Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

Last week I posted a piece by Hypo that showed something of a development of his style into a more cryptic wildstyle approach. This piece on the other hand is the more familiar graffiti writing we expect to see from Hypo, and what a colour-burst it is too.

Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

The letters are clear to read, and there is a real sense of joy and optimism about the piece. The colours come together as if they were sweets in a jar and the whole thing looks almost edible. I love the design, and the colour fades and decorations, I think though, and I know I am nit-picking, that the black shadow might have been a little tidier. Beautiful work from Hypo.

5641. River Avon (54)

Raid, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023
Raid, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023

I find it hard to believe that I have only posted 54 pieces from the walls that run alongside the River Avon, but that is perhaps a measure of the task I have set myself. I would guess that I photograph between 20 and 40 new pieces every week, but have the capacity to post a maximum of 21, more commonly 14. As you can see, there is a large deficit, which is actually considerably larger than that, because there will be many pieces that I don’t find at all. Notwithstanding this challenge, I shall continue to push that bolder up the hill, because I enjoy it.

Raid, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023
Raid, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023

Raid has been a little quieter than when I first became aware of his work, but is still turning out some lovely pieces from time to time. This piece stands out with its big bold letters and super colour scheme. It is interesting how some colour combinations really stand out, such as orange and green as in this piece, pink and light blue (the colours of the 2023 season) and black and red. Everything about this piece has been done well. Great letter shapes, lovely fills which are interesting but not over-busy and a well worked drop shadow and neat border. All in all, this is a very tidy piece from Raid.

5622. St Werburghs tunnel (391)

Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2023
Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2023

Klashwhensober is a force of nature, and his painting is his ‘rock’ in a turbulent environment. Over the last couple of years his work has been leaning towards quantity rather than quality (painting is what makes him happy), but recently I have noticed that that balance has shifted and he is starting to turn out some outstanding pieces, but fewer of them.

Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2023
Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2023

This is a wonderful and colourful piece at the farm end of the tunnel, spelling out SOBER. The letters each have an individual colour, with quite a lot of blended fills going on. The drop shadow is tidily done and lifts the letters from the wall a little. at the right hand end Klashwhensober has painted a sword, which is cutting into the letters. It looks like Klashwhensober has spent a little bit more time on this piece and has finished it off with care and attention. I like this more focussed approach from Bristol’s most prolific artist.