4786. Cumberland Basin

Hika and Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Hika and Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

This is an unexpected collaboration between Hika and Pekoe… unexpected because I don’t really know much about Hika, although I do know all about RBF’s Pekoe. The two have combined nicely and there is much to like about the collaboration.

Hika and Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Hika and Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Hika’s letters might appear, on first inspection, to be a bit messy, but take a closer look and they are nice and clean with decent fills and a black 3D drop shadow. Some of the embellishments include red squiggles, and some rather nice yellow drips.

Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Pekoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Regulars will know how much I admire Pekoe’s work, and this is a lovely portrait piece from her. Perhaps the most unusual thing about this one is the hairstyle. Pekoe’s portraits usually host big hair full of stars and shapes, but this one has a stylish short cut that works really well on the limited height of this space. Beautiful big eyes and a customary tear – great work from Pekoe. All in all, a really nice collaboration from this pair.

4784. Cumberland Basin

Kernow 0016 4-13 Oct 2022_edited
Kernow 0016 4-13 Oct 2022_edited

definitely appears to be enjoying his writing at the moment, and has produced several fine pieces of writing, including this recent one painted during a paint jam a couple of weeks ago.

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

The letters KOSC, take a familiar form with an industrial appearance and painted rivets. The shading and central lines in the letters create a 3D effect lifting the letters out of the blue flash background. Graffiti writing that is very easy on the eye.

4776. Cumberland Basin

Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

This is Sled One’s contribution to a recent paint jam along the long wall at Cumberland Basin. It is yet another outstanding example of his incredible artwork and creativity.

Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

The beautifully painted, mischievous squirrel looks to be lining up a shot with his acorn and catapult. The acorns in the background splash are a nice touch, to round off the piece nicely. It is these subtle touches that often serve to lift a piece from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.

4773. Cumberland Basin

Sepr, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sepr, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Character pieces don’t come much better than this remarkable dog, wrapped up in its lead. Sepr is the greatest. What makes this truly outstanding, figuratively and literally is the application of the shadow of the character. It is so sharp and crisp, and completely accurate, mirroring all aspects and details of the dog.

Sepr, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sepr, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

This would have to go down as one of my favourite pieces of the year, and that is saying something as it has been something of a special year. It may be small and ‘simple’ but it is technically and visually a masterpiece. Bravo Sepr!

4767. Cumberland Basin

Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

What an absolute beauty from Mote. Tucked away in a little corner of Cumberland Basin is this magnificent example of one of Mote’s monsters, and quite possibly one of his best to date.

Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

I really like Mote’s attention to detail and clean work. All of his fills are always solid and his fine lines clean. These monsters are on the opposite end of the spectrum to throw ups. Mote spends time on painting his characters with real diligence and accuracy. It is worth noting that some of the decorative dots around the bottom of the background incorporate the previous piece that Mote painted over. The finished pieces are imaginative and always bring a smile to my face. I love this piece.

4765. Cumberland Basin

Smak, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Smak, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

It is always special to see pieces by Smak. He is an artist pretty much at the top of his game and completely in command of his outstanding work. You know that you are looking at something really classy from the effortless way is comes across from the wall to your eyes.

Smak, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Smak, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Smak is rather keen on these colours, but actually looking back on the extensive gallery of his work, he actually pretty much uses every colour under the sun. Beautiful letters, beautifully painted, oozing class.

4759. Cumberland Basin

Saor, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Saor, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

I go away for a few days and whaddayaknow, a whole bunch of walls have been refreshed, including the long wall at Cumberland Basin. There are several beauties that have gone up there, and this fine piece by Saor is right up there.

Saor, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Saor, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

The thing I most like about Saor’s work is that every piece he paints is immaculately turned out. The lines are sharp, the fills solid and the designs imaginative. As his work develops, there are definitely some similarities with the Bristol writer Epok, whose letter designs contain combinations of curves and geometry in harmonious balance. This is a lovely piece from Saor.

4703. Cumberland Basin

Evey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Evey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

It is quite by accident, but wholly appropriate, that I should follow up a piece by Bnie with a piece by Evey. The two artists are part of the RBF crew and often paint alongside one another.

Evey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Evey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

I consider this to be Evey’s best piece that I have seen so far. The green palette set on the red background works exceptionally well and makes it difficult not to notice the piece. Large bold letters, filled with a clever array of greens and a thick black 3D border combine well. There are some nice sharp lines, in particular at the base of the first ‘E’ and the white highlight is subtle, but helps to lift the letters. Upwards and onwards… it is great to watch on at the improvement as it happens.

4698. Cumberland Basin

Vozie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Vozie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

This is the first piece I have posted by Vozie, an artist from Cardiff, and inspiration to many female artists in the area. Up until this year I hadn’t really been aware of her work, but since Upfest, I have noticed a few of her pieces about the place.

Vozie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Vozie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

Vozie is an extremely good writer, as this piece demonstrates and has all the features you might expect to see from a talented and experienced writer. The whole piece is really tight, with stunningly crisp lines and borders, but it is the design, colour selection and faded fills that ooze class in this piece. I am so pleased to introduce Vozie to the pages of Natural Adventures with an absolute belter.

4688. Cumberland Basin

Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

This piece from Laic217 was painted while I was away on my family summer holiday, but I was more than aware of its existence due to the fact that it was all over the Bristol Instagram feeds that I follow. Of course, on my return home, I made a beeline for the spot in Cumberland Basin.

Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022

There is something rather striking about the portrait piece, and I have a feeling the background pattern has a lot to do with it. The portrait itself is a classic piece of Laic217 art, disturbing and menacing, with the figure clan in a full mask and goggles. It has a dystopian future feel about it.