7129. M32 roundabout J3 (702)

Lis and Elsa Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
Lis and Elsa Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025

This wonderful piece is far and away the largest mural I have seen from Lis (Le Imposter Design) to date, and I was really lucky to find and photograph it, as it only lasted a day or two. Watching Lis develop and grow in confidence over the last year or so has been one of the great joys of doing what I do, and this piece brings together a whole bunch of ideas into a natural ensemble.

Lis and Elsa Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
Lis and Elsa Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025

Let’s start with the writing – I think this is the first time I have seen Lis write anything, and it really isn’t a bad effort, and the letters and fills are commensurate with the mood of the whole piece (UPDATE: Lis tells me that the writing and the Octopus are by her friend and collaborator Elsa Bee). The pond scene with the dragonflies and bulrushes is unusual and uplifting, and although the octopus is a bit incongruous, he seems to be having a great time (which knowing it is by another artist now makes complete sense). A natural salsa. Lis is developing a lovely style all of her own, and I hope very much to meet her one day to tell her how good I think her work is.

Sitter

Common Darter - Sympetrum striolatum, Redland, Bristol, August 2024
Common Darter – Sympetrum striolatum, Redland, Bristol, August 2024

.

Obliging sitter

sunbathing, oblivious

to my approaches

.

by Scooj

Common darter II

Common darter, Bristol, August 2023
Common darter, Bristol, August 2023

.

Bathing in the sun

an afternoon-stretched shadow

dragonfly pauses

.

by Scooj

Reflection

Dragonfly, Krka National Park, Croatia, August 2022
Dragonfly, Krka National Park, Croatia, August 2022

.

Back to the hard grind

my mind drifts to holidays

and a dragonfly

.

by Scooj

Krka NP

.

Calm clear waterways

fish gather in shady pools

dragonflies dancing

.

by Scooj

* we had been advised to visit a national park while in the Zadar region, so we did, and despite the huge crowds of tourists and ferocious heat, it was a magnificent experience.

Common darter

.

Cool September day

two darters dance in sunlight

then settle so still

.

by Scooj

Drying day

 

Unbothered by my

hanging, dragonfly alights

on the whiligig.

 

by Scooj

Dragonfly

Relic from Earth’s youth

bathing in afternoon sun.

Fleeting adulthood.

 

by Scooj