Tag: East Street

3967. Upfest 2021 75×75 (67)

What a genuine pleasure it was to meet Roo for the first time while she was painting this magnificent shopfront piece for Upfest’s 75 walls in 75 days event. It would seem that her allocated spot, a pet shop on East Street, was the perfect match for her animal inspired work.

Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

Roo was able to show off her skills over the entire outside space of the pet shop, which is not inconsiderable, and so we, the viewers, are getting four animal pieces for the price of one, starting with this superb mouse/rat tucking into a fairy cake.

Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

On the largest panel of the shop, Roo has painted this sleeping dog which is dreaming about ‘Rrupfest’. In this piece you can see that the clean lines and solid fills are expertly finished and the light brown shading (in cartoon style) gives an additional 3D feel.

Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

On the next panel of the shop is a goldfish in a bowl taking a selfie as if it were a holidaymaker on a beach. The piece is full of wit and charm and rather unfortunately obscured by a wheely bin, the scourge of street photography.

Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Roo, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

The final bit of wall to be painted by Roo is a fat cat enjoying some popcorn and taking in a 3D movie with its cardboard lenses.  The whole wall is a triumph for Roo whose work is a perfect fit for this kind of spot. It is great to see that since she painted this, Roo has visited Bristol again and left us a gorgeous lion, to follow soon.

3931. East Street

Finding pieces like this one adds to the genuine fun of hunting out street art. I was on a bit of a wander in Bedminster and I took a look up a little alleyway I hadn’t noticed before, and my reward was this new graffiti piece by Pura Decadencia. I am guessing it is new, because the artist posted it on her Instagram account a day or two later.

Pura Decadencia, East Street, Bristol, September 2021
Pura Decadencia, East Street, Bristol, September 2021

Pura Decadencia has been quite quiet lately, but that might be simply because she doesn’t paint walls all that often, which makes finding this one all the more satisfying. This is graffiti art at its very best – unexpected and sprayed directly onto an unprepared wall. The piece features a mouth with vampire teeth and long tongue, a theme that she returns to again and again. I love this raw piece.

3822. Upfest 2021 75×75 (20)

I am well acquainted with the work of Cheba whose intergalactic spacescapes have become something of a speciality for him and which adorn several buildings around Bristol. However, in this piece for Upfest’s 75×75 event, Cheba has gone all Day-Glo on us, and it certainly has made an impact.

Cheba, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Cheba, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

I must confess to not being a big fan of Day-Glo colour schemes, because they remind me of some of the dodgier aspects of 1980s design and fashion that are probably best left behind. Having said that, I do think that this is an energetic and interesting mural and has already become something of a landmark in the area. Great to see a new piece from Cheba, who has been fairly quiet over the last year or so.

1708. Upfest 2018 (33)

This is a magnificent new wall for Upfest 2018, just off East Street and pretty much perfect for large ‘permanent’ pieces by some well known artists. First up is this magnificent portrait by Koeone.

Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I am not sure I have come across the artist before, which is a bit of a surprise because he lives and works in North Devon, not a million miles from Bristol. This is typical of his work which features greyscale photorealistic portraits of women with pink and blue lettering and icons on the top of the head.

Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The final product is really classy and all the better coming from a self-taught artist. Koeone shares this wall with Nol, Hull Graffiti, and Voyder amongst others. Real high quality stuff. Definitely worth a visit.

Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Koeone, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Nice drips!

 

 

 

1501. East Street alley

Usually I curse bright sunlight and shadows when I am photographing street art, but on this occasion I think it adds to the picture. To me it feels like this blue bunny by NEVERGIVEUP is lurking or hiding in the doorway trying not to be found.

NEVERGIVEUP, East Street, Bristol, April 2018
NEVERGIVEUP, East Street, Bristol, April 2018

I would never have found this rather charming rabbit if I hadn’t run into NEVERGIVEUP when he was in Dean Lane skate park, prepping a wall, and struck up a conversation. He told me where this piece was in the context of a conversation during which I remarked on the fact that I liked the way he seems to spray absolutely everywhere in Bristol that he can find a wall, most other artists tend to stick to their favourite places. Bristol is becoming a bit of a warren to NEVERGIVEUP’s bunnies, which is a good thing.

1006. East Street

Situated on top of the Besley Hill estate agent’s premises and commanding a grand view from East Street over to the Steam Crane is this colourful and detailed piece by Loch Ness. Having seen Loch Ness at work on more than one occasion, I know that he takes his time and really concentrates hard on every detail of his work.

Loch Ness, East Street, Bristol, March 2017
Loch Ness, East Street, Bristol, March 2017

This particular piece features a whole bunch of monsters perched on top of a row of houses enjoying themselves playing and fishing. There is a nice little touch on the right hand side, where you can see two hot air balloons, something for which Bristol is famous – indeed Cameron balloons is directly behind this shop.

Loch Ness, East Street, Bristol, March 2017
Loch Ness, East Street, Bristol, March 2017

Loch Ness fills his pieces with colour and energy and there is always a lot going on. This is a fine and entertaining piece which brightens up this end of the high street.