Tag: Face

4219. Windmill Hill (3)

I got distracted by and then sucked into my archives recently, and when that happens I invariably find photographs of pieces that really ought to have been posted, but for some unfathomable reason never did. This wonderful ‘extra’ piece was painted by My Dog Sighs in 2019 when he was painting a collaboration with Curtis Hilton on Windmill Hill.

My Dog Sighs, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

The ephemeral faces on the wall are unmistakably the work of My Dog Sighs, and really demonstrate the depth of talent the artist has, from subtle pieces like this to high-end bold pieces adorning the entire sides of buildings. Finding little hidden gems like this one is always a joy for people like me.

My Dog Sighs, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

4217. M32 roundabout (381)

I have a feeling that (at the time of writing this post) three of the entrances to the tunnels under the M32 roundabout feature pieces by Slakarts. I haven’t checked the fourth for a little while and maybe he has gone for the full set, I don’t know. This one is on the St Werburghs side and is rather a charming little piece.

Slakarts,M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2022
Slakarts,M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2022

It is a privilege to have watched Slakarts evolve and develop his trademark character  over the last few years into a much more sophisticated base element which he has been experimenting with. This piece is the new basic model, but it is so much stronger than it was, say a year ago. The thick neat black lines remain, but the features have improved. I am really enjoying the new directions and improvements Slakarts is adding to his work.

4211. M32 Spot (131)

The arrival in Bristol of Veee has been most welcome. By arrival I guess I mean that he is visiting the city more frequently and leaving his distinctive mega tags in various spots, including this one at the M32 Spot. He has become something of an honorary resident.

Veee, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2022
Veee, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2022

There is a certain charm about his ‘face’ pieces that in their simplicity convey so much more than first meets the eye, and the bold and contrasting colours he has chosen for this one work really well, on an elevation that few people will ever see. Seeing Veee’s pieces over the last few months has certainly brought a smile to my face.

4193. M32 roundabout J3 (380)

Alas! This piece from Face 1st didn’t last very long, and certainly not as long as it deserved, but that is street art, and everyone knows it. Face 1st continues to be one of our most productive artists in Bristol, and I probably need to update his gallery, because it quickly gets out of date.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2022
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2022

The piece tucked away to the left of the river side wall of the roundabout is a full blown writing and face combination. The striking colours attract the eye and the girl’s laughing demeanour is compelling. Face 1st has been using this form of block writing quite a lot recently, and I would say he is enjoying it. I love the clever touch of weaving the girl’s hair through the block letters. A wonderful piece from Face 1st.

4183. Dean Lane skate park (453)

There were so many original and interesting pieces that appeared during a Bristol Womxn Mural Collective Dean Lane paint jam back in November that I simply have to keep returning to my archive to dig them out to share.

Moonface, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Moonface, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

This Beauty was painted by Hana Moonface whose stunning illustrations can be viewed on her Instagram feed. The gold and black colours work well and there is a serenity in the face that is calming. Definitely an unusual piece to find in a spot more used to tags and throwups. Looking forward to seeing the collective at work again soon, perhaps in the spring.

4177. M32 roundabout J3 (377)

There is no stopping Face 1st, and indeed there has been no stopping him for several years now, he is a machine. Whether he is painting with his PWA crew or solo, he brings a sense of fun, mischief and happiness through his work.

Face 1st, M32 roundbout, Bristol, January 2022
Face 1st, M32 roundbout, Bristol, January 2022

This is a lovely portrait piece, on the M32 roundabout, of one of his laughing girls with flowers in her hair. The splatted mouth and background are ideas that Face 1st has been using a lot lately, and are becoming identifiers for his work (as if they aren’t recognisable enough). This one is a real beauty.

4154. M32 roundabout J3 (374)

In the last few months, Slakarts has had a bit of a renaissance and what fun it has been. His familiar portrait pieces have been given more body and depth and are all the better for it.

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2021
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2021

This is a perfect example of his newer work, where the character is lifted off the wall rather than being flat. Depth is an important development in street art work, and Slakarts is achieving it in bucket loads at the moment. An all round lovely piece.

4151. Brunel Way (137)

An artist whose work I really rate, but never seem to have many photographs of is Conrico, or Conrico Steez as he signs himself. I think that part of this discrepancy is that he paints many of his pieces in places that I don’t tend to go all that often. Anyhow I managed to snap this rather fun column piece under Brunel Way recently.

Conrico, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2021
Conrico, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2021

If I am honest, circular column pieces are a pain in the backside because of the difficulty in capturing the whole thing in one shot. I often think that it would be good if phones could do panoramas the opposite way round… if that makes sense, then columns would be a piece of cake. The character face has that Conrico life about it, derived from the style he uses which is like drawing with spray paint. Good to see.

4085. Dean Lane skate park (440)

Until earlier this year, I had never come across Veee. His art just wasn’t a thing in Bristol, not that you’d know it now, it seems that there are dozens of his little pieces dotted all around the city, and this is one of the more recent ones from Dean Lane.

Veee, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Veee, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

This small flat wall is the perfect size for Veee’s work and his ‘face’, made up of symbols, fits the space really well. Bright and colourful, Veee’s work is definitely becoming part of the furniture, and I think that he must have moved to Bristol for there to be so much of it. Watch this space for more from this artist.

4082. Brunel Way (134)

The Maybe (or MaybePaints) factory continues to churn out more high quality and charming face pieces under Brunel Way. Maybe has definitely carved out a niche for himself in Bristol’s street art scene and is becoming established for what he does, and all of this in under a year.

Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021

Due to his prolific painting I have to group his pieces. If I didn’t ether wouldn’t be enough room on Natural Adventures for anyone else. This first column piece combines ideas that the artist has had, with a series of three interlocking faces, the central orange one being sandwiched by two planetary space scenes.

Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021

Another theme running through Maybe’s work is aggregating profile faces into geometric shapes, and in this piece he has three kissing pairs on three sides of a cube, which is very nicely done, adding perspective to his work.

Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021

The third piece in this group is probably my favourite and is a little less structured. It is more of a story-telling piece with one of his face characters communicating or taking a selfie on his cell phone across an oceanic sunset. Beautiful and tranquil, it should perhaps be entitled ‘face time’. All great stuff from an artist I have yet to meet.