5915. Sparke Evans Park (90)

Tao Create and Rozalita, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024
Tao Create and Rozalita, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024

There are some pieces that stick in the mind, sometimes for a long while, and sometimes forever. This is one of those. This striking collaboration between Tao Create and Rozalita has embedded in memory, and it will be one of those iconic pieces that I will be able to recall and tell people about for as long as my mind is good.

Tao Create, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024
Tao Create, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024

On the left, Tao Create has painted a gorgeous portrait piece, and in doing so has shown us just how far she has come over the last two or three years. I can only think that she has been to art school, because the transformation is extraordinary. The near-photorealistic portrait is utterly captivating and the contours of the face are perfectly handled with skill using shading in browns and yellows. I cannot express how much I love this portrait, not how surprised I was to see that it was by Tao Create.

Rozalita, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024
Rozalita, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2024

On the right is the third recent piece by Rozalita depicting Frida Kahlo, and it is another cracker, this time in various shades of yellow. There is a strength that comes from the portrait, perhaps reflecting the strength of Kahlo herself. The flower design is, I think, also by Rozalita, who has undergone a renaissance lately. Oh joy. My favourite piece of the year.

5908. Greenbank (113)

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024

You might have sensed my excitement a few posts ago with the return of Rozalita (Rozilitaa), and here she is again with another outstanding portrait piece, in the same venue, and again featuring Frida Cahlo, who has come to represent so much about female art, strength and vulnerability.

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024

This time, the portrait is painted in shades of blue and turquoise, which contrasts brilliantly with the four surrounding orange flowers. There is a lot of passion and emotion in Rozalita’s work which works hard to combine people with the natural world. This is another belter, and there is still more to come soon.

5902. Greenbank (112)

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024

Rozalita returns! This is exceptional news. After a long lay-off, in part down to travelling, during which time I wondered whether she might abandon her street art altogether, she has returned in style, with several pieces in short succession. This is how to announce your return. In another name change (from Rosalita to Rozalita (Rhozi) to Rozilitaa) she has hit the ground running with a bolder presence, and a sense of confidence that hasn’t always been obvious from her work.

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2024

This portrait piece, I believe of Frida Kahlo, is bursting with passion, where the determination and status of the subject, looking skywards, is beautifully presented. The white border accentuates the pose and creates an aura that is augmented by the burst of energy of flowers and decoration in the background. Without the border, the piece could be at risk of being busy, but its presence is masterful. This is brilliant in my view, and what a way to make a comeback. I bloody love this piece!

1907. Upfest 2018 (103)

This is the third of D7606’s 10 celebratory balloons that he pasted up around the Upfest site to celebrate the 10 years that the festival has been running.

D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

In this one, which completely upstages the Tesco poster on which it is pasted, we are presented with an image of Frida Kahlo – a popular figure for street artists.

D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I have more of these balloons, but am not quite sure if I collected all ten of them – we’ll have to wait and see when I get to the end of my Upfest 2018 posts.

1666. Upfest 2018 (17)

One of the great difficulties of writing posts from Upfest is that so many of the artists are new to me and it is difficult to comment on anything other than first impressions and a little bit about the artist. Often, as in this case, the piece is so good that my short ramblings don’t really do it any justice at all.

Akse, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Akse, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Akse started as a graffiti artist back in 1992 in ther suburbs of Paris. He now lives in Manchester and is known for his photorealistic portraits. This incredible portrait of Frida Kahlo is one of the most memorable of this year’s festival and mirrors the great piece from Alexander Tadlock last year. As a subject, Frida Kahlo seems to hold interest for artists and I look forward to many more portraits of her in the future.

Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

995. Upfest 2017 (41)

One of the real gems from Upfest 2017 was this beautiful depiction of Frida Kahlo by the hugely talented artist Alexander Tadlock. Born in California, Tadlock was raised in Mexico which would explain the choice of subject for his Upfest piece.

Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

There is a wonderful short biography of the artist on the ‘Greatest Paka Photography’ Flickr account which provides some background to his education and inspirations.

Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

For me, and many others, this was a truly outstanding piece, for many reasons. Firstly, the artwork is highly accomplished, secondly, the subject of the piece is iconic and captivation and thirdly, the colours are vibrant and draw you to the piece. As I said, outstanding.

Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I came away from Upfest with a few ‘eyeworms’ (is there such a thing?) and this beauty from Tadlock was one of them.