The first time I saw this figure by Face 1st it had some posters rather unhelpfully draped over her face. On returning some days later, the posters were gone and she was revealed in all her glory.
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
At any one time there must be four or five pieces by Face 1st on this roundabout, and as soon as one is covered over, another one seems to appear. This one belongs to the group of full figure ‘face girls’ that the artist has started doing lately and I have to say I am a big fan. There is always something soft and beautiful in his work, never threatening or aggressive. Another winner.
Busy, busy, busy like a bee, a Tasha Bee, who I fear may have ants in her pants. It seems that Tasha Bee never sits still and is just incredibly productive, spraying her beautiful faces here, there and everywhere. I cannot keep up.
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
This gorgeous one is from a couple of weeks back and has a lovely colour palette…there is something about that soft green face that due to its faintness draws you in to take a closer look. This is Tasha Bee at her best.
This is just brilliant. It is one of three recent column pieces to go up under the M32 painted by Silent Hobo and I love love love it a lot. There is so much soul in the character and she’s looking at you with those large blue eyes. Many of his characters have their eyes looking down or closed, which is what makes this one stand out.
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
These column pieces are always quite difficult to photograph, because of the large contrast in light levels and these pictures in no way do the piece justice. For any die-hard hunters, this one is one that must be seen in the flesh.
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo has a strongly empathetic view on modern youth and is a fantastic champion for all that keeps out city vibrant. Bravo Hobo – I am in love with this girl..
Park street seems to be in a continual state of refurbishment. Businesses appear and disappear with alarming regularity, something that has been particularly noticeable since the banking crisis began. I suspect shop rents are high and returns subject to the prevailing economic conditions. The upshot is that hoardings can be found covering up shopfronts…and these hoardings need decorating.
Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018
Step up Bristol Business Improvement District who commissioned this work by Lemak and another by Inkie and Cheba further up Park Street. This is an exceptional stencil by an exceptional artist and one which he used for his Upfest 2018 piece.
Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018
Take a good look at the multiple layers on the face and helmet of the astronaut – this is an incredible work. It is great to see these boards in a street with so much footfall – better to have great work like this on display than tags. I’ll post his Upfest version soon.
Wow, wow, wow. I am head over heels in love with this stunning work by Muckrock (Jules Muck). Shortly after I photographed this fabulous piece I dived into the Upfest shop and had a chat with Paul Monsters and Steve and Emma who run Upfest. I mentioned this exceptional work in Dean Lane skate park to them and although they didn’t know about this one, they had met her recently and offered her a wall to paint at the other end of North Street. She must have done this one as a bit of an extra while she was visiting.
Muckrock, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
I can honestly say it is my top five pieces for 2018 and has come as a complete surprise which makes it extra special. I believe Jules Muck began her graffiti ‘career’ in England and Europe, but lives and paints mostly in the United States, living in Venice Beach. You can find out all about her on her extensive website, well worth a gander
Muckrock, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
I love the green monotone and the mischief in the portrait is to die for. I can’t really say too much more about this piece without utterly embarrassing myself. So you, like me, will just have to sit and gaze at it…sigh…
Only recently on my radar, and now I see her work everywhere. This is a great fun piece by Pekoe in St Werburghs tunnel (a spot that is hosting some really great art lately) which displays her trademark third eye and female portrait.
Pekoe, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
What make this particular piece so appealing in my eyes is the nicely crafted bubblegum and the way it obscures all that lies behind it with just a hint of transparency. I am enjoying my voyage of discovery with this artist.
There is an interesting story to this collaboration ‘Girl and Death’ in so much as it was not a planned collaboration at all…it just kind of happened. How do I know this? I discovered it on the Instagram feed of one of the artists involved, Nino Werner:
‘After a night of crazy partying, we started this painting with no real direction first & just enjoyed the fun show that is Bristol Streetart Festival called @upfest . What first started as two separate pieces merged together in the process when we got to know the very talented fella (Luke) next to our dedicated painting spot, who was also painting in black and white, but also added gold. We like shiny things so we grabbed some golden paint and made the separate artworks merge together. The painting is either a reference to a sketch of famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (also called Girl and Death) or the fun party night and the hangover David had the next day when we painted it.‘
It is always great to get a bit of insight from the artists themselves.
Nino Werner, Javi, David Schermann, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
The girl on the left of the collaboration is by Nino Werner, Javi and David Schermann, who I believe visited Upfest from Austria. And on the right of the piece is an intricate skull in black white and gold by Luke Gray.
Nino Werner, Javi, David Schermann and Luke Gray, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Luke Gray has a fabulous website which is well worth a visit. His biography states that he is from the UK and is a nomadic surrealist symbolist painter. He was born colour blind and works in an almost exclusively black and white pallette, using patterns and textures rather than colours.
