This is not a new wall, in fact it was painted round about this time last year if I remember correctly, just before Upfest 2018. I am posting it now because at last I have managed to get a clean shot of it without cars parked directly in front of it, a rare privilege indeed.
Inkie, Gathorne Road, Bristol, July 2019
The piece is obviously by Inkie, and is a straight refresh of a similar piece by the artist that was here before. There is a little hint of Cheba too on the left, with a bit of cosmic background. What is strange about this piece is that it is unfinished, and it would seem that after such a long tiime it is unlikely ever to be finished. The lettering around the word bread is not completely filled or outlined and the leafy sketch at the bottom of the piece also appears to be unfinished. It is a bit naughty of Inkie to leave it like this, and I hope that if it was a commission that the bakery got a discount.
Inkie, Gathorne Road, Bristol, July 2019
In the bottom right of the piece we have a beautiful trademark Inkie girl with hair, a motif that is probably most recognisable as being by Inkie. Pleased to have posted this one at last, and even though it is unfinished, we can all move on.
This is indeed a special wall because there is not one, but two pieces by Face 1st painted I think at different times. I found these pieces on a walk of St Paul’s with Paul Harrison a couple of weeks ago.
Face 1st, Dalrymple Road, Bristol, July 2019
Both of the murals demonstrate beautifully the way that Face 1st is developing his art and on the left are twins dressed up like Everton mints. These cheeky girls were painted first, and when I saw them on Instagram I couldn’t work out where they were… probably because I’ve never photographed this wall before.
Face 1st, Dalrymple Road, Bristol, July 2019
It is the second piece that really captivates me though, where a girl is peering over her sun specs standing in front of some kind of structure (is it speakers?). Her flowing hair is unmistakably Face 1st, and the pattern on the dress a technique shared by fellow PWA member Soap.
Face 1st, Dalrymple Road, Bristol, July 2019
There is something about the form of this young woman that I find incredibly compelling, but I just can’t quite put my finger on it. What a treat to find both of these pieces, and what fun watching Face 1st doing new stuff. I look forward to his next pieces.
My oh my! Nick Harvey, who paints his street art under the name Kin Dose, has created something very special indeed for Upfest’s Summer Editions project. Although it is a pity that there is no festival this year, there has been ample compensation in the form of these ‘special’ pieces spread across the city, with more to come over the summer.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
I knew that Kin Dose was painting a piece, so took the opportunity to go down and watch him work for a while. I have been an admirer of his work for a few years now, ever since I first became aware of him – it was his cat with black eyes at the Carriageworks that first captivated me. It is so good to be able to watch an artist at work and Kin Dose was sketching out the piece the first time I saw it. I asked him quite a few questions (probably too many) and was able to find out quite a lot about him and his work.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
He came to Bristol a few years ago and had been known as both Kin and Dose, so combined both to give him his current street name. He used to do a lot of stencils, but said he has become a bit tired of them and no longer enjoys the fiddly cutting element of the technique. Recently he has been doing a lot more photorealistic stuff, and this one must surely be the jewel in the crown.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
He explained that he perfected his technique through using air brushes to create these photorealistic pieces, and he also uses a lot of cardboard cut out shapes to mask areas and create sharp, clean lines. I asked if that was cheating and he said absolutely not, which made me feel a lot better, because I have been using card to create straight lines on my own rudimentary efforts.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
The piece took about five or six days to complete, and it is amazing to see how a sketched out blur can turn into something quite magnificent. The piece is almost two paintings in one, the girl’s face and the tiger brought together on a cosmic backdrop.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
I’m not too sure what the piece is telling us, but I suspect it is something to do with a connection with nature. The tiger’s head is really stunning and holds a captivating expression. His technique is remarkable, it is almost impossible to understand how he gets such fine detail into the fur and whiskers.
Kin Dose, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2019
Another triumph for Upfest, and anotherr great addition to Kin Dose’s impressive portfolio.
It is the simplicity of Face 1st’s work that I am drawn to. It is unpretentious but full of joy and beauty – uplifting. This modest piece in a copper colour was neatly tacked onto the end of the long wall at Dean Lane skate park. I don’t think it lasted very long, but then nothing here does last very long.
Face 1st, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
I find this one particularly pleasing on the eye, the lines are good and proportions fantastic and the colour combination works very well. One of the features to look out for in his pieces is the ‘ƒƒ’ signature, often placed on the hair of his beauties. I love this piece.
Face 1st is doing a great job of switching it up a bit at the moment, and this fabulous column piece in the M32 Spot is a case in point. I really like the full figure pieces that Face 1st has been doing lately that complement his faces so well.
Face 1st, M32 spot, Bristol, June 2019
Here we have a young woman in a stripy outfit sporting a fine head of purple hair sucking on a lollipop. It is a piece that fits the column so well and kind of has a bit of youth culture and attitude about it. It is a fine counterbalance to other columns in this spot that have been painted by Silent Hobo.
Back to one of my trusty favourites with this beautiful piece at the M32 roundabout by Face 1st. Here he returns to his winning format of a sweet face covered with sumptuously decorated hair which spells out FACE if you look carefully.
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2019
I like the way that Face 1st has diversified over the last few months, but kept these great face pieces in his locker. I hope to come across Face 1st again this summer and tell him that he has inspired me to give it a go myself. I tried copying one of his simple faces, but it didn’t work out too well. More to come from this Bristol stalwart.
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.
