833. M32 Spot (4)

A couple of weekends ago, there was a small gathering of Bristol street/graff artists underneath the M32 in the dry weather DIY skateboarding area known as the M32 Spot. The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) had used their reach, to encourage some artists to adorn the concrete pillars under the motorway. There will be several posts on this particular gathering.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

First off is this fabulous piece by Jee See, whom I was fortunate enough to meet, at last, as he was just finishing off this piece (not the bloke in the picture). Square pillar works are a devil to photograph, due to the different light intensities on each of the sides and the background lighting ranging from very dark to very bright.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

I guess the pillars must be rather challenging for the artists too. Jee See told me that Japanese the writing on the side of the pillar says Gothic Chav, although I might have got that wrong.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

All in all this is a nicely thought out piece in which Jee See expresses his thoughts . I enjoy his work very much, and perhaps a little more now having seen him at work. An  guy with some cool things to say/spray.

831. M32 roundabout J3 (40)

It has been a little while since I have seen a Sled One piece, but this one has been worth waiting for. A crocodile, or is it an alligator? with SLED written into the main part of the body.

Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017

There is a lot to like about this piece; the colours, the backdrop design, the writing and of course the reptile with its stylish purple glasses. This was my second attempt at photographing the work. The first time was on a very bright day, and there was a shadow cast across half of the wall…sometimes overcast days can be a blessing.

Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017

830. M32 Roundabout j3 (39)

I was lucky enough to meet Ments at the Graffiti Nation exhibition opening evening at the Upfest shop in April. As with all other graffiti artists, he looked nothing like the image I had conjured up in my mind. It is interesting what assumptions we are capable of making before actually meeting a person.

Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017

Ments came to Bristol but is originally from East Anglia, and if street art is your thing, it is probably an obvious move to make. This piece is of such a high quality and showcases the organic feel he gives to his work.

Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017

This wildstyle writing is complex, but look carefully and you might be able to make out the letters MENTS. His work is so distinctive and seems to improve from piece to piece.

829. Leonard Lane (10)

Since I first ‘found’ Leonard Lane about two years ago, I have been back many times to see if there is any new art down there. Sometimes I get lucky, and this was one of those occasions.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017

This is an unusual piece by an unknown artist (please let me know if you know who painted it), who seems to have used the narrow alleyway to practice some outdoor fine art. The reclining woman is nicely painted, but it is the face that steals it for me – really nicely done.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017

It seems incongruous placed alongside graffiti and tags, but somehow it enhances the piece somewhat. A bit like a DIY PichiAvo piece. I would love to know more about this unusual piece, but suspect it will remain a bit of a mystery.

827. City Road (4)

Some weeks ago now, I had a great walk home from work, and discovered several wheatpastes by qWeRT. This one was rather better concealed than others I had spotted, and photographing it was a little awkward because the householder was sitting in the doorway, soaking up the sun. I asked if they minded me taking a picture…I don’t think they had even noticed this little gem on their own doorstep. Oh well.

qWeRT, City Road, Bristol, April 2017
qWeRT, City Road, Bristol, April 2017

I am fond of these googly eyed characters, there is something endearing and playful about them. As you will know by now, I am fond of a good paste up, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

826. Stokes Croft, the Carriageworks (26)

A quick one from Jee See on the Carriageworks carrying his trademark ‘seismic’ lettering, this time with accompanying ‘Why sick?’. I’m not too sure what it all means, but it is bright and upbeat.

Jee See, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2017
Jee See, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2017

Since I took this picture, I have at last met Jee See, and what an utter gent he is. More about this soon. I like this picture with the sun and shadows and the skulking Silent Hobo character on the adjacent space. All good.

825. Raleigh Road, Vector (13)

The temporary hoardings in Raleigh Road are something of a honey pot for several members of the ASK crew. Given that there is little, if any, tagging on this space, I wonder if it is a curated legal wall. I guess I ought to know really.

Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

This is an amazing wispy and colourful piece by Soker, and slightly different from the work we are used to seeing from him. It is interesting that the board had been blacked out before the piece was sprayed, suggesting that this was part of an organised event.

Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

Soker, Keeping Things Fresh (KTF).

824. Dean Lane skate park (56)

Well it has been a few days, hasn’t it? this is one of the best Laic217 pieces that I have seen. I think he is moving on to a new level, and he has worked this wall perfectly. As tribute to the quality of this piece, it has remained untagged and intact for at least a fortnight, which shows the respect from other artists.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

Although I have seen this theme before (fire from a spray can) from other artists, I think he has excelled with this, in particular I like the way he has shaded the reflected light on the face and head of the skull, grading from white/yellow to purple/black.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

I still have many more recent pieces by this most prolific artist in my archives, and I will unapologetically post them all. Really fabulous work.

823. Dean Lane skate park (55)

This is a historic moment, for me at least. I saw this piece on a lunchtime trip to the Deaners and the paint was still wet. The artist, Lumagro, was hanging out with DC Guts and Jimmer Willmott (pictured). The reason this is history in the making is that this is Lumagro’s debut piece, and what a stunning introduction.

Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

I believe the artist may be from Spain or a Spanish speaking country, and there certainly appears to be more than a little Mediterranean/European influence in this piece. I absolutely love it and want to see more of his work.

Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

Distinctive and classy, Lumagro owns this space…albeit for a short time. I think this piece shows that you can produce a sophisticated simple work without overdesigning. Just brilliant. Bravo.

 

 

822. Dean Lane skate park (54)

I am so very much enjoying the journey Mr Draws is on at the moment. His trademark mountains seem to be a distant memory, and he is vigorously experimenting with his letters. This is a lovely piece, sprayed over the top of a Kid Crayon work (recently featured) which had been tagged.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

Mr Draws is always looking to stretch himself, and uses the walls of Bristol to practice and modify. All the time he is improving his technique and mastery of his craft. This one has a childlike quality to it – candy or marbles or something like that.