171. Brook Road

Some time ago, when I was strolling around the back streets of St Pauls and Montpelier I came across this really unusual wall by Jack Dones, who is one part of the Paintsmiths, although I think he painted this as a solo piece.

Dones, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2015
Dones, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2015

It is a very clever and rather touching idea and very different from most of the street art in Bristol. It is a well known image, but I’m not sure how many people know where it is as it is a bit off the beaten track. I would have liked to seen it in its pristine condition, but I came rather late to the party.

Dones, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2015
Dones, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2015

7/10

170. Dean Lane skate park (1)

It is a strange thing with hunting down street art that you can be completely ignorant of a particular artist, and then within a few days see several of their works. One such artist is Laic 217 who I featured for the first time on 31 March 2016. Earlier this week I spotted another of his pieces in the skate park in Dean Lane.

Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016

What I like about these is the character within the burner that seems to be common to his works, and the colours he uses.

Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016

I look forward to finding more of his stuff, especially as I now know where to look.

7/10

169. West Street

I am still coming across street art that was created during Upfest 2015, and on my walk yesterday I found this wonderful piece by Gemma Compton.

Gemma Compton, West Street, Bristol, April 2016
Gemma Compton, West Street, Bristol, April 2016

Compton is an artist and fashion designer who is based in Bristol, and another graduate from UWE (University of the West of England). A lot of her work incorporates wildlife and birds in particular. She has an interesting website that shows off her extensive work. Street art is clearly not her main focus, which is a pity, as this is rather good.

7/10

168. North Street Green (1)

It was a gorgeous sunny day yesterday, and now that I am back in work after the holidays, I couldn’t wait to escape for a long lunchtime walk. I was rewarded with some new street art that I haven’t seen before. This cheeky piece is by the ubiquitous Cheo – I knew he had recently been busy from his Instagram account, but wasn’t sure where this work was.

Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016
Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016

I think it might be called ‘gorilla gubbins’, although that might just be a label he gave it.

Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016
Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016

This particular wall has changed at least three times in the last 6 months or so, and it will change again during Upfest 2016, which I am getting rather excited about. I have pictures of two other works on this wall.

Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016
Cheo, North Street Green, Bristol, April 2016

I love the bad gorilla smoking a cigar. I think the piece is only a few days old.

 

7/10

167. M32 roundabout Junction 3 (2)

Here is a lovely clean piece by another member of the PWA crew, following on from the Face F1st work that I posted a few days ago.

Soap, PWA, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Soap, PWA, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

This fine double-mouthed creature is typical of Soap’s work. Beyond that I can really tell you nothing about the artist. Sometimes it is better like that.

Soap, PWA, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Soap, PWA, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

I’m not sure who the alien ZAP figure (to the right) is by, but you can see there is quite a gap in quality between them. I like soap’s work, I just don’t get to see enough of it.

7.5/10

166. Jamaica Street (4)

Following on seamlessly from from post 165 you can see that the PRSC outdoor gallery in now occupied by Soker and 3Dom.

3Dom, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016
3Dom, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016

There is a lovely thread of vapour that joins the two pieces coming from the mouth of the curious 3Dom creature on the right (when ever was a 3Dom piece not curious?) and weaving around the Soker burner.

Soker, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016
Soker, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016

I love these collaborations that bring together wildstyle burners with more conventional art pieces – more will follow.

7.5/10

165. Jamaica Street (3)

Jamaica Street is home to the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) outdoor gallery. To anyone who walks around this area, this wall is a regular stop off point.  This wonderful wildstyle burner is by DNT and partners the bear by Mr Sle7en that I featured recently.

DNT, Jamaica Street, Bristol, January 2016
DNT, Jamaica Street, Bristol, January 2016

The whole piece spells out ‘Bristol’ and uses the fabulous colours to bring out the design. This piece always cheered me up in the mornings on my way to work, and supports the theories that say that street art brings about a sense of civic pride and coherence. It is certainly the case in Bristol.

DNT, Jamaica Street, Bristol, January 2016
DNT, Jamaica Street, Bristol, January 2016

The piece has now gone and been replaced by a collaboration between Soker and 3Dom – see my next post.

7/10

164. Ashley Road (4)

Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that I have a real soft spot for Face F1st. Part of the PWA crew (Pirate Wall Art), Face F1st’s pieces are always low-key and often tucked away.

Face F1st, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016
Face F1st, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016

What I like about this piece is the calming image and simplicity in the artwork. Nothing flashy, but a pleasing end result. I have posted another Face f1st piece here.

8/10

163. Ashley Road (3)

Just writing my name

This wall is probably the most over-painted practice wall in Bristol.For any pieces to last here, they have to be pretty good. This brilliant and colourful work by Deamze remained intact and untagged for a long while, but like all good things it has now gone.

Deamze, Ashley Road, Bristol, November 2015
Deamze, Ashley Road, Bristol, November 2015

It is impossible not to like this and other works by Deamze – his lines are so sharp and his colours always work in complete harmony with the lettering and characters.

8/10

162. M32 roundabout Junction 3 (1)

I use this roundabout frequently and have been aware of loads of graffiti dotted around its superstructure. I decided on Tuesday to park up and take a closer look. The whole place is awash with amazing street art. Most of it is made up of wildstyle burners (intricate lettering) although there are some great art pieces too. Today I’ll start off with an artist I’ve not come across before.

Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

This burner is by Laic 217. I imagine he is local, as there are a couple of his works nearby. My searches on the Interweb have not given me much information about the artist, but he does have an active Instagram account.

Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

This piece has a symmetry about it, and the gaping portrait reminds me a little of the ‘Hellraiser’ movie. I’ll post more as I find it.

6.5/10