Tag: Kingfisher

2188. Windmill Hill (1)

I know that some of you will have been waiting for me to post this, as it is an internationally high-profile collaboration by My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton and is already deeply embedded in the ‘datasphere’. Nonetheless I wanted to give you my own perspective of this wondrous Bristol piece.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

Firstly, props to Upfest for organising this special event. This year Upfest are taking a rest, a fallow year, from the Summer street art festival. Instead they are going to be orchestrating a few large and significant walls like this one, which will continue to keep Bristol firmly on the street art map.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

While I am certainly familiar with the work of My Dog Sighs, I don’t think I have come across Curtis Hylton before, but he is an artist/muralist based in Hampshire, which is probably why he teamed up with MDS who lives in Portsmouth. Curtis painted the amazing artwork surrounding the eyes by MDS. The blue feathers on the left hand side, I believe are of a kingfisher, and in a WIP shot I saw from Paul121 showed some orange feathers, which were subsequently replaced with blue.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

Eyes are one of the things that MDS specialises in and this one shows a very Bristol scene… the windmill is from Windmill Hill, the balloons from the Bristol balloon fiesta (one of the largest in Europe) and the Clifton suspension bridge. The silhouette runs through the middle of the eye with an extraordinary orange below and stunning sky scene and reflected eyelashes above. Just amazing.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

The eye on the right hand side of the piece shows the same scene… it would look very odd if it didn’t.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

Surrounding this his eye is a different scene altogether. Beautiful cream roses and rose petals, together with some other flowers just below the eye. Taken as a whole the collaboration is beyond impressive, and one of the best to be seen in Bristol for a long time.

My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019
My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton, Windmill Hill, Bristol, April 2019

Just to the right of the piece, the artists completed the wall with further decorations that on their own world be worth the trip, let alone the main work. MDS has really nailed the water drops here. I am going to try and see if I can copy them this weekend, if I get a chance to practice in the garden. Not holding my breath though.

Great to have this world-class piece in Bristol. Bravo My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hilton.

 

2182. Allen Gardens, London (1)

One of the refreshing things about visiting Shoreditch or Camden Town is that every piece I see is a new discovery. What I mean by that is I don’t really follow London street art on social media, so when I see a piece ‘in the flesh’ it is usually the first time I have seen it or even know of it. In Bristol, I will have seen the majority of street/graffiti art works on Instagram before I ‘find’ them and photograph them. What this also means is that I know relatively little about the London artists, and for my own sanity probably need to keep it that way.

Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019
Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019

When I visited Allen Gardens in April I think that this piece by Cockyone was relatively new, it certainly looked incredibly fresh. When it comes to birds I think that kingfishers are a real crowd-pleaser, because of their beauty and character, and they frequently feature in street art. I think this is a wonderful piece, skilfully blending abstract grayscale patterns with the vibrant colours of the bird and the crown tops the whole thing off nicely.

2101. Nelson Street (9)

Kin Dose (part1)

I am struggling to write this post, mainly because I am lost for words at how very good the mural by Kin Dose, just off Nelson Street in the centre of town, is. In my view this is a worldie and we are honoured and privileged to see a wall of such beauty in Bristol.

Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019

The whole scene is of a beautiful geisha under the shade of a paper parasol gracefully holding out her hand upon which a splendid kingfisher sits. This is close to street art perfection, and were it not for the bloody wheelie bins, which I attempted to move, it would pretty much be there.

Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019

The background to the piece is composed of layers of graffiti and burners blended into a japanese scene of mountains and buildings. There is something similar to the style of PichiAvo in this.

Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019

The face of the geisha is absolutely beautiful and not in any way overcomplicated. The flowers cascading from her hair add a real touch of class. The last component of the piece is the kingfisher perching on her hand.

Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Kin Dose, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019

I feel it would be wrong not to point out that the kingfisher is a small bird, and in this piece, ever so slightly out of proportion. But I am nit-picking and I hate myself for it, because this is a truly wonderous piece and really ups the game for the high-end street art talent in this great city. Bravo! Kin Dose.

But it gets even better. Not content with creating one oriental wall on this building, Kin Dose returned to paint a second one a week or so later…see my next post.

1681. Upfest 2018 (21)

To kick of the third set of ten posts from Upfest 2018 is this magnificent piece by the brilliant artist Annatomix. I have seen a few of her pieces and I have to say the more I see of them, the more I like them.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This piece was on a new wall for 2018, which it suited perfectly, in a little garden space behind an arched gateway on North Street. I wrote a haiku about this gateway some time ago.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I managed to have a quick chat with Annatomix during one of the several showers on the Saturday, and I think she was worried about getting behind schedule with the piece. It was such a pity that it rained during Upfest, especially as it was in the middle of a heatwave.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The choice of subject, a kingfisher, and the stunning colours – thanks largely to the kingfisher itself – was absolutely perfect for this space. Her origami style of painting is so clever and really attractive – a kind of abstract take on wildlife.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think it would be nice to keep this as a permanent wall, but I don’t know it that is likely to happen – best to enjoy it while it is there I guess. Bravo Annatomix – one of the festival highlights.

1556. Mina Road (2)

Once in a while we are lucky enough in Bristol to see a large commission piece appear in a public space, the last significant one being the Jodi piece for the Florist on the corner of Park Street and Charlotte street. This beautiful commission is by Zase and can be found in Mina Road.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

Were it not for visionaries who commission this work in the first place, our streets would be considerably duller than they are. In this case, the recent owner of the restaurant is also owner of several other buildings in the area and he is keen to get some of those painted up too.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

This magnificent piece is a solo work by Zase as I am told that Dekor, his painting partner, has returned to his homeland (Slovakia?). A theme that Zase returns to again and again is the natural world, and this piece showcases his talent for painting birds and a natural landscape.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

There is something about flamingos that street artists seem to like – maybe it is the vibrant colours or the curious body form, whatever it is there are a disproportionate number of them out there. Not that I’m complaining mind.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

I like pretty much everything about this mural and of course it contains the trademark 3D moniker from the artist just to the right of the flamingo. Well worth a trip to see this one.

1519. Stokes Croft, Full Moon (2)

Since Aspire left Bristol for London, it is always such a pleasant surprise to see a new piece by him, because it is always just so unexpected. I guess when he was here, I just took it for granted that there would be a regular supply of amazing birds from this extraordinary artist – now, every single one is treasured as a very special and rare gift.

Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018

This beautiful kingfisher is on one of the boards outside the Full Moon pub in Stokes Croft, and I think it might have been done as part of a special event held there, although, I have been away a lot recently and missed it. As always, Aspire never disappoints and the slightly blurred appearance of the bird and the background give a feel for natural movement which brings the piece alive. Still loving his trademark pixels. Stunning piece.

Kingfisher

Slow lowland rivers,

pulling nets for a living,

those halcyon days.

 

by Scooj