5048. M32 Cycle path (199)

 

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

It is a curious thing when an artist paints over their own work, but that is what happened in this instance. Maybe Pekoe didn’t like her last portrait piece here, or maybe she didn’t want to paint over anyone else’s work out of politeness, who knows, but the replacement is an upgrade in my view, and anything from her is always a bonus in my book.

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

The portrait is painted in purple tones, with blue hair, and the girl carries a slightly anxious expression. Many of Pekoe’s portraits are tinged with sadness, but I don’t think that is the case here, for a start, there are no tears. Some subtle shading brings depth to the face, and the white circles emphasise the lips and eyes. This is another beautiful piece from Pekoe.

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

5039. M32 Cycle path (198)

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

This VEIL piece brings a splash of colour to the overhang under the M32 on the cycle path. Desi seems to prefer writing VEIL these days, and I have no complaints about that at all, the letters work well and allow her to express herself the way she likes to.

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

The word that springs to mind every time I see this is ‘colourful’ and when the photograph was sitting as a thumbnail in my ‘February folder’ it stood out from the crowd. Definitely an attention grabber. Nice letters, nicely presented, and another piece in Desi’s growing portfolio.

5018. M32 cycle path (197)

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

There has never been a time when I haven’t been absolutely made up to find a portrait piece from the wonderful Pekoe. It feels like quite a while since her last piece, so this one was a very welcome find.

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

Of course, the portrait has many of the characteristics you’d associate with Pekoe’s work; big hair, sad eyes, great shading to bring out the features and incredible presence. I would have to say that I am not entirely sure about the colour scheme, a little bit too much brown and orange for my liking, but overall this is another wonderful shot in the arm from Pekoe.

5012. M32 Cycle path (196)

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

I came in search of a Face 1st piece, but instead found this wonderful Slakarts colour fest, so you win some, and you lose some, I guess. I have noticed that in some areas of Bristol, the turnover has been on the high side, which means that if you snooze, you lose, and I have been doing a fair amount of snoozing recently.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

Although Slakarts has had a fairly quiet twelve months, the pieces he has painted are real belters. I’m not sure that I can convey just how good this piece is technically. The design is great, but the definition between elements with the thick, crisp black lines is outstanding, and the colour fades and shading, to give depth are excellent too. This is Slakarts at his best.

4991. M32 Cycle path (195)

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

At some point, in the not too distant past, some kindly people or group installed a little raised bed in this dark, dank corner below the M32 motorway. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the bed has not been maintained, and has become a dumping ground (see the razor wire, that seems to reside here) and public toilet. Even in these rather revolting conditions, street artists and writers continue to paint the walls, at risk to their own health, to brighten the place up a bit.

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

This is a lovely chrome burner from Ryder, a true gentleman of Bristol, that through its apparent simplicity and sharpness provides a little eye candy in this desperate spot. It was painted alongside a T-Rex piece (to follow). I like the way the chrome picks up and reflects the light in this dingy space.

4979. M32 Cycle path (194)

Stivs, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, Jnuary 2023
Stivs, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

I had meant to post this piece some time ago, but it just didn’t happen. The first time I photographed this rather special piece by Stivs, the lighting conditions were shocking and my pictures rendered useless. I got there in the end.

Stivs, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, Jnuary 2023
Stivs, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

The vibrant piece seems to have a lot of robot action going on, almost in the style of Transformers. This is far removed from the calligraffiti we are used to seeing from Stivs, and shows us a completely different string to his artistic bow. All in different shades of orange and red, this is a stunner on the cycle path.

4929. M32 Cycle path (193)

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

A constant high-performer in Bristol is Benjimagnetic with his highly disguised abstract letters that usually, but not always, spell out BEN. This nice little reminder o0f his talent is on the M32 cycle path, immediately below the motorway. It is a good spot to paint if there is light rain or the threat of rain, as it has a bit of an overhang to shelter under.

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

Benjimagnetic always chooses a clever colour palette and then works his magic, rather like a choreographer, placing each of the elements and details in exactly the right place, to create a pleasing end product that can be viewed superficially or in more depth. A nice piece from the artist.

4910. M32 Cycle path (192)

Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

Quick one today – visiting relatives in Cornwall today, and a very late night last night, returning home from a Boxing Day football match in London – I am quite tired. Mudra has been firing on all cylinders this year, and you can see the progress of his work over the last few years in this updated gallery of his work.

Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

This is another fine example of his work, with a nicely thought out colour scheme and character face between the M and U of MUDRA. I am very much looking forward to what he can share with us in the new year ahead.

4843. M32 cycle path (191)

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022

At risk of repeating myself, I love seeing new Desi pieces, because with each one there is a subtle but definite improvement. Confidence brings with it the opportunity to push boundaries and have new ideas, and this is something that Desi has done very well.

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022

Although this looks like a quick one, the fills look a bit rushed, the borders and neat and the 3D drop shadow nicely done. Judging by the patchy fills, I wonder whether this was a bit of a ‘dregs’ piece, using up remnants of paint in used cans. Always great to see Desi’s work.

4823. M32 cycle path (190)

Lewse, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022
Lewse, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022

I have not yet met Lewse, which is regrettable, really. Everywhere you go in Bristol, the chances are that you will encounter a Lewse piece, and some of them have been about for a while. I think there is a lot of respect out there for Lewse’s work, and quite rightly so.

Lewse, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022
Lewse, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2022

This is a rather wonderful piece of writing with a character in tow. The letters are large, clear, regular and superbly filled and finished and are bookended by the head and tail of Disney’s incarnation of Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire cat. Great colour scheme, and so very easy on the eye. Anither keeper from Lewse.