4121. M32 Cycle path (151)

It feels to me like Slakarts is taking his art to a new level and his recent pieces have shown real dynamism and creativity. This recent piece from the M32 cycle path, works on his stylised character portrait, but presents it in an entirely new way.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2021
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2021

The piece is made up of two portraits facing one another in subdues grey colours, with some lighter highlights that express freedom and confidence in his work. Contrast this with one of his recent colourful pieces and you see an artist whose range is wide and skills are of the highest order. A lovely ephemeral piece.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021

4100. M32 Cycle path (150)

I think that this might be one of my favourite Slakarts pieces to date. The slightly more sophisticated overall design and inclusion of great colours (reminiscent of Kleiner Shames’ preferred palette) delivers a truly pleasing work. Perhaps he was inspired while painting alongside Decay… and who wouldn’t be?

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021

The stylised portrait has been painted with great care, and the lines are sharp and fills solid. There are some clever elements and some fabulous fragmentation of elements, creating something of a cubist look to the piece. A beautiful piece beautifully finished.

4098. M32 Cycle path (149)

Regulars will know that I really like Bnie’s work. She fits into a school of writers whose letters are not cryptic… what you see is what you get, and the magic is created in the colour schemes and in the fills and patterns. Some, for example Mena in yesterday’s post, try something a little different from time to time, but it is in perfecting what you enjoy that shines through the most.

Bnie, M32 Cycl path, Bristol, November 2021
Bnie, M32 Cycl path, Bristol, November 2021

This newish piece on the cycle path, part of an RBF paint jam, does incorporate some slightly new letter shapes and the horizontal fade from purple through to green in four shades is beautifully worked, but it is her distinctive patterned (in red and black this time) 3D depth that is truly masterful. Great piece.

4071. M32 Cycle path (147)

I cannot help but absolutely love this recent portrait piece from Pekoe, for lots of reasons. Of course, I am a big fan of her work in any case, but the wonderfully stylish haircut absolutely does it for me, and it is a major departure for Pekoe whose portraits normally have big and sometimes disorganised hairstyles.

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021

Pekoe has been doing a lot of full front or three-quarter face portraits, and the difference here is that she has gone for a profile, and I think it works really well. I like it all – the grey face and pink cheek, the blue hair and lips and the yellow border. This one is definitely a keeper.

4033. M32 Cycle path (146)

This wonderful portrait piece by Rosalita (Rozalita) is part of a collaborative effort with Conrico. Unfortunately, by the time I got to see it, Conrico’s contribution had been overpainted with a rather substandard throw up. Luckily, though, Rosalita’s piece was left intact.

Rosalita, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2021
Rosalita, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2021

This is a Halloween piece, or more accurately a Dia de Los Muertos portrait, with a representation of a Mammacita (Conrico’s word, not mine). The decorated face with stitched lips is a familiar sight these days, as these Day of the Dead festivals become more internationalised. The roses in the hair round the portrait off nicely. Rosalita just keeps on turning out these amazing portraits.

3992. M32 Cycle path (145)

I think that this is the last piece to be posted from a recent and most welcome spate of excellent work by Flava136 in Bristol. Having said that, maybe his trips will continue to be more frequent, and he seems to clicked with quite a few members of the LRS crew in the city.

Flava136, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2021
Flava136, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2021

As with the last piece I posted, Flava136 has produced some cryptic writing into this monster piece. I guess it says FLAVA or part of it, where the F is obvious, but thereafter I am clutching at straws a little – perhaps there is an L just above the tongue. Anyhow, this is yet another outstanding, sharp piece from Flava136.

3988. M32 Cycle path (144)

It was a case of third time lucky with these pictures… my previous efforts were taken in bright sunlight and a shadow was cast across the middle of the piece, so while the colours were perhaps a little more vibrant the photographs were shit (pardon me). (my spell checker has just highlighted a profanity, ha ha).

Taboo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021
Taboo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021

Taboo is a real favourite of mine and his wacky of-beat pieces are a fantastic challenge to all that is conventional in street art. Taboo’s writing is eratic and unpredictable and usually in a monotone, somewhat akin to the writing of Alos and other similar writers, but then, alongside this unconventional writing, Boom! Taboo gives us a perfect rendition of Mini Mouse.

Taboo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021
Taboo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021

This juxtaposition is what gives his work its unique and memorable identity, something we can all identify with while at the same time be puzzled by. I have made it no secret that I am a big fan of his work and get a buzz whenever I see his stuff.

3966. M32 Cycle path (143)

I met Pl8o for the first time a couple of weeks ago while he was painting at Brunel Way, and what a nice fellow he is. He talked a little about his recent experimentation with styles, but said that he was lining up some more ‘blocky’ pieces, of which I guess this is one.

Pl8o, M32 cycle path, Bristol, September 2021
Pl8o, M32 cycle path, Bristol, September 2021

This piece is a delightful sleepy nighttime piece with a moon and stars for added interest. Pl8o has painted some large block letters, nicely filled and decorated, but the star of the show is the moon face blowing clouds into the night sky. A fun and light-hearted piece.

3961. M32 Cycle path (142)

Another debut on Natural Adventures in 2021, this time from Chill. It would be interesting to look back on 2021 and look at how many artists appeared on these pages for the first time, and which artists featured the most. Perhaps a little New Year exercise for me to do.

Chill, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021
Chill, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, September 2021

I know nothing about the artist, but I absolutely love this black and white cartoon trio of characters, painted in a very Beano/Dandy/Viz kind of style. Loads of mischief and fun and really tight artwork. There is a simplicity and symmetry to the piece that makes it so easy to enjoy. I really ought to do a little more research to find out more about the artist. Maybe if I find another Chill piece.

3941. M32 Cycle path (141)

I was lucky enough to meet Mest when he was painting this piece, just a couple of days before the Italy v England Euro 21 cup final. Perhaps the less said about the result of that match, the better, although being an Italophile, losing to the Italians wasn’t so bad.

Mest, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2021
Mest, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2021

Mest wasn’t at all what I expected, but then I can’t think of a single artist who looked anything like I thought they might before I met them. His simple large letters in white are embellished with a large red cross through the middle to create a Mestivellian St George cross, The whole thing neatly bound with a black and blue border. A nice patriotic football piece. I must be getting close to having enough of his work for a gallery.