6853. M32 roundabout J2 (10)

Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2025
Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2025

Since moving out of Bristol, Face 1st has lived up to his reassurance that he would be back reasonably regularly to carry on painting walls. I have noticed, however, that he has selected spots that are a little bit off the beaten track. This piece is on the junction 2 roundabout of the M32, where turnover is a little slower than other spots.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2025
Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2025

Face 1st has been concentrating a little on his letter styles of late, playing with new fonts and presentations. He has also taken to painting with gold paint (perhaps he put in a big order of the stuff). These lower-case letters, in pink, have nice fills and shout-outs to his PWA crew Soap, Zake and Chill. Face 1st is a firm favourite on Natural Adventures.

6715. M32 roundabout J2 (9)

Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025
Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025

I don’t tend to venture to the Junction 2 roundabout on the M32, because there isn’t often much to see there, but my most recent trip was rewarded by finding this nice Face 1st piece in one of the multitude of tunnels. This was more special than usual, because as I have said here before, Face 1st has moved out of town, and his pieces appear less frequently.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025
Face 1st, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025

The piece itself is a classic combination from the artist, with a Girl’s face (somewhat mucky around the mouth), and big hair, with the word FACE in glorious gold, wrapped around. The letters are painted in a chunky block style that Face 1st rather likes to paint, and the whole thing is a bit of a blast from the past. It is great to see that Face 1st is living up to his word of returning to Bristol reasonably regularly to paint a little.

6692. M32 roundabout J2 (8)

Chill, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025
Chill, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025

It is always a little sad when street/graffiti artists move away from Bristol, but some consolation that new artists are emerging or moving to the city, generally at a faster rate, growing the incredible pool of talent. PWA (Pirate Wall Art) took a double hit at the end of 2024, with both Face 1st and Chill leaving town and leaving behind a significant void. Face 1st, it should be registered, has returned several times to paint, just as he said he would. This piece by Chill, however, I think was painted before he left, which made it all the sweeter to find.

Chill, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025
Chill, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2025

Chill has managed to squeeze one of his stylish cartoon characters onto a column with great skill and without making it look too distorted or contrived. I will miss his urban street-wise people with their caps and ear discs. If you miss them too, here is an updated gallery of his outstanding work.

6496. M32 roundabout J2 (7)

Lupa, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
Lupa, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024

I am a fan of Lupa’s work, and although it can be a little rough around the edges, it feels authentic, honest and unpretentious. As ever, with her work, there is a lot of joy and personality about the presentation of her letters, which are characterful and animated with simple faces. The bright colours are not blended, but simply blasted onto the wall, which adds to the genuine nature of Lupa’s work.

Lupa, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
Lupa, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024

This piece is in one of the tunnels of the much underused Junction 2 roundabout, where turnover is far lower than one might expect. There is a lot of wall space here, which gives me comfort, because as the city becomes more and more gentrified, some of the ‘traditional’ walls and hoardings are rapidly disappearing. Lupa has used the space well.

6484. M32 roundabout J2 (6)

Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024

Very rarely, I venture into the tunnels and north under the M32 at the Junction 2 roundabout, and am always rewarded with one or two gems that lurk there. I have to say that I am surprised that this area isn’t a much more popular spot for street artists, as there is plenty of wall space and dozens of columns. This piece from Haka might have been here for some time, but I am posting it because I rather like it.

Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024

The writing/character combination piece features the rather sweet Monster Munch Pickled Onion flavour monster, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the Sugar Puffs Honey Monster – perhaps they are cousins. Perhaps Haka was inspired by the snack when he painted this piece, as it is a slight deviation from his picture book characters. Great stuff, and I am pleased I took this little diversion from my usual rounds.

5797. M32 roundabout J2 (5)

Nips, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2023
Nips, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2023

Nips is an artist I really don’t know too much about and haven’t posted very often. Her work is neat and tidy and I would put her into the same style grouping as Desi, Evey, Maes and Rose (whose work I have not yet posted). The letters are large and clear, no disguises or complacated design work, simply honest and authentic graffiti writing.

Nips, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2023
Nips, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2023

This is a small one from the J2 roundabout, next to the large Tesco in Eastville. Letters spelling out NIPS are filled with lilac and decorated with orange and white spots. Keeping it simple can be a good thing where the phrase ‘more is less’ can be applied. I hope to see much more of Nips’ work in 2024.

5792. M32 Roundabout J2 (4)

Keos, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2024
Keos, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2024

Keos visited Bristol not so long ago and left a few pieces, three I think, and this is the second I found. I don’t think I am likely to find another one. I think I got lucky to find this one, because I only rarely visit the Junction 2 roundabout of the M32.

Keos, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2024
Keos, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, January 2024

As far as I can make out, Keos seems to travel around the country a fair bit and leaves his distinctive letters for all to enjoy. This one is big, bold and vibrant, welcoming visitors to the Eastville Tesco. Great colours, fills and background – always welcome to visit.

5211. M32 roundabout J2 (3)

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

As regular readers will know, Logoe is an artist who visits Bristol several times a year, and one who makes the most of each trip, typically painting about six pieces over a couple of days. On his last visit, Logoe favoured the area around the Junction 2 roundabout on the M32.

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

These two pieces were painted opposite each other in a foot tunnel under the roundabout. Painted in his customary script writing, both pieces incorporated a fair amount of gold and orange tones and a liberal smattering of accompanying spots and dots.

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

I can only guess that Logoe pretty much sprays these pieces in quick-time. I wonder if the phrase ‘always a little further’ relates in any way to his heroic efforts. In this second piece, the white border is a nice touch which lifts the piece a little. I guess we need to brace ourselves for another visit sometime, although I understand that his work is a little more busy in the warmer months.

5166. M32 roundabout J2 (2)

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

It would be fair to say that I am struggling to keep up with Logoe’s activity. He may only be a weekend visitor to Bristol, but he certainly crams in the pieces when he comes. I ventured up to the Junction 2 roundabout of the M32 recently, and found several recent pieces by Logoe, a couple of which are featured in this post.

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

I rather like the colours of this compressed green piece, written in a slightly fatter script than his usual scratchy letters. It would appear that Logoe can slap up his graffiti pieces in no time at all without compromising the quality of design or finishing.

Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023
Logoe, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2023

The second piece is rather wider than the first, but picks up on the slightly fatter letters.  I am guessing that this was the last of a series painted during the day, because it has the message ‘bed time…’. I am guessing he was tired, because there is a distinct lack of horizontal oval spots – perhaps he had run out of paint. I think that Logoe represents the almost obsessive side of graffiti writing married up with the pure joy he would seem to get out of it. Lots more to come from this session.