Tag: M32 roundabout

5748. M32 roundabout J3 (542)

Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I was lucky enough to meet Zeks late last year while he was painting with Hypo and Dun Sum on a different part of the roundabout, and learned that they all live in Lawrence Weston (L Dub). Fortunately they make the trip into the centre from time to time and decorate our walls. Although I have photographed a handful of pieces by Zeks, this is the first I have published on Natural Adventures.

Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I have to say that this is one of my favourite pieces of 2023. It has an originality and lightness of touch that really makes it stand out. The letters spell ZEKS, although I might have struggled to work it out without knowing the artist (and seeing the signature, of course). The pastel colours on a grey background work incredibly well, but it is the two stylised faces, with their mysterious expressions, accompanying the writing that set it off perfectly. A very nice piece indeed from Zeks – I must dig out others of his, if I can find them in my archive.

5742. M32 roundabout J3 (541)

Evey, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Evey, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The Natural Adventures accolade for most improved and diligent artist in 2023 goes to Evey, whose work last year has been nothing short of inspirational. A regular member of RBF paint jams, Evey has gone from strength to strength and appears to be a much more confident artist than she was a couple of years ago. Practice really does make perfect.

Evey, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Evey, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

This superb piece was painted during a paint jam celebrating Pekoe’s birthday back in December. She has painted some solid letters with wonderful fills in three shades of green, and a host of decorations and squiggles. The exclamation mark at the end makes reference to the people of Palestine and their struggles in the face of daily Israeli bombing raids. A great piece to round off her excellent 2023.

5735. M32 roundabout J3 (540)

Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Happy New Year. I am thrilled to start the year with this magnificent portrait piece that Pekoe painted during an RBF paint jam organised to celebrate her birthday. I can only say that she smashed it with this outstanding portrait painted in her own unique style.

Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

As with so many of Pekoe’s portraits there are three key elements that combine so well in her work, and they are the face, the hair and the decoration. In this piece, the face is beautiful, with eyes glancing left, a delicate nose, a mouth with gold markings and an ear with plenty of piercings. The hair is brilliant, tied up in bunches and the decoration in gold surrounds the portrait with leaves and peace symbols. A truly wonderful piece from Pekoe.

5728. M32 roundabout J3 (539)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I would say that we haven’t seen nearly enough of Stivs’ work in the latter half of this year, so it was particularly gratifying to find this piece on the M32 roundabout, and even though it didn’t last very long, it was noticed.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The calligraffiti writing was painted as a birthday piece for his brother Kelvin, and I can’t really think of a better present than a tribute piece of artwork like this, I know I’d be made up by such a gesture. The beautifully proportioned letters are given an extra lift from the wall by the clever use of  the green drop shadow, which itself has a black border. Care and attention was given to the piece, as demonstrated by the sand coloured background and subtle wisps of paint around the letters. Great work from Stivs.

5727. M32 roundabout J3 (538)

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Smak has rounded off his year with some style, producing a string of outstanding pieces over the last six months or so, with this one, a paint jam piece for Pekoe’s birthday being the latest. This is an absolute classic, written in Smak’s distinctive style, where each letter is afforded plenty of space for elaboration.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The letters are painted in greens and yellows, which is usually a winning combination of colours. The letters SMAK can clearly be seen, and have been stunningly designed. When I see a complex piece of graffiti writing like this, I am left utterly awestruck by the artist’s ability to create such a thing of beauty with spray cans. A triumphant piece from Smak.

5723. M32 roundabout J3 (537)

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

There is just enough time to squeeze one more utterly awesome piece from Dibz and Jody before the year is out. Although not overtly Christmassy, this piece does have a sense of celebration and festival about it.

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The wildstyle writing is from Dibz, and has a camouflage influenced design, offset perfectly with dark purple drop shadows. The letters, which of course are perfectly sharp and well finished, create a wonderful frame for the central portrait by Jody.

Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Jody has actually painted a lot on the streets this year, which has been a huge bonus, and he has definitely saved one of his best for this end-of-year collaboration. There is a sadness and calm in the portrait, and it feels religious or spiritual in nature. Simply stunning.

5720. M32 roundabout J3 (536)

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Happy Christmas. Enjoy this magnificent ‘green man’ piece by Unity, which was painted as part of Pekoe’s RBF birthday paint jam in early December. It has a strong Christmas feel which is why I saved it for today. Where pagan meets Victorian Christmas.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I mentioned a day or two ago that Unity is painting a little more often in Bristol, and it is so good that she is, especially when she creates something as special as this one. Enjoy your day wherever you are.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

5717. M32 roundabout J3 (535)

Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

This year, as in most recent years, Pekoe really celebrated her birthday in style with the RBF crew and associates. Wispa came along for the ride and painted this fabulous writing/character combination piece.

Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Unfortunately I don’t know who the rather cute character with attitude is, but she is painted as beautifully as you’d expect from Wispa, who always finished her work so well, with crispness and sharpness. All aspects of this piece come together really well. Bravo Wispa!

5712. M32 roundabout J3 (534)

Alex Arnell, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Alex Arnell, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023

It is a funny thing, but when you have been observing and documenting street art as long as I have, you get to notice things that many others simply wouldn’t, and you can pretty much always spot talent and promise from the vast spectrum of artwork and graffiti appearing on our walls daily.

Alex Arnell, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Alex Arnell, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023

To Many, this piece by Alex Arnell wouldn’t elicit a second glance, but the child-like scribble is a deliberate style that challenges the status quo. One of the indications that this piece is by a capable artist is the shading on the character’s nose, giving it depth, something a child would not do. The grotesque and alarming face is surrounded with slogans and words, and there is even another head that mimics the central character. I couldn’t end this post without mentioning the butterflies that are associated with some of Alex Arnell’s work, and the little Banksy rat that has been given the Arnell treatment.

5709. Various

Klashwhensober, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Klashwhensober, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

When you see the word ‘various’ for the location in the title of this blog post, you can be pretty certain that it will be a post of Klashwhensober’s work. I feel that the only way I can do him justice is to do a round up of his left-overs each month, such is his high productivity rate. Here are some pieces from November.

Klashwhensober, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Klashwhensober, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

All the pieces spell out SOBER, but you can see simply from first inspection that some are more thought out than others and that the execution can be a little variable, probably reflecting Klashwhensober’s attitude and approach with each piece. Klashwhensober’s general development is steady, but it is not linear… meandering improvement might be a better description.

Klashwhensober, Hepburn Road, Bristol, November 2023
Klashwhensober, Hepburn Road, Bristol, November 2023

This blue piece is nice enough to look at, and it is clear that it was painted quickly. The paint is thinly spread, which might indicate that it is a bit of a ‘dregs’ piece.

Klashwhensober, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Klashwhensober, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Rounding off the quartet of pieces from November is this chrome piece, which is arguably the best of the bunch, painted down in Leonard Lane.  There is more of a sharp feel to this one, with some nice little details and ‘dents’ in the lettering. Have no fear, there is still plenty more to come from Klashwhensober.