3308. M32 roundabout J3 (262)

Another one from a little earlier this year, and what a beauty it is from Hemper. This is a fantastically intricate piece of wildstyle writing from the artist in which each letter of the word HEMPERS (I think) is written with a completely independent style and colour regime and each is wonderfully elaborate.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020

I had a conversation with Hemper earlier in the year when he was painting this same wall, and he told me that he usually freestyles his pieces with a mental picture of roughly how he wants it to turn out. Well if this was what was in his head he has turned out a real gem. Exceptional work from an exceptional graffiti writer.

3276. M32 roundabout J3 (260)

This rather sweet little collaboration first appeared a couple of weeks ago in mid-October and brings together the talents of CD-TC, Daz Cat and Kool Hand. I’m not too sure if these artists paint under a particular crew name, but they certainly seem to hang out together quite a lot.

CD.TC, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
CD.TC, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020

On the left is a rather stlised and weird-looking monster-faced character smoking a cigarette, with the white smoke wisping about the place. It is obvious that CD-TC is a talented artist/deigner from the way he has drawn and filled the arm of his character in orange, black and grey – some great shading and highlighting technique there. CD-TC’s characters are appearing more frequently about the place, which can only be a good thing.

Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020

In the middle is a wonderful scene painted by Daz Cat of a female (hurrah) cat playing an old gramophone record player. She is winding the handle and the indication of motion is done really well – plenty of movement there. The cat is showing off some fine hair accessories that appear to be coming from her ear and add decorative interest to the piece.

Kool Hand, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
Kool Hand, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020

The final part of he collaborative wall is a rather small Orangutan face wearing a cap that we have seen quite a lot of in recent months from Kool Hand. This is, I suppose, a king of mega-tag that Kool Hand is using to hone his skills, but a great framework that just rolls off the spraycan easily.

A refreshing collaboraion.

3273. M32 roundabout J3 (259)

This is the second recent piece from Taboo, the other one was in Dean Lane skate park. A feature of both of these superb pieces is the use of lots of colour, which is noteworthy simply because many of his pieces can be based around two or three colours. Perhaps he has been on a recent spending spree.

Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020

Taboo has stuck to his usual tradition of writing his name followed with a character piece, which will be familiar to most of you as Tom cat from Tom and Jerry. In addition there is an appearance from his Kilroy (was here) character in yellow peering out from one of the ‘O’s.

Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020

The Tom is superbly painted and the story being told here would indicate that Taboo considers his work to have been 19 years in the making and combines a mixed up style underpinned by no talent and painting big. I fear this is a modest story, and I consider this piece to demonstrate his obvious talents for all to see. Unusual yes, but nonetheless skilled and creative.

3258. M32 roundabout J(3) (258)

A beguiling and very clever collaboration brings together the complementary skills of Paul Monsters and Soker in a piece that has a little secret that isn’t at first inspection very obvious. It is a secret I’ll let you in to. The writing by Soker spells the word TRUE, but upside down it spells FALSE. Very clever stuff and very much in the domain of Graffiti writers who love this kind of letter-play.

Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020
Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020

Of course the writing is top notch, but that is what we expect from Soker. The background design is unmistakably the work of Paul Monsters whose distinctive geometric designs and colour selections adorn walls all over Brisol. Note to self – time for a Paul Monsters gallery?. This is an outstanding collaboration from two great artists and fine fellows.

3177. M32 roundabout J3 (254)

Another stunner from Smak on the M32 roundabout and this time it is in beautiful gold and green colours with a slightly unexpected surprise pink and red highlighting the outer edges of the piece.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020

I found this without knowing it had been painted (always rewarding and it usually means that it is pretty fresh because it han’t appeared on Instagram). There is a kind of browny tinge all along the middle of the letters, giving the letters a bit of a 3D shiny feel to them. Belting statement piece.

3170. M32 roundabout J3 (253)

I don’t think that this lovely character piece by DFC1848 lasted too long, so I was quite lucky to get a picture of it. The rabbit (?) face is another example of the diversity of pieces that DFC1848 is coming up with these days, having spend much of his first year of hitting walls concentrating on his now-familiar bear face.

DFC1848, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2020
DFC1848, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2020

I am enjoying his diversifying portfolio and I told him as much when I met him last weekend at the Cheltenham Paint Festival. One thing led to another during our conversation, and he has offered to accompany me when I decide to paint my first wall, an offer that I am giving very serious consideration, so watch this space carefully – I hope to have something to show you before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, DFC1848’s pieces are becoming more complex and he is incorporating new features, such as the little patch on the cheek of this rabbit. Geat to see a street art hunter/photographer giving it a go and improving with each effort. Hats off…

DFC1848, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
DFC1848, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

2625. M32 roundabout J3 (182)

My search through the archives continues with this lovely piece from February 2019 by Warp. I found this one on the back of research that I was doing for the piece I posted by him a couple of days ago, I hadn’t been able to read the letters or signature and so it was languishing forlornly in my March 2019 folder.

Warp, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2019
Warp, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2019

This is another classy piece of graffiti writing from Warp, clean, crisp and in the company of the fabulous Smak (left) and Jaksta (right). I wonder if I have any more of his pieces in my folders…

1576. M32 roundabout J3 (89)

I haven’t seen a new Voyder piece for ages, so was very excited when I knew this one had been painted at the M32 roundabout. Unfortunately this is one of the spots that is obscured by the sun and shade effect from the adjacent trees. Now I love trees as much as the next man, but not when they do this to sensational graffiti art works like this one.

Voyder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2018
Voyder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2018

Even with the variable light conditions on this piece it is possible to see the sheer excellence of this top writers talent. Once again we see a return of his neon squiggle that he draws so perfectly and balances off the whole piece of writing. I have run out of superlatives to describe just how good this guy is – perhaps it is just better to look and marvel.