It is interesting how some artists simply appear out of nowhere, without warning. Sometimes you get to watch an artist from the start, working on their style and developing their skills, but at other times a fully ‘up to speed’ artist just starts painting, either a visitor to Bristol or a recent mover to the city.
Creamylines, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2022
Creamylines is one of those ‘just appeared’ artists, and three new pieces under the M32 and another one in Easton are there for all to enjoy. His style is so very different from anything else we have in Bristol, and you can see how he goes about his work in this Instagram post on the artist’s thread. It is a privilege to welcome him to the Bristol scene.
This is a very fine tribute piece by Dott Rotten, one in a series from several Bristol Graffiti writers in honour of Sear, who appears to have been a popular friend in the community of artists. This is an absolute banger from Dott Rotten and does Sear proud.
Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022
On the left are the letters SEAR written in Dott Rotten’s beautiful style, with deep 3D shadows in grey tones. The fills are outstanding and the transitions across the letters expertly done. The whole piece is set on a cosmic background, with a kind of super-hero character on the right-hand side. A work of love from Dott Rotten.
Another short one this morning, on account of my vacation. This is a lovely piece from Marckinetic, whose rather unusual style is distinct and recognisable. I like his incorporation of cosmic fills and backgrounds, a technique he obviously seems to enjoy.
Marckinetic, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022
The turnover on this wall tends to be rather slow, so most things that go up here will most likely be around for at least a month or two. It lends itself to long low pieces, which would suit Marckinetic down to the ground. Another nice piece from this relatively new to Bristol artist.
Anyone expecting to see Upfest pictures from last weekend are going to have to be a little patient. It will take me a while to select the right pictures to share and I have about a 10-day pipeline of images already uploaded. Perhaps there will be something in a fortnight or so. Later this week I will have some more Upfest walls for you so at least I am not being entirely negligent.
I am a little distracted today as I leave for Portugal this afternoon on a mini-break with my daughter, who really deserves it. She has had a very tough couple of years and I hope this trip will raise her spirits. Speaking of the Iberian peninsula, here are a couple of pieces by Spanish artist Zake (see what I did there?).
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
Zake has been smashing it all year and is paining as frequently as I can remember, and these pieces are from his ‘safe space’ M32 Spot, where I first encountered his work a few years back. The pillar piece is where he had a presence for a long time, and a quick glance at his gallery will give you a sense of how much he likes this spot.
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
Both pieces display Zake’s mastery of light and shade in bringing out features in his cartoon faces. He has a gift for using colour and shadings to create depth to his pieces. Zake painted a fun piece for Upfest which I will post soon, all being well.
Right, that’s your lot today, I have some packing to do. I understand there is quite a lot of street art in Porto… what a coincidence!
You will know by now, that I consider John D’oh to be a fabulous stencil artist whose astute observations and commentaries record a snapshot of life in Britain, often observed through a political lens. While John D’oh speaks for many, particularly in Bristol, someone took exception to this piece and buffed all but Johnson’s face and scrawled ‘Support Boris Johnson’ next to it… there is still much work to do. If there are Johnson supporters in the poorer districts of Bristol, then there are still some messages that simply aren’t landing.
John D’oh, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
I really am so sick and tired of the worst Prime Minister we have ever had. He depresses me, because I am embarrassed and ashamed to think that people from other countries might believe Johnson to be representative of the UK’s views and aspirations. He is not. He is like Trump, bolstered by the far right of the Conservative party, pushing only their views and dressing it up as ‘what people want is…’. I loathe him and everything he stands for.
John D’oh writes “Fuel poverty… I can assure the British people that having burned £50 notes in front of homeless people I can relate and understand their suffering and see the pain in their eyes – Boris”, referencing some historical despicable behaviours of this odious man.
Keep up the great work, John D’oh, our nation needs reminding just how low Johnson will stoop to retain power.
Last October I wrote my first post about a piece by Typo on the pages of Natural Adventures, fully meaning to post his artwork reasonably regularly. My bad… I have only just got round to posting some more, and to make up for it, here are three of his column pieces for the price of one.
Typo, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
I have only seen Typo’s work on these square column under the M32 and nowhere else. He has a unique and colourful style, and one that seems to use the spray can more as a brush than a fill or solid line tool, with the result that his pieces look like elaborate sketches. This first one seems to be of a character wearing a wizard hat with green hair, an a hidden caption ‘Rain’. What it all means, I simply don’t know.
Typo, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
The second piece in this selection appears to be a flying toadstool, accompanied with a very colourful signature at the bottom. Typo’s work seems to be well thought out and telling a story of sorts. His artwork is developing, and he appears to be using these columns as a place to practice his craft.
Typo, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2022
The third piece in this collection is quite different. A figure with a sword slung over his shoulder painted before a red sun is accompanied with some Japanese writing and ‘#bemoremelling’ and ‘see you space cowboy’. All rather cryptic and mysterious, but intriguing and compelling too. Typo is creating a style and range all of his own, and is quite unlike anything else in Bristol. Lots more to come from this enigmatic artist.
DFC1848 doesn’t really need much of an introduction on these pages, but it has been a little while since he last painted in Bristol. This rather cute column piece is a reversion to his ‘go to’ character that he has been nurturing for a few years now. However, DFC 1848 has been developing and improving so much, with each new piece and I would recommend a quick look at his Instagram account to get a sense of what I mean.
DFC1848, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2022
The cheeky character is very nicely done with string solid fills, clean lines and a rather nice twinkle on his tooth. It is obvious that DFC1848 is very comfortable and confident with his work. Great to see.
You can expect a whole lot more of these wonderful monster pieces from Mote, because I have a lot in my archive, and he paints regularly enough to keep me busy. This is a great example of his work, and also typifies his preference for columns. Although the monster might seem a little naive, it is actually beautifully painted and Mote takes his time to keep his lines sharp and his fills really solid.
Mote, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022
I take great inspiration from artists like Mote, Enn Kay and Maybe Paints who are all pretty new to painting the streets and have come on really quickly, presenting some outstanding work. If I get a moment, I hope to do my first public piece this summer, following their brave example, very possibly on one of the columns under the M32.
I have a feeling that you will be seeing a lot more of Bogat and his painting pal Asre on Natural Adventures over the coming weeks and months, as they have both been rather busy of late. This column piece by Bogat, might have been the first piece of his that I consciously knew was by him. Before this, I’m not sure He was on my radar.
Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022
Although this is perhaps not the best piece by Bogat, it is certainly striking and unmistakably his work. The writing in the brain is something I have seen before from another artist, but I don’t recall which one. The piece definitely stands out, and is a magnet for graffiti photographers like me, and Bogat’s work which is often tall and thin, definitely lends itself to columns.
Ryder seems to like this particular spot as much as I do, or at least it would appear to be that way given that he paints it reasonably often. This piece is a classic piece of Ryder wildstyle graffiti writing, which is always of the highest order.
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2022
The most striking thing about this piece is the copper colouring of the letters that seems to change completely in tone, depending on where it is viewed from. This is the kind of piece that one could easily imagine being slapped on the side of a wagon on the New York subway. Classic, clean and tidy. Pure graffiti writing at its best.
Natural adventures 