This is a cheeky piece from John D’oh in the style of a saucy seaside postcard but drawing in some political commentary about our current economic crisis, and he carries if off really well, in my view.
John D’oh, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2022
This piece was painted on a column that previously played host to a Boris Johnson stencil, also by John D’oh, and reminds us of the important role played by political commentators, whether writers or artists, in documenting current events and the impacts of political decisions on society as a whole. Something a little different from John D’oh to enjoy.
The third in a rash of Logoe pieces from his recent visit to Bristol, this piece is on the container under the M32 and a surface that Logoe has painted before. I think that, with their corrugated sides, containers must be very difficult to paint, but Logoe has done a fine job of it here.
Logoe, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2022
What really seems to help with this piece is the black background, which removes any distractions. As we would expect, the piece consists of Logoe’s own brand of script writing accompanied by an array of different sized dots liberally dispersed horizontally along the piece. I would love to see if Logoe could paint dome different letters and switch things up a bit, only because I know it would look amazing.
It is a joyful thing when Logoe comes to town, because he doesn’t imply come and paint one piece, oh no, he absolutely sweats it out with several pieces over a weekend. These blitzes have become a bit of a highlight or interruption in the steady flow of new work that we see every week in the city.
Logoe, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2022
This is the first of several wonderful pieces of graffiti writing by Logoe that I will be sharing over the next month or so, all painted over one weekend. Logoe has painted a real beauty of one of my favourite walls, showcasing his distinctive thin script letters spelling out his name in beautifully complementary colours, finished with a horizontal splash of little oval dots running through the whole piece. It is so good that he keeps returning to Bristol to share his talent with us all.
By the time you read this I will be wetting a line on the south coast of Cornwall not far from Fowey, and this post is short because I need to get up, have breakfast and prepare my fishing gear that hasn’t seen any action for a long while.
Creamylines, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2022
Creamylines hit this spot hard about three weeks ago, and this is the second of his pieces from that session. Painted in the naive style, this piece is another landscape piece filled with hills and people and topped off with a classic sun and sun-rays painted the way we used to paint them in School. You might also spot a couple of concealed faces too. Great work and so different to what we are used to seeing.
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.
Natural adventures 