Tag: M32

2673. M32 roundabout J3 (187)

Face 1st has been at it again with this beautiful piece down on the north side of the M32 roundabout. I think this must have been his last piece of 2019 and it features both a happy and a sad face which might be a reflection of the year gone by. Let’s hope that next year’s equivalent piece has two happy faces.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

The writing in this piece is so very easy on the eye with big fat letters and subtle shading and highlights that give it a nice 3D effect. The two things that stand out for me though are the little red heart and the tears of the crying girl. Thank you Face 1st for an incredible year of art, and a lovely t-shirt to boot.

2671. M32 roundabout J3 (186)

Ooh, there is so much to like about this gorgeous piece of graffiti writing from Rusk down at the M32 roundabout. The colour choices are magnificent and it is clever how the chrome/gray at the bottom of the piece matches the buffed background. The transitions between the the green/white/chrome are masterfully done, with an intermediate green to gently soften the blend.

Rusk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Rusk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

As always it would appear that Rusk has taken time and care to produce this tight and very clean piece. Even the attention to detail on the smaller yellow RAW and RUSK is of the highest level. This is a classic Rusk piece and showcases really well his skills. Surely it must be time for a gallery of Rusk’s work – I’ll get to it.

2668. M32 roundabout J3 (185)

Daz Cat has been relatively quiet over the last couple of months, so it was good to find this cat piece which has been sprayed over a chrome cat he painted in the same spot a few months back.

Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

Many of his pieces tend to be pretty quick and dirty, that is to say they are really good, but are not as crisp as some of the more designed pieces about the place. I am guessing that his cat began life as an elaborate tag that has become something of a trademark for the artist. Maybe it is because I like cats, but I really enjoy finding work from Daz Cat when I’m out and about.

2666. M32 Cycle path (46)

On a wall that is predominantly used for graffiti writing it was great to see this rather unusual collaborative mural appear recently by Kool Hand and Conrico. If I am honest I have absolutely no idea at all what is going on in the piece but when Conrico is involved, there is usually a story of some sort behind the piece.

Kool Hand, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Kool Hand, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

On the left is a character by Kool Hand who I would more commonly associate with painting animals such as crocodiles or orangutans, but the solid fill and clearly defined outlines give this piece away as being by Kool Hand.

Conrico, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Conrico, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

The rest of the piece seems to be made up of floating islands, two of which appear to be at war with one another. Unfathomable, but original and interesting. I am a big fan of Conrico’s work and am enjoying finding pieces by him dotted all over the place. More to come in a day or two.

2660. M32 Cycle path (45)

There has been a recent rush of Slakarts pieces and this one on the M32 cycle path is nicely sandwiched between Rezwok and Nightways from a session earlier on in December.

Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

Unmistakably by Slakarts, the artist has included a third eye, possibly as an afterthought, which is not painted in the same way as the ‘normal’ eyes with the blue and yellow colours and drips. This is a nicely executed piece and a welcome addition to a wall which is dominated by graffiti writing. Let’s hope 2020 brings us a visual feast as strong as 2019.

2658. M32 roundabout J3 (184)

It has been a very long time since I last posted a piece by Thelocknessmonster mainly because, if I’m completely honest, I don’t think his work has been as good recently as it has been in the past. This piece down on the M32 roundabout is the first that I have really liked in ages and in my view, he seems to be getting his mojo back.

Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

The style is really unusual, composed mainly of cartoon-like line drawings that come together to tell a story although it is often difficult to be sure what the story is. Thelocknessmonster will often use motifs and symbols such as statues and shapes. He signs his pieces with the word ‘Egotist’ and often includes ‘Splab Lads’ or ‘Splab Gang’ which I think is a crew, but I don’t yet know any other members of the crew.

Always imaginative and creative and deliberately different Thelocknessmonster occupies his own special place in the Bristol street art scene.

2637. M32 Cycle path (44)

Well, he’s out and about again, this time on the M32 cycle path which runs parallel with Stapleton Road. Rezwonk has mixed it up a bit in this piece with each of his letters being made up of a different colour palette although the letter style is consistent, which you can see by comparing the two Rs for example.

Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

Rezwonk has, along with Decay and Nightways been one of the most consistent street artists in Bristol this year. Interestingly the three of them have painted together quite often – I wonder if there is a little competitive thing going on here, or maybe they all just feel the same way about hitting walls regularly. Whatever the reason, the results are pretty much always great.

2635. M32 roundabout J3 (183)

Face 1st is really switching it up these days. His faces are becoming much more expressive and his writing more dynamic and I have to say it is all good from where I look at it. This is a really nice piece of writing with great colour selection and beautiful fills. The white outline could be a little tighter, but otherwise an outstanding piece.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

I bought a T-shirt from Face 1st last week – it is a lovely design that he advertised on Instagram. He is such a kind bloke and delivered it personally. I felt terribly rude not to have invited him and his son in, but I was working from home and in the middle of some difficult stuff. I would like to sit with him for longer and chew the fat and get to know what is inspiring his expanding repertoire. So much more to come from Face 1st, he has been quite busy lately.

2621. M32 roundabout J3 (181)

Meeting artists is pretty much always a real pleasure, and a couple of weeks back I got lucky when I met Warp for the first time while he was painting this piece. During the course of our conversation he explained that he has two street personas, Warp (his more commercial tag) and another name that he writes under. He explained that he had been somewhat forgetful and sprayed this Warp piece, when he had actualy intended to paint a different piece under his other name.

Warp, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019
Warp, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019

The writing here is seriously good. All the elements have been executed with care and precision. The fills in the letters, the deep 3D red fill, superb slim black lines outlining the letters and a clean yellow surround, all of it neat and crisp. I haven’t seen too many pieces by Warp, but those that I have seen are all of the highest quality. I hope to bump into him again sometime.

2612. M32 Cycle path (43)

Yet another fine PWA (Pirate Wall Art) production from Soap and Face 1st down under the M32 along the cycle path. I think that this is quite a good wet-weather spot, because there is a small overhang to protect the wall and artists from the rain.

Soap, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Soap, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

On the left is a ‘traditional’ soap face, with two mouths agape. Looked at onother way, the shape can be seen as a kind of skull, with the mouths forming the eyes or eye sockets – that’s what I see at least.

Face 1st, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Face 1st, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

On the right is a Face 1st ‘beauty’ in a rather unseemly situation, vomiting toxic looking stuff. Now I’ve noticed that in recent weeeks Face 1st has been animating his faces with things like this, to tell more of a story than simply creating a pretty thing to look at. His faces are beginning to convey sadness, frustration, disgust, nausea and so on. An interesting development and great to see.