2607. M32 Cycle path (42)

I would hope that regular readers of Natural Adventures would recognise this sinister pair as being the work of Laic217, an artist who has appeared on these pages with great regularity and whose work just seems to get better and better.

Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

On the left we see a skeleton draped with themes and motifs that Laic217 has been using for some years now, such as a bucket hat with a rather animated smiley on the front, multiple sets of eyes behind the glasses, and a distorted, exaggerated mouth/jaw. This skeletal character, holding a spray can is being led to one side by… is it Satan himself?

Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

The satanic character brings colour to the piece and a little menace too. He seems to be directing the hand of the skeleton, clutching a spray can, perhaps forcing him to paint the wall. Is this in some way autobiographical? or something else altogether? This is an interesting composition once more beautifully painted by Laic217. Another keeper for the gallery.

 

 

2606. M32 roundabout J3 (180)

This is a beautiful and touching tribute piece by Bnie to her late grandfather – or so I understand. I love the way that street art can accommodate such public and overt ways of recognising one’s loved ones.

Bnie, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019
Bnie, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019

The piece itself is beautifully painted with soft tones of green and purple, and it has a sombre feel to it. Her mastery of fading the colours acoss the letters is really improving and the 3D fill is really interesting. I am drawn to the zebra stipe decoration at the top of the piece above the A – it is a halo I think – I know that Bnie has been favouring this pattern recently and it is great to see it here.

2602. M32 Cycle path (41)

Well, Nightwayss has smashed it again and shows his incredible versatility with these two magnificent skulls on the M32 cycle path. And the monkey/ape? I think one of these skulls belongs to one of our hairy cousins, but I am not too sure which (the ape that is, not the skull).

Nightwayss, M32 Cycle Path, Bristol, November 2019
Nightwayss, M32 Cycle Path, Bristol, November 2019

The colours of theses pictures may vary a little and that is due to the purchase of a new computer and use of a new photo editor which I am just getting used to. I’m sure things will settle down soon. So good to see this creative and beautifully executed piece by Nightwayss, especially as it is right next to some more skulls from Laic217 during a session painting together.

2582. M32 Cycle path (40)

What a magnificent chrome beast this is on the M32 cycle path by Slakarts. The light coloured accents on the nose and cheeks and on the eyebrows and hair help to bring much more depth to the piece.

Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

This is probably my favourite Slakarts piece thus far, and it is typical of his stylised faces, and that it is cut off at the top and bottom matters not. I am pretty certain that I have more of his work slopping around somewhere in my archives, so I will try to dig it out. Nice piece.

2574. M32 Cycle path (39)

When I first started posting street art on Natural Adventures about five years ago I thought that it might be dominated with 45RPM and RichT pieces, because at that time I would come across them all over the city. I don’t know if, as my interest has increased their activity has waned, or whether there is some other explanation, but I just don’t get to see enough from these artists.

RichT, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2019
RichT, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2019

I was watching RichT as he was prepping the brown letters for this piece, but because I didn’t know him, I thought I’d let him just carry on without disturbing him. I think the letters say LUIS, but I can’t be certain, but the star of the piece is the schoolboy cartoon face, done in the great style of Beano, Dandy or Beezer comics – I just love it.

I regret not introducing myself to RichT and 45RPM while they were painting this wall together, but I’m sure there will be another time.

2573. M32 Cycle path (38)

Down on the M32 cycle path is thisrather nice quick one from Hypo that rather cleverly brings about some symmetry to his letters HYPO. I suggest that this is a quick one because although creative and imaginative, it is not perhaps as clean and crisp as it might be. This might sound like harsh criticism, but it is not, it is an observation only. Added to that, even pieces with a few ragged edges are hugely difficult to do and I always doff my cap in the direction of these artists.

Hypo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2019
Hypo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2019

Hypo, although not a regular on Natural Adventures does appear once in a while and as far as I can make out is one of the more established Bristol artists. I’m reasonably pleased with these pictures because with the overhang, the top half of pieces painted here are often in shade and I seem to have overcome that on this occasion. More nice work from Hypo.

2571. M32 roundabout J3 (179)

More great graffiti writing from Smak on the south side of the M32 roundabout on a stretch of wall he has painted many times. As one would expect his letters are beautifully designed and presented and the colour patterning really cleverly used in each one.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2019

Smak really sets the bar for this style of writing in Bristol and rarely drops below this exceptionally high standard. It is the care and attention to detail that raises the quality of the piece, for example the darker colours on the background are carefully worked and in synchrony with the letters where he could have just presented the whole thing on a dark plain background. Lovely piece.

2570. M32 Cycle path 37

Ahh! Lobe with another exceptional, bold, stylised, portrait, this time of an unshaven man with spectacles and woolly hat. I have only seen a few of her pieces, but every single one of them has brought a smile and I get a real sense of excitement each time l find a new one.

Lobe, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Lobe, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

It is funny how different graffiti spots in Bristol can undergo peaks and troughs in terms of turnover. The cycle path has been quite dead for a while and then suddenly over the last couple of weeks it has kind of got busy again, this being one of several recent pieces. It just shows that constantly patrolling each of these favoured graffiti spots is utterly worth it.

 

 

2568. M32 roundabout J3 (178)

It took me three visits to this wall to be able to get some decent photographs of the fine collaboration from Laic217, Ugar and Cory. The solution to my photography problems was to visit the spot on an overcast day. On Autumn sunny days, there is a high risk of shadows from the trees and shrubs being cast across the wall.

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019

Laic217 has once again excelled with this fabulous skeleton with a boogie box over his shoulder, a common motif for his pieces. He has once again shown his mastery of painting materials and fabrics with the skeleton’s jacket. Lovely work.

Ugar, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Ugar, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019beautifully filled piece of graffiti writing.

Ugar, who pretty much always paints his name, even though I have seen a couple of character pieces some time ago, has given us characteristically brilliantly filled letters, something that he excels at.

Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019

The third piece in this collaboration is by Cort and rather like Ugar’s piece is creatively and imaginatively filled and decorated. His letters though are a bit of a moveable feast and in this instance he has spelled out CORTOS.

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019

From my perspective the Laic217 piece wins the day, it is simply so good and the artist just gets stronger and stronger.

2566. M32 roundabout J3 (177)

Ah, this is Mr Draws at his happy creative best. His wonderfully recognisable lettering filled with bright and imaginative colours and spme rather nice spotty patterning. Along the bottom of the writing we have some melty drips. All very neat and tidy.

Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Mr Draws, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019

This is unquestionably a feel good piece and with the blue skies behind it reminds us that not every day is dreary and wet, even if it feels like it sometimes. The shadow effect to the bottom and left of the letters is particularly notable. Do you know what, I think Mr Draws is moving up a gear.