I have a very busy day ahead today, so I only have time to do a really quick couple of posts. When I last met Mote a couple of weeks back, he was rediscovering his mojo, after a quiet period. These monsters in my favourite Moon Street are evidence of his newly rediscovered enthusiasm.
Mote, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2023
Mote has not only been painting with a high frequency, but he has also been visiting a few new spots too. I believe this is his first piece in Moon Street, and he has filled the space here with a nice cheeky quick one.
This is a cheeky little piece by Enn Kay, on a small ramp at the southern end of the Daveside DIY skate park. Somehow Enn Kay manages to create a really soft finish to some of his pieces, and I don’t know how he does it. Maybe it is the pastel colours or his shading skills.
Enn Kay, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
I have a feeling that the monster character was painted on a pre-existing abstract piece, although it is possible that Enn Kay painted the background as well, but it doesn’t really fit with his style. It is always good to see his monster pieces about the place. Barp!
An endearing bird monster thing painted by Mote on the hoarding behind Temple Meads Station. Mote is tireless and his imagination limitless, which is a good thing for those of us who like to find his work dotted around the City.
Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2023
This rather forlorn creature is nicely composed, and the soft tones work well together. I am guessing that this might have been here a while because it proceeds his wobbly monsters, which started appearing in February this year. Another one for the collection.
Some artists are so prolific, that the only way for me to keep up with them is to post several pieces at once, and so I present to you a series of column pieces under Brunel Way by monster specialist, Mote.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023
This first piece is one of his more recent productions, incorporating three wobbly-lined monsters, stacked like a totem pole. The wobbly lines are a recent introduction in his work introduced this year, which give him freedom to be a little bit more creative. I am still sitting on the fence about them, because his original USP was based on the clean lines and bold curves. These might take a little bit of getting used to.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023
It is difficult to date some of these pieces, because although I photographed them in February (some of them not for the first time), several have been around for quite a while. I think this one, which looks like a bit of a monster mash-up, is relatively recent.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023
This column piece, with the big eye and wonky teeth, has been around for quite a while, but is surprisingly intact, because these columns are a favourite with taggers.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023
Another one that might date from the back end of last year is this purple gentle and rather goofy giant. The poor thing doesn’t look in the greatest condition, and has a pot-belly not too dissimilar to my own.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023
Finally, this is a small piece at the southernmost end of this stretch of columns and is probably the oldest piece in this selection. It obviously pre-dates the new bit of wall that has been added as part of the Daveside DIY skate park extension. Phew… I hope you have had your fill of Mote for now.
Saor’s unannounced visits to Bristol usually culminate in a first class production, and this recent one in Dean Lane fits the pattern perfectly. The piece is exactly as you’d expect from Saor – beautifully thought out and designed and executed with extraordinary precision.
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
This piece spells out SAOR and incorporates the toothy monster face that the artist refined when painting under the name Flava136. This really is a first-rate work and incorporates so many nice little touches. I love the granite-effect patterned shapes, which really add an extra level to the piece.
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
While he was in the area, Saor also painted this mega-tag just around the corner. I love it when artists leave behind a few ‘extras’ when they visit.
It is nice to see a Mote piece by the River Avon, demonstrating that he really does get out and about to share his art with the citizens of Bristol. This monster piece follows a recent theme in his work of rather more organic characters with wobbly outlines, rather than the clean lines of his earlier works.
Mote, River Avon, Bristol, February 2023
I think that Mote’s work lends itself well to illustration, and I wonder if that would ever be a direction he might consider. This particular toothy monster isn’t his best, in my opinion, but is another part of his growing menagerie.
Another day and another monster character from Mote, although this one is a little different from his others. I am guessing that this is a representation of a jellyfish kind of creature, and the wobbly border line would probably confirm this.
Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023
Unusually, Mote has signed this piece and I can’t think of any other occasion when he has done this, so that comes as a bit of a surprise. If I am honest, I’m not sure that the wobbly line thing works too well, but it is great to see the artist experimenting and stretching himself. Another one for the menagerie.
Mote, River Avon, Bristol, May 2023Mote, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2023Mote, Peel Street Green, Bristol, April 2023Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, River Avon, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2023Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023Mote, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2022Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, Deccember 2022Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2022Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2022Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022Mote, Purdown, Bristol, September 2022Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022Mote, M32 cycle path, Bristol, July 2022Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022Mote, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2022Mote, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
A small, quick one from Mote at the end of the long wall under Brunel Way from Mote. Mote is an artist who designs and creates a new monster character every time he paints, which could make identification of his work troublesome, but his style and colour selections are so unique that no signature is needed on his work.
Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023
This cheeky little piece is sweet and simple, and was probably an ‘end of day’ bonus piece. Since first hitting the walls of Bristol in early spring of 2022, Mote has been tireless, come rain or shine, in his monster mania. Long may it last.
When designing and planning monster pieces, the only thing stopping you is lack of ideas (and talent, obvs). Well it seems that Mote’s imagination is firing on all cylinders, and his menagerie of curiosities continues to grow with this ‘all teeth and eyes’ monster at Greenbank.
Mote, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2022
I am not sure how much longer this long hoarding will remain, because the development behind it is moving at pace, and already about a quarter of the hoarding has come down. Mote has used the space well, and as usual the monster is filled to perfection with great solid colours, and a little bit of a fade in the purple section. Another day, another monster from the fabulous Mr Mote.
Natural adventures 