.
Sweet sibilant song
a robin busting a lung
pauses for replies
.
by Scooj
Tag: Nature
5770. Hatherly Road
It has taken me an eternity to stop and photograph this stunning nature mural by Carla James, something that has been on my ‘to do’ list for a couple of years at least. I managed to walk up to the spot just before Christmas whilst seeking out some presents for my family. I have only seen Carla James’ work once before, and that was at Upfest 21. Curiously enough, one of the presents that I bought for my son was a beautiful fish print by another Upfest artist, Rosie McLay.
Carla James has created a beautiful vision in which there is a seamless transition from a tropical reef below to forest foliage and airborne creatures. There is a calmness and huge sense of the balance of nature in the piece, with some lovely illustrations of turtles, fish, plants and butterflies. The central hummingbird is the link between this piece and her outstanding Upfest mural. Carla James’ website is a treasure trove, and her biography explains the connection with tropical and exotic scenes. At last, one I can tick off my list.
Charming
.
No small gathering
a tree-full of goldfinches
some two score or more
.
by Scooj
Attitude
.
Must do what we can
nature and climate crises
can do what we must
.
by Scooj
5618. Exeter
Although Exeter doesn’t have quite the same volume of street/graffiti art on offer as Bristol, nor as many spots/locations, it does have one or two resident artists whose work can be found, if you keep your eyes open. One of these artists is None Here.
If you fins a street or area with street art bin Graffiti, it is highly likely to have a piece by None Here somewhere. His work is pretty much always nature-based, often featuring birds. His style is very recognisable, looking like illustrations, and I am not convinced they are painted using spray cans, but more likely paint brushes with sprayed backgrounds. This door is typical of the work I saw on my recent trip. I would say that None Here is the beating heart of the Exeter street art scene.
Small
.
Belting out a song
disproportionately loud
E. rubecula
.
by Scooj
Cephalopod
.
Great intelligence
evolutionary star
World Octopus Day
.
by Scooj
A little bonus gallery of Octopus pieces to mark the day:
Shiny
.
The school boy in me
excited by these treasures
the smooth from the rough
.
by Scooj
- The name horse chestnut is a corruption of coarse chestnut, the same coarse we use for coarse fish, meaning rough. That little nugget is for free.
September II
.
Loitering unseen
an unnerving sense of threat
a predator waits
.
by Scooj
Common darter II
.
Bathing in the sun
an afternoon-stretched shadow
dragonfly pauses
.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 