Magnolia

 

The fattening buds

filled with the promise of Spring;

not much longer now.

 

by Scooj

Lucky charm

 

One…two…five…seven…

nine goldfinches together

in our silver birch.

 

by Scooj

1233. Upfest 2017 (117)

Dzia was a featured artists at Upfest 2017 and as such he was afforded this magnificent wall at the climbing centre. Dzia was among a very strong Belgian contingent at the festival who really livened things up with their creativity and skill.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I didn’t manage to get to this site during the festival itself, and returned some time later when I was in the area to take these shots. The squirrel is absolutely magnificent, although possibly dwarfed a little by the size of the white wall.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Once you zoom in close though you get a real feel for this extraordinary piece from Dzia. His style is unmistakable, and his subject matter pretty much always from the natural world. He is a great advocate for wildlife street art.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I am constantly amazed at how the mish mash of lines and colours, which on their own seem directionless, come together to produce a perfect whole. Dzia is a hugely accomplished artist and it was a real treat to have him here in Bristol for Upfest.

Easy to forget

 

Exquisite beauty

I see it all around me;

a wonderful world.

 

by Scooj

1217. Stucley Place, London (1)

Not too far away from Camden Town tube station and in the direction of Camden Lock Market is an absolute jewel of a street – Stucley Place. There are a few walls here that have some lovely work, and this is the first of three posts from my visit to Camden Town in November.

Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017
Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017

Gnasher (David Nash) is an extraordinary artist who seems to be able to produce amazing photorealistic pieces with consummate ease. Last July I posted a work he produced in Leake Street tunnel featuring Guardians of the Galaxy characters. In this piece he has produced a stunning portrait of a chimpanzee that conveys a sadness and wisdom that seems to be nature’s lot in today’s world.

Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017
Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017

It is a difficult piece to photograph because of the glare, but even with these slightly dodgy pictures it is possible to see what a truly classy piece this is. So definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area.

1176. Upfest 2016 (156)

Rewinding a little bit back to Upfest 2016 and a series of five more pieces that never quite made it into the blog…because Upfest 2017 happened! This is a lovely piece that was on the hoardings in North Street. It took me a long time to find out who the artist is, but it turns out that it is Pronk-Stukken who also produced this piece at the same event.

Pronk Stukken, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Pronk Stukken, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This piece has a strong connection with Mother Earth or nature in my view, and there is a calm serenity in the face. Curiously, this was one of my favourite pieces from the 2106 festival and remains embedded in my memory.

1174. Cottrell Road (2)

Zase and Dekor are the masters of large high-impact walls in Bristol, and most of the pieces that they do, go up and stay up. In this particular case they have replaced a piece that they sprayed here a few years ago, because the wall needed to be re-rendered.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

The wall is a local landmark which has a vast audience because it is just off the M32 and outside a large retail park and the Eastville Tesco. Thousands of people will drive past it every day and I’m sure will be captivated by the unfolding story.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

The central theme of the piece revolves around some local wildlife, a squirrel, a robin, a fox, a hedgehog and a badger, set in a rather stark woodland. Hovering above is a fabulous 3D wildstyle ZASE, a feature common to all their collaborations.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

There is a wonderful touch in this work, a reference to the piece that existed here before – a lady riding on the back of a turtle with a colander on her head – she is in the bottle. On reflection, I wonder if it is not a lady, but a gentleman…I can’t be sure now.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

This is a mighty and detailed piece that sits so comfortably in this location – I am certain that it will remain here for many years cheering up shoppers and commuters and bringing a smile to their faces. Xase and Dekor doing Bristol proud.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

1152. Upfest 2017 (104)

I was very taken by Rocket01’s piece at leat year’s Upfest, and equally so by this magnificent overture to wildlife and conservation. I love the green backwash that he uses for his work and the synthesis of nature with technology and futuristic scenarios.

Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

There is something solemn and touching in his work let alone the fine artistry in his execution. I missed talking with him this year, I think he just wasn’t there when I was passing each time. Another really strong piece racked up for this year’s festival.

Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1129. SoHo, New York (2)

Walking with my family on the obligatory clothes shopping trip in SoHo, we came across this magnificent tiger by Sonny. It is difficult to convey just how spectacular this piece is. Furthermore the piece is actually raising awareness for the global campaign ‘Project Cat‘ which aims to protect wild tigers and their habitat.

Sonny, SoHo, New York, October 2017
Sonny, SoHo, New York, October 2017

Looking at his website, it seems that Sonny is a specialist in painting large wildlife pieces, and has a special talent for this. I love the way he incorporates patterns into the face of the tiger and how cleverly the colours dribble down from the face to create a pool of blue and yellow.

Sonny, SoHo, New York, October 2017
Sonny, SoHo, New York, October 2017

This is a spectacular piece.

M4

.

Red kites above

great conservation story;

no more DDT. 

.

by Scooj