Tag: No Frills

3296. Dean Lane skate park (363)

I haven’t seen a piece by Turoe for quite a while and I understand that his absence may be attributed to a recent illness. Whatever the cause of his absence he makes reference to it with the words ‘back from the dead’ at the bottom right hand side of the piece.

Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

Turoe has painted a reasonably uncomplicated piece although it has a real feel of a Slim Pickings TES piece, especially the two ovals at the start of the T and the fills drips and letter shading. Both artists belong to the No Frills crew so it is no surprise that their styles impact on one another. Welcome back Turoe.

3284. M32 Cycle path (84)

There is a thing at this time of year in the street/graffiti art world and that is to do a Halloween piece. I haven’t seen too many this year, although I have just been out to walk the dog and photographed a whole bunch more. This one is by Biers, who I am pleased to report is writing Biers again having spent the last year or two writing OhYeah.

Biers, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020
Biers, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020

This piece is a classic writing/character combination with a rather friendly looking grim reaper popping up to the right hand side of the writing. Biers has been reasonably dormant this year, so it is great to see him getting out and about.

3251. Brunel Way bridge (64)

As I see it, Slim Pickings (TES) creates his pieces in two forms; a high-end version of his letters with immaculate fills and clean lines and considered colour schemes and his throw-up versions that are a little bit more ‘street’ if you get my meaning. This one falls ever so slightly more into the second category.

Slim Pickings, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020
Slim Pickings, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020

I have to say that I am not too keen on the salmon pink colour and I think the ‘stitch’ lines on the edge of the letters make the piece a little untidy in my opinion. I ought to add that I might be overthinking this and being slightly picky. I always welcome Slim Pickings’ letters in whatever shape or form they come in.

3239. St Werburghs tunnel (195)

Yep, he’s back. This is just one of several new pieces by Slim Pickings (Tes) to appear over the last couple of weeks in Bristol. After a long quiet period, he has let loose again and there seem to be one or two adjustments to his ‘normal’ form of letters.

Slim Pickings, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2020
Slim Pickings, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2020

This one in the tunnel is slapped over another piece, almost like a sticker, in the fine tradition of throw ups, but this is a classy and beautifully finished type of throw up. Unfortunately the light in the tunnel kind of bleaches out any colours, so the piece looks a little bland. One of the variations that has crept in is the tightness in the curve of the S, an interesting development for those who study such things.

Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020
Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020

3141. M32 Cycle path (74)

It feels like an eternity since I last saw a Biers piece that actually spelled out ‘BIERS’ rather than ‘OhYeah’, and I have to say it makes me very happy. I remember the first piece I ever posted by Biers – it had a piece of toast in it, and shortly after that I met him on several occasions while he was painting and we struck it off really well – it has been a while since I last saw him though.

Biers, M32 cycle path, Bristol, August 2020
Biers, M32 cycle path, Bristol, August 2020

This is a regulation piece of Biers writing and all the more splendid for it. His irregular sized letters are expertly filled with black and red patterning. This is a most satisfying piece.

3058. Brunel Way bridge (48)

I think that this might be the first Slim Pickings (Tes) piece that I have posted since the easing of lock down restrictions, and what a nice one to be kicking off with. Some lovely colours and the customary care and attention that Slim Pickings always applies to his work.

Slim Pickings, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020
Slim Pickings, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020

The piece was part of a No Frills collaboration that was painted over the RBF Black Lives Matter collaboration before it, emphasising just how rapid the turnover here is right now. An aesthetically pleasing piece from a great writer.

3043. Brunel Way bridge (42)

I am still puzzled about how I have only recently (over the last year or so) noticed work by Turoe One. I know he has been around for a long while, but It is only in recent months that I can recall seeing his work just about every time I look up. I guess it is a bit like when you hear a new word that you have never heard before, and then, would you believe it, you hear it again and again and think how did I miss that?

Turoe One, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020
Turoe One, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020

A digression I know, but I wonder how many Turoe pieces I missed before he came onto my radar. This is a fine specimen and perfectly turned out. It would appear from the last few pieces that Turoe is going through a bit of a ‘green’ period at the moment, or maybe he simply over ordered on the green paints. I happen to rather like green pieces, so that is good.

3021. Dean Lane skate park (327)

One of the busiest artists this year, and it is a very competitive field, is without doubt Turoe (Turoe One), and one of his favourite spots to paint is this left hand end of the long wall at Dean Lane. It is funny how artists gravitate towards certain spots.

Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2020
Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2020

This one is a really fine piece of writing in shades of green, spelling out TUROH, the H is a new one on me, but works well. I am very fond of the colours Turoe has used for this and there is substantial mastery in many aspects, for example the two-tone outline. Another good piece from Turoe.

2998. Dean Lane skate park (324)

I have a feeling that this is the first piece from Turoe One post-lock down easing or at least if it isn’t then I have missed something. Situated in one of his favourite spots, at the left hand end of the first wall in Dean Lane, this is a striking and well executed piece.

Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020

Such is the turnover at Dean Lane at the moment that this didn’t last too long, and even some of the bigger pieces there are being over painted. This is what happens when you restrain artistic talent for months, there is a surge of activity. It is difficult for folk like me to keep up. This Turoe One burner is a high quality piece from an experienced hand.

2952. Dean Lane skate park (313)

Something a little different from Slim Pickings in May 2017 in which the artist is experimenting with a straight-line version of his ‘super tag’. The piece demonstrates the versatility of the artist, and is something of a rarity.

Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

I must confess however that I am not wholly convinced by the success of the experiment, and while it is nice to see something different I feel that Slim Pickings just hasn’t quite carried it off with the same panache that he manages with his more usual curvy variant.