Tag: No Frills

3358. Brunel Way bridge (79)

I will apologise up front for any profanities in this post or any others in the coming days featuring work by Turoe who appears to be on a mission to tell us what a terrible year it has been, and although we already know it, there is value in laying down these markers lest we forget.

Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is one of several pieces of writing that have appeared over the last fortnight or so all over Bristol, and each one of them nicely executed. At first there was a little confusion over who was behind them, but it didn’t take too long to work out that it was Turoe. There is some classy skill behind this piece and it is so obviously by an experienced hand – one might ordinarily associate the word ‘Shite’ to be associated with taggers or quick and dirty throw-ups, but not here, this is quality writing.

3325. M32 roundabout J3 (264)

It says Biers and that makes me happy. Biers went through a phase over the last 18 months or so of writing OhYeah, but reverted to Biers at some point during lockdown. His Instagram handle is Jimothy_Cool_Aid, but Biers will do.

Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020

This is a nice little piece tucked around the corner on the M32 roundabout and includes a little ghost for good measure. The piece has the heading high spirits, which is a word play on the ghost smoking a spliff. The letter shapes are great and the fills ‘to die for’. A nice modest one from Biers.

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.