Tag: Portrait

5448. St Werburghs tunnel (378)

Hiccup, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
Hiccup, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

I was really struck by this piece in the tunnel recently and at first I thought it might have been by Rozalita, but on closer inspection it clearly wasn’t, and the name BLEOM was also a bit of a clue. The piece is by Bloem, who is also Hiccup, and because I have posted her pieces under the latter name, I shall be consistent and continue to do so.

Hiccup, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
Hiccup, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

The portrait piece, featuring a jester, is really neat and tidy and carries an element of treat in the form of a barbed wire circle around the head. All elements of thee piece come together well, in particular the ruff, and the jester’s expression. The letters are also very sharp and well painted. This is a classy piece from an artist relatively new to the Bristol scene, and I look forward to seeing and writing about more of her work (coming sooner than you might think).

5446. Queen’s Road (2)

Jody, Queen's Road, Bristol, August 2023
Jody, Queen’s Road, Bristol, August 2023

It is very special to see a Jody piece that has been painted on the street without spray cans, but rather with brushes… it doesn’t happen often, but what a magnificent result. This gorgeous portrait piece has been painted as part of the 650-year celebrations of Bristol and an event curated by Upfest in partnership with Bristol BID.

Jody, Queen's Road, Bristol, August 2023
Jody, Queen’s Road, Bristol, August 2023

Jody has gone full on renaissance style with this portrait, and in doing so was following the brief. In his own way, he has created something very special, although slightly incongruous being next door to the dreadful Weatherspoons pub. The lady’s hair and hair decoration are eclipsed only by the outstanding detail of her face.

Jody, Queen's Road, Bristol, August 2023
Jody, Queen’s Road, Bristol, August 2023

This piece is an antidote to all the horrors of our very own crisis in Britain and demonstrates that there are good and beautiful things in our lives. An ancient beauty for our modern times.

5428. M32 roundabout J3 (502)

Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023

There is never a time when I am not thrilled to find a Pekoe piece. She belongs to a small handful of artists who define the Bristol scene and ones that I always keep a special eye out for. This modest piece on the M32 roundabout marks a return to her portraits, which have been playing second fiddle to here writing recently.

Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023

This pink faced girl with green hair is in three-quarter profile and is glancing out of the side of her eyes, giving her a slightly irritated or angry look. With great lips and the signature tears, this small piece reminds us what a great artist Pekoe is. It is amazing that she has found the time to paint this piece, given her bust summer festival itinerary.

Kosc

A gallery of outstanding graffiti writing and portrait pieces by Bristol artist Kosc.

Crew: NTS

Instagram: @_kosc_

All photographs by Scooj

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Mudra, Kosc and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra, Kosc and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Kosc, Norrisville Road, Bristol, May 2023
Kosc, Norrisville Road, Bristol, May 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Kosc, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Kosc, Brigstocke Road, Bristol, March 2022
Kosc, Brigstocke Road, Bristol, March 2022
Kosc, Brigstocke Road, Bristol, March 2022
Kosc, Brigstocke Road, Bristol, March 2022
Mudra and Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Mudra and Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Kosc, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2021
Kosc, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Mews, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Picton Mews, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc, Gloucester Road, Bristol, July 2021
Kosc, Gloucester Road, Bristol, July 2021
Kosc, Smak and Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Kosc, Smak and Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Kosc, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Kosc, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Kosc, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2020
Kosc, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2020
Kosc, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2019
Kosc, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2019

5378. M32 roundabout J3 (495)

Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023

Oh! how I have missed Tasha Bee’s work in recent years! She has had a long lay-off while concentrating on her Pot Heads pottery business. At last she has found a moment to paint one of her extraordinary portraits and there is no question that she hasn’t lost her touch in the slightest, carrying on exactly where she left off.

Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023

I hope that this isn’t a one-off and represents a return to Bristol’s walls, because she has been sorely missed. The subject of the portrait has a serene expression, a trademark of Tasha Bee’s work, and has flowers in her hair. Perfectly executed and modestly hidden away behind a bush, this piece is a thing of beauty. Bravo!

5354. M32 roundabout J3 (490)

Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023
Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023

This is an absolute classic from Mind 49, who has done a lot of maturing lately, and has absolutely nailed it with this piece on the roundabout straddling the M32. Mind 49 has produced something really special here with the letters MIND forming a backdrop to a really unusual portrait.

Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023
Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023

I don’t know who the portrait is of, but it looks like a Middle Eastern character popping a cigarette into his mouth. The photorealistic portrait is full of richness and interest, and totally not what you might expect to see in this spot.

Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023
Mind 49, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2023

Unfortunately, when I last saw the piece, some muppet had dogged the face of the gentleman, which is simply so difficult to understand. Let’s hope it doesn’t put off Mind 49 from returning to Bristol.

5342. Cumberland Basin

Mind 49, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023
Mind 49, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023

Formerly painting under the name Mind Control, Mind 49 (his current moniker) appears to have matured and mellowed a little. His raw talent used to focus on passionate causes, such as animal rights, however recently, he has brought some other themes and elements into his portfolio which is seeing him grow as an artist.

Mind 49, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023
Mind 49, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023

This portrait piece on the long wall at Cumberland Basin features a singer, with baseball cap and brilliantly painted glasses. As if to prove that he is not a one-trick pony, Mind 49 has sprayed a little bubble throw up to the left of the piece with the number ’49’. Since painting this great piece, Mind 49 has returned to Bristol with another superb work – to come.

5317. Upfest 2022 (75)

Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022
Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022

As with any street art festival, there will always be a ‘wow factor’ and one of the artists who brought this to Upfest was Giulio Rosk with this magnificent writing and portrait combination piece just off North Street.

Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022
Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022

What is great about festivals is that there is a good chance that you will get to meet and chat with thee artists, when they have a little downtime. I managed to grab a few minutes with the artist and his agent/friend, and discovered that as soon as Giulio Rosk finished this piece they were jetting off to Italy for another festival, so we were lucky to have them here in Bristol.

Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022
Giulio Rosk, Upfest 22, Bristol, Upfest 2022

The piece is a clever one where the subject – I think it is a self-portrait – is penning the name ROSK as if on a pane of glass. The photorealistic artwork is exceptional and the whole thing, one of the highlights of Upfest. Unlike the temporary boards, this piece is still there for all to see, and is likely to remain until Upfest 2024 next year.

5315. Upfest 2022 (73)

Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

Jack Lack is an artist who is based in Stuttgart, and was one of the international artists who made the trip over to Bristol to paint at Upfest 22. This portrait piece is a beauty and requires a little bit of time to pause and take it all in.

Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

The blurred background is a great technique that helps to bring focus to certain aspects of the piece, which also gives the viewer a bit of a challenge in ‘filling in the gaps’ that are not crystal clear. The bird on the subject’s shoulder looks like a bee eater of some kind to me, and once again the blurring, in a curious way, draws attention to the bird. Does the baseball cap belong to the bird, or is it blowing about in the distance?

Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Jack Lack, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

This is a fine piece from Jack Lack, who I don’t recall seeing at Upfest before. I would be more than happy to see him return some time in the future though.

5297. St John’s Lane (2)

Shade One, St John's Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Shade One, St John’s Lane, Bristol, June 2023

This is the second piece I am posting from an outstanding collaborative ‘wall’ on a new hoarding in St John’s Lane. This breathtaking portrait piece is by Shade One and is significant in so much as it demonstrates so clearly how over the last couple of years he has developed his style from high-end cartoon portraits to a photorealistic style.

Shade One, St John's Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Shade One, St John’s Lane, Bristol, June 2023

The sunglasses woman is painted in greyscale, which works really well when set against the colourful cosmic, cloudy background. When working in greyscale, particular attention has to be paid to light and shade, and Shade One has done this well, particularly in the folds of the fabric of the woman’s top. This is one of several outstanding pieces painted during a high-class paint jam a short while ago.