Portrait – Page 20 – Natural adventures

5462. Greenbank (93)

Occasionally, the Resting Bitch Face crew (RBF), an all-female group of painters is joined by a male, which is what happened here when Jody joined in with the Barbie paint jam at Greenbank a few weeks ago. His inclusion definitely fitted in well with all the other pieces, and he embraced the theme with gusto.

This is a beautifully crafted and mischievous take on Barbie, providing a little bit of body art and a nose ring to give this graffiti Barbie a bit of an edge over her more conventional selves. Jody has painted a photorealistic portrait of the doll, and managed to convey the plastic toy qualities of her skin and makeup, large eyes and fake hair.

I absolutely love this portrait piece, but in loving it, it is important not to overlook the technical skill and versatility of an artist at the top of his game.

5457. River Avon (50)

I met Fink briefly at the Cheltenham Paint Festival recently, and he was good enough to stop for a quick chat. I mentioned to him that I had seen some of his work in Bristol from quite a while back and had been following his work on Instagram for a while. It turns out he lives now in Dubai and makes his living from his art commissions, which is pretty amazing. It seems that on his trip to the UK he dropped in to Bristol for a quick stop and painted this magnificent piece not far away from the back of Temple Meads station.

Fink’s abstract portrait pieces are special, drawn with a continuous line, a bit like sketching a face on paper in one go without lifting the pen. The golden face is made up of smaller faces painted in the same way, that give the whole piece texture and interest. This is a very fine piece from a visiting artist, who has some history with Bristol.

5453. Queen’s Road (3)

Willl Crosss, Queen's Road, Bristol, August 2023 — Willl Crosss, Queen’s Road, Bristol, August 2023

This is the third piece I have posted from the 650 years of Bristol celebration pant jam, and it is by the magnificent artist Willl Cross. For most of the artists, there was a major challenge in switching their spray cans for brushes, not so for Willl Cross who uses brushes for all his street art pieces, and is more familiar with studio art work.

Willl Cross tends to use a crossover method which incorporates modern scenes painted in a romantic style, and often his subject is wearing traditional Bulgarian costume. This outstanding piece presents a stunning view which many Bristolians will be familiar with, showing the Avon Gorge and Clifton suspension bridge viewed from the Downs. The woman in the portrait, with her eyes closed, appears to be enjoying the moment and is gently holding a wildflower.

There is more mystery to the piece though, with some menacing winged beasts or demons floating around the woman’s head. I would like to believe that the demons are being expelled by the peace of the moment.

The patterns on the dress are wonderfully painted, and the dramatic skies overhead indicate turmoil. I would so much love to speak with Willl Cross to understand more about the painting.

We are privileged in Bristol to have free access to stunning artwork like this for citizens and visitors to enjoy. Next time you are passing, stop for a moment and drink in this awesome painting.

5448. St Werburghs tunnel (378)

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

Mudra, Kosc and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023

Kosc, Norrisville Road, Bristol, May 2023

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023

Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022

Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2022

Kosc, Brigstocke Road, Bristol, March 2022

Mudra and Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022

Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022

Kosc, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2021

Kosc, Gloucester Road, Bristol, July 2021

Kosc, Smak and Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021

Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021

Kosc, John Street, Bristol, September 2020

Kosc, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2020

5378. M32 roundabout J3 (495)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	paulh121 on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on Champions
	beth on Champions
	paulh121 on 7658. Tobacco Factory –…

	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	paulh121 on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on Champions
	beth on Champions
	paulh121 on 7658. Tobacco Factory –…

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