This is a lovely piece from Nightwayss sprayed as part of a paint jam, which, on reflection, I perhaps ought to have posted as a bundle or collaborative wall, but I didn’t, so there.
Nightwayss, Catherine Mead Street, Bristol, November 2021
In recent months Nightwayss has been experimenting with these fragmented pieces, playing with portraits, light shapes and disassociation. The overall effect is a contemporary take on street art and really brings out the fine artist in Nightwayss. Alas, there are no monkeys in this piece, but it is nonetheless a really interesting and challenging piece of art.
I cannot help but absolutely love this recent portrait piece from Pekoe, for lots of reasons. Of course, I am a big fan of her work in any case, but the wonderfully stylish haircut absolutely does it for me, and it is a major departure for Pekoe whose portraits normally have big and sometimes disorganised hairstyles.
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2021
Pekoe has been doing a lot of full front or three-quarter face portraits, and the difference here is that she has gone for a profile, and I think it works really well. I like it all – the grey face and pink cheek, the blue hair and lips and the yellow border. This one is definitely a keeper.
This wonderful portrait piece by Rosalita (Rozalita) is part of a collaborative effort with Conrico. Unfortunately, by the time I got to see it, Conrico’s contribution had been overpainted with a rather substandard throw up. Luckily, though, Rosalita’s piece was left intact.
Rosalita, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2021
This is a Halloween piece, or more accurately a Dia de Los Muertos portrait, with a representation of a Mammacita (Conrico’s word, not mine). The decorated face with stitched lips is a familiar sight these days, as these Day of the Dead festivals become more internationalised. The roses in the hair round the portrait off nicely. Rosalita just keeps on turning out these amazing portraits.
We have been so spoiled this year with the Upfest 75 walls in 75 days event, and in particular with some extraordinary pieces by Irony. This is the second Irony piece from the event, and is an absolutely extraordinary portrait.
Irony, West Street, Bristol, October 2021, Upfest 21
Irony is known for his female portraits that it is difficult to keep your eyes off. The photorealistic detail and depth is beyond astonishing, and puts this artist right up into the world top league alongside other artists like Bubblegum in Barcelona.
Irony, West Street, Bristol, October 2021, Upfest 21
Looking deep into those eyes, it is impossible to know what the girl is thinking, and as with many of his portraits, her emotions are not easy to read, inert almost, and yet she is wonderfully animated. I think the blue hair is a touch of genius that works so well with this wall and this spot.
Irony, West Street, Bristol, October 2021, Upfest 21
I made several attempts at photographing this wall, but it is not easy as the immediate front yard has become a bit of a building site and there are two rather unhelpful black wheely bins that are totally in the way most of the time.
In my view, this is one of the best pieces to appear in Bristol in 2021.
I am a little annoyed with myself, because I was actually very close to Pekoe while she was painting this piece, but was having a long conversation with Tack Jucker at the time. When, finally, I walked under the bridge to see who was painting, I saw that it was Pekoe, but she had gone, and I missed her by minutes. Such a pity as it is a while since I last spoke with her.
Pekoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2021
Notwithstanding my irritation, the piece she painted is a good ‘un. A classic Pekoe portrait in a vibrant red with decorated big white hair. The tears are there, which always makes me a little sad, because it projects a sadness in the character, and maybe in the artist too. Great to see another piece from this prolific Bristol portrait painter.
This is a very appealing colour selection for this fiery Pekoe piece on the M32 roundabout. Another interesting feature is that Pekoe has given us more than just a portrait, which is the norm with her work, and we have the top halfI of the character.
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2021
I think that this might be an early Halloween piece, or it is simply a cheeky devil, either way it is nice to see, and I love the little winged orange emoji-type thing. Brace yourself for a season of Halloween pieces, which seem to be getting more and more popular every year.
Pekoe has had a little bit of a quiet period, after a year in which she has created so many of her fabulous portraits. The pause is over, and she is hitting walls once again with customary frequency.
Pekoe, Purdown Battery, Bristol, October 2021
This quick one up at Purdown Battery is eye-catching in its lovely white and purple colour scheme. The reference ‘I love you to the moon and back’ links to a children’s bedtime book called ‘Guess how much I love you’ by Sam Mc Bratney and illustrated by Anita Jerram. This was one of my daughter’s favourite books, and mine too, come to think about it. A lovely piece with some lovely sentiments.
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! It has been such a long time since I have seen a street piece from Kid Crayon, although he has been doing a lot of studio and digital work over the last few months, it is refreshing to see something big and bold. In this collaboration, Kid Crayon has teamed up with Nightwayss, who conversely doesn’t seem to have stopped hitting walls this year, he is a machine.
Kid Crayon, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2021
To the left of this ‘Finger Trap’ piece, Kid Crayon has painted a brilliant character (is it a self-portrait?) poking his finger into the trap while tipping his red baseball cap. The character is brilliant and so uniquely Kid Crayon.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2021
To the right and making up the other half of the collaboration, joined with the central trap, is an unusual piece by Nightwayss. I love this recent experimental style from Nightwayss that seems to be exploring the fragmentation and interruption of a portrait and other elements, such as a parrot in this case. The fine artist in Nightwayss is coming to the fore in exploring new ideas and forms. Pity about the tag, but hey, you snooze, you lose!
Kosc really is an extraordinary talent, especially as, under a different name, he is a graffiti writer with an utterly different style. Pieces like this are serious business for Kosc who is fine-tuning his skills for these photorealistic portraits and writing.
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Picton Lane is a wonderful Bristol backstreet in Montpelier that plays host to some classic pieces, of which this is one. I remember seeing it as a work in progress a long time ago, but didn’t get back until quite recently to enjoy it as a finished piece. I am full of admiration for the piece. It is so good, and I am not sure that I would be doing it justice by waffling on like I usually do, and I am doing right now.
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
Kosc has reached a new level this year, and it is difficult to know how much higher he can take it. I wonder whether he should do a street art festival circuit to get better known outside Bristol, but that takes a lot of commitment. This black and white face is just awesome.
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, August 2021
The tiniest tinge of colour is provided by the magpie’s tail, but it is enough to lift the whole piece just that little bit more. It is Kosc’s attention to detail that makes this piece sing. An absolute beauty.
I have had these pictures lurking in my archive for a little while, and at last find a moment to bring them to you. The column piece (they can be a real pain in the backside to photograph) is by Mudra, and is characteristically rather fun.
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra has painted all the way around the column and on one half is a portrait of a white-haired gentleman compete with moustache (of course) and a little speech bubble with Mudra’s @ signature.
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
On the other half of the column is a hand holding what looks like a match or a candle, but it might be something altogether different. Mudra has a very strong, chunky style which hits you hard and is difficult to ignore. Head-turning stuff.
Natural adventures 