Tag: Portrait

1618. Leonard Lane (17)

Regular readers will know I don’t like to post pieces unless I know the artist, but sometimes it simply isn’t possible. This really unusual piece in Leonard Lane is in a more traditional fine art style, but added to that it incorporates some leaves that have been sprayed with metallic paint which make up the subject’s headdress.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, January 2018
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, January 2018

When I see pieces like this, I guess that they are by artists wanting to give some outdoor work a go. Leonard Lane is probably the perfect place for this on account of it being a quiet backwater full of graffiti and very few ‘enforcers’. An interesting piece.

1586. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (12)

At the far end of the Tobacco Factory staff car park is this modest and ephemeral piece by Annika Pixie. It was painted during an annual weekend paint jam organised by Stephen Quick.

Annika Pixie, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Annika Pixie, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

This wispish and haunting portrait is very much in the style that is associated with Annika. There are two things I particularly like about thuis piece…the veil-like see through curtain that sits between the subject and the viewer, and the nicely arranged stencils that surround the whole piece.

1558. M32 roundabout J3 (86)

This is an old one by Laic217 from my archives, and I think it demonstrates really well the progress he has made over the last couple of years. This was a format that he used a lot back then, his letters and a character. Somehow it all looks a little more crude than his current work. Always great to see an artist develop.

Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016
Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016

The lettering is the word LAIC, somewhat broken up, and the character is that of a young woman with her hair tied up. It is a curious looking portrait, but there is something rather compelling about it.

Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016
Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016

I can’t think why I never published this at the time…maybe Laic217 was going through one of his productive periods and I couldn’t write about them quickly enough. Anyhow, great to post it now.

1539. Upfest 2017 (172)

Well, well, well, the gifts just keep coming. Regular readers will know that I have only recently discovered the wonderful art of Pekoe and I have featured her work a couple of times in the last month. It turns out that while I was going through another batch of pictures from my Upfest 2017 archive, I found this piece by an ‘unknown’ artist who I now know is Pekoe. I love it when this kind of thing happens.

Pekoe, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Pekoe, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Her Upfest piece was definitely one that caught the eye and is rather more polished than some of her street work – it is a festival after all. She sticks with the female portrait formula that appears to be her preferred subject matter. I am reliably informed by Gary, the art blogger that this wea actually a collaboration piece with Mr Sleven and DNT.

Pekoe, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Pekoe, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Pekoe is a talented Bristol-based artist whose work I am just getting to grips with and I certainly want to see a whole load more. Looking forward to it. Worth a quick peek at her Linked-in page too.

1533. Brunel Way bridge (7)

I love, love, love this collaboration piece by Face 1st and Tash Bee. Totally understated and beautifully sprayed on a concrete column under Brunel Way, this piece is tucked away and pretty much out of view. There is a serenity about the piece that works so very well, and the setting is just a perfect way to frame the piece.

Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018

I don’t know how long these two have been collaborating for, but there have been a spate of their joint pieces cropping up all over the place just recently. For me, this is the best yet. Their use of colour and form is similar, but each has a very distinctive look. The top section is by Face 1st and beneath it is a superb styalized portrait by Tash Bee. I have met neither of these artists, but it I keep looking, it is just a matter of time.

A happy find.

1525. M32 roundabout J3 (85)

I originally had this piece down as ‘unknown’ artist, but managed to find out a bit from the signature ‘Pekoe’, which at first I thought was an unrelated tag. Pekoe is a Bristol-based artist originally from Wolverhampton, who describes herself as a self-employed illustrator and painter. In her linked-in profile she reveals:

I regularly paint walls around Bristol, usually with fellow crew members, as well as doodle constantly to keep honing my skills. I’m influenced by a wide range of artists, whether graffiti or modern, and also take inspiration from the worlds of pin up, tattoos, sneakers and hiphop.

Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Pekoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

It seems strange that she has only just entered my consciousness, but having found this, I have since found another and realise that one of my ‘Upfest unknowns’ is by her…both to follow soon.

Her interisting illustrative style really stands out from the crowd of burners and character pieces and feels like a spray sketch. It reminds me in style a little of Ant Carver who uses similar squiggle shadings in his portraits. Really looking forward to seeing more of her work about the place.

1468. Upfest 2017 (167)

Some of the collaborations at Upfest 2017 were almost acidental or improvised. Others like this one were calculated and beautifully worked out. The artists, Carleen de Soza (left) and Dreph (right) painted portraits of each other, and in doing so switched colours for the skin tones and background.

Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I think both artists, who do a lot of portraits fgound it challenging being the subject of the artwork, but the final collaboration was outstanding and eye-catching.

Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The wall was a difficult one to photograph, because the light managed to shine down the back wall and bleached out the top of the frame. Also there were beams in the way, which didn’t quite fall centrally – probably not the best spot for a collaboration.

Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Carleen De Sozer and Dreph, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This piece was definitely one of the more memorable collaborations at the festival and I guess ther artists were relieved at having the partial cover to protect them from the rain showers.

 

1467. Upfest 2017 (166)

Annika Pixie has a lightness of touch that brings a spot of magic to her pieces. She is a fine artist and lovely warm person. For half the year she spends her time teaching in Thailand, and her Instagram feed is a constant stream of beaches and sunsets.

Annika Pixie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Annika Pixie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This piece for Upfest must have been completed early on the Saturday, because I never got to see her at work, which was a real pity – maybe this year.

1401. Upfest 2017 (158)

There was so much great street art at Upfest 2017, it has been difficult to try and post ass much as I possibly can. This is a lovely piece by Hide2 which was at the Ashton Gate site, and in common with my other posts from there, the piece is not quite complete in these photographs.

Hide2, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Hide2, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

On his visit for the festival, he left a nice ‘gift’ in Wilder Street which I wrote about back in August – it seems strange to now only be posting his official Upfest piece.

Hide2, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Hide2, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

His work here is absolutely brilliant, both the portrait and writing are sensational.

Hide2, Wilder Street, Bristol, August 2017
Hide2, Wilder Street, Bristol, August 2017

1397. Upfest 2017 (154)

Without question, watching Arladiss painting this piece was my most joyful experience at Upfest 2017. This was the second piece she worked on in South Street Park during the festival, and I was lucky enough to see her adding the final touches.

Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The charming portrait of a child appeared to be finished, but Arladiss had other plans. The youthful joy she brings to her paintings of children is complemented with a bit of child-like fun to bring about the final touches.

Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Arladis held a paintbrush loaded with paint and proceeded to splatter the piece with great gusto. Just watching her do this was an experience. She was so obviously enjoying applying this final touch and was beaming while she did it.

Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Her sense of fun rubbed off on the few spectators who gathered to see what she was up to and, for a moment we all reverted to a childish state. Her sense of fun is so infectious. I love the piece, and her other Upfest piece, and am thrilled to know that she will be returning for Upfest 2018.

Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Arladiss, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017