Tag: RAW

4287. M32 Spot (135)

Ryder seems to like this particular spot as much as I do, or at least it would appear to be that way given that he paints it reasonably often. This piece is a classic piece of Ryder wildstyle graffiti writing, which is always of the highest order.

Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2022
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2022

The most striking thing about this piece is the copper colouring of the letters that seems to change completely in tone, depending on where it is viewed from. This is the kind of piece that one could easily imagine being slapped on the side of a wagon on the New York subway. Classic, clean and tidy. Pure graffiti writing at its best.

4206. Dean Lane skate park (456)

Smak is without question one of the best writers in Bristol, and just in case you need reminding, here is an updated gallery of his work. His letters have an ephemeral quality that almost look like they have been dusted onto the wall, such is the skill and quality of Smak’s workmanship.

Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2022
Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2022

The colour selection is typically brilliant and clicks perfectly. On his Instagram feed, Smack describes this piece as a ‘scrappy one’ which perhaps gives you some idea of the high standards he sets for himself. To my way of thinking, there is nothing scrappy about this at all.

4175. Peel Street Green (3)

There are about eight panels of graffiti writing at Peel Street Green, and I have to confess that there are several by artists that I don’t recognise, which only goes to show that there is a great deal For me still to learn. No mistaking this lovely piece of writing, which is by Smak.

Smak, Peel Street Green, Bristol, January 2022
Smak, Peel Street Green, Bristol, January 2022

The colour palette works really well, and Smak does have a really good eye for his colour combinations. Spelling SMAK, there is a whole lot of movement in the piece, which is dynamic and full of interest. Swapping the base blue and orange from letter to letter is cleverly done, resulting in a complex piece that is easy on the eye. The work of a craftsman.

4103. City Road (12)

This magnificent beast was created by Ryder as part of a magnificent paint jam marking the opening of Stoked Food in Stokes Croft. The whole delivery and car parking Bay Area was decorated by several local artists, but this shutter skull was the centrepiece.

Ryder, City Road, Bristol, October 2021
Ryder, City Road, Bristol, October 2021

Ryder is better known for his outstanding writing, but this is a great character piece, and extra clever as the mouth opens up when the garage door is raised. Very nicely painted and full of cartoon ‘over-the-top’ character, this piece demands to be looked at and enjoyed by passers by on City Road.

4086. M32 Spot (126)

You know that thing where you hear a word for the first time, and then start hearing it again and again, and realise that you have been blind to that word for no explicable reason? Well it is a bit like that with me and Dopes. I met the artist a couple of months ago, and although I have seen and probably photographed his work in the past, I just didn’t post any of it. After meeting him, I am seeing his work everywhere, and it is really good. This is a nice little burner recently painted in the M32 Spot.

Dopes, M32 Spot,Bristol November 2021
Dopes, M32 Spot,Bristol November 2021

The colours are really nicely selected and work well, and he has fitted his letters to this awkward space really well. Super nice that this is a birthday piece for his son Jack. Great work.

4044. City Road (11)

Having only recently started to post pieces by Dopes, it was particularly gratifying to find this absolute beauty recently. Sprayed during a recent paint jam celebrating the opening of a relocated eatery, this piece really stood out, and ticks a lot of my boxes.

Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021
Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021

The multi-coloured, beautifully and skilfully patterned fills are truly exceptional, and the white spots and trims provide the depth and 3D look. Dopes’ letter shapes are all very nice too, particularly the elaborate D. This is a belter of a piece of graffiti writing from the RAW man.

3976. Dean Lane skate park (431)

Although I have photographed many pieces by Dopes over the years, I can’t recall ever posting any of them, which is a pity really, because he is a very skilled graffiti writer who has collaborated with other artists (largely from RAW) whose pieces have made it into Natural Adventures. Time to make amends.

Dopes, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2021
Dopes, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2021

While I was photographing this piece, Dopes was actually watching on, unbeknown to me, and eventually he self-disclosed that he was the artist and we struck up a conversation. He was fretting a bit over the colours and some of the detail and was wondering whether to come back and make some small adjustments. I love it that some writers are such perfectionists, for example Rusk is another, that they agonise over a piece even after they have finished it. The lettering in this chrome piece is nicely accompanied by the blue borders and gaps, and the pink dashes just set the piece off really well. More to come from Dopes, and a few forays into my archive are likely.

3763. M32 roundabout J3 (329)

Ooh, a very lovely piece from Ryder on the M32 roundabout, full of fun and movement. Part of a wider collaboration, but worth singling out because it is just too good to share the limelight.

Ryder, M32 roundbout, Bristol, June 2021
Ryder, M32 roundbout, Bristol, June 2021

What could be better than a RYDER riding on a skateboard – all in bright green and five cheeky little characters. If nothing else the piece is a memorable one that definitely stands out from the crowd. This is Ryder at his playful best.

3738. Brunel Way (109)

I think that the paint was probably still drying when I saw this lovely collaboration from Ryder and T-Rex under Brunel Way. And what a fun piece it is, with a taste of the Wild West about it. Ryder posted a little cartoon of it on his Instagram feed, which is great.

T-Rex, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021
T-Rex, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021

To the right of the piece we have a Tyrannosaurus rex 🦖 pulling a cart, so full of movement, and mischief. I expect that T-Rex could paint these characters in her sleep. I love the western touch of a red neckerchief round the dinosaur’s neck.

Ryder, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021
Ryder, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2021

Being pulled by the T-Rex is a RAW ‘band wagon’ with a Ryder googly-eyed letter R playing an instrument. What madness is this? The whole thing is a bit of a riot and the collaboration a memorable one. Great to see that both of them are able to get out and paint together.

3723. M32 roundabout J3 (324)

This gorgeous piece of graffiti writing from Ryder very nearly got left behind in the archives, however I am trying to go back and dig out such lost treasures which is a real challenge due to the sheer volume of street art being painted at the moment.

Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021

I haven’t seen too many Ryder pieces lately (until the day before yesterday, that is) but what he lacks in quantity he has more than made up for with quality. Spelling out RYDER, this is a classic piece of writing from the RAW man with five horizontal fills running through the letters and some rather nice black spot decorations. This is a really classy piece, and there is a little shout out to King Robbo which is rather nice.