Tag: Rosalita

4222. Boiling Wells Lane (2)

Here we have yet another spectacular carnival portrait piece from Rozalita in the smaller tunnel just beyond St Werburghs tunnel on Boiling Wells Lane. The character has a stunning and intricate ruff around his neck which looks amazing.

Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022
Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022

It was Rozalita herself who told me the whereabouts of this one when I met her a couple of weeks ago, and it was one of two that she painted on that day. One of the features I really like about the portrait piece is the leaves and vines decorating the clown’s blue face.

Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022
Rozalita (Rosalita), Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, January 2022

There is so much of interest in the piece from the ruff to the face to the hair. Even the  background is rather special. Rozalita is on fire and I am a big fan of her work. More to come soon.

4213. Devon Road (15)

I met Rozalita for the first time last week, painting down at the tunnel, and what a pleasure it was too. Of course I knew exactly who she was, which must have felt a bit creepy really, especially as I was able to talk to her about her work with some knowledge and authority. I sincerely hope she doesn’t think me a bit weird or peculiar, because I am just a regular guy who appreciates street art. Anyhow, Rozalita is absolutely smashing it out of the park at the moment, with at least four other recent pieces. I understand that she is upping her game with a view to gaining more paid work from her artistic talents, and with that she has my full support.

Rosalita (Rozalita), Devon Road, Bristol, January 2022
Rosalita (Rozalita), Devon Road, Bristol, January 2022

This clown piece is in Devon Road, which had had a few new pieces added recently, and definitely brightens the place up beautifully. Carnival and circus are themes that run deep in Rozalita’s  work and I always have a sense of tragedy in her characters, once you strip away the mask. I don’t know if that is Rozalita’s intention, but that is what I see. Look out for more from Rozalita here soon.

4109. Dean Lane skate park (444)

One of the most enjoyable thing about chronicling street art and graffiti is that every day has the potential to bring with it surprises. Those surprises are like gifts, presents from the artists to anyone who cares to enjoy their work. This lovely collaboration from Ros(z)alita and 3F fino was part of a larger collaboration that included Tao.create, but I am reserving her piece for a later date.

Rosalita and 3F Fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Rosalita and 3F fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

This is as special as it is unexpected, and although these two have collaborated before, I think that this is so nicely done and combines their styles and preferred subject matter really well.

Rosalita, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Rosalita, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

On the left is another carnival face from Rosalita (who now spells it Rozalita, hence the discrepancy in the body of this text), where the makeup this time is much more in the style of a Venetian masquerade mask. The frilled collar adds to the clown element of the piece. Beautiful.

3F Fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
3F fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

To the right, a slightly more edgy character by 3F fino is apparently spraying the clown. I often wonder with pieces like this whether they are self-portraits, or at least based on self. There are some nice elements to this cartoon-style character and his cans, and the clothes and face mask all add to the ensemble.

All in all a nice, large and vibrant collaboration from these two.

4033. M32 Cycle path (146)

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
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.

3920. Greenbank (14)

While the quality of this extraordinary portrait piece by Rosalita (who has changed her Instagram from Rosalita to Rozalita) is unquestionable, the woman’s face disturbs me a little. The exaggerated features have a clown-like quality, and clowns are scary at the best of times.

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021

Rosalita has associations with a travelling lifestyle and the circus or performance arts seems to have a profound impact on her paintings, most of which encompass a carnival theme. There are so many good things about the artwork in this piece, but it is the impact it has on me as a viewer that I value the most. I find it completely compelling.

3756. Boiling Wells Lane

Rosalita has really taken the bull by the horns with this piece. Painted at the end of the tunnel after the St Werburghs tunnel on brickwork that previously had only been tagged, or painted by TOYs. With this piece not only has she created a fine piece of art, but she has legitimised this wall as a serious opportunity for other street/graffiti artists.

Rosalita, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, June 2021
Rosalita, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, June 2021

The carnival/show theme is a thread that runs through Rosalita’s work and is evident once again here with the face of a clown or jester. Many if not most of Rosalita’s characters are tinged with sadness or tragedy… there is something about the look, the hiding behind makeup. What is amazing about this piece, is not simply the portrait, but the fabulous decoration work around it. Another jewel from Rosalita.

Rosalita

A gallery of sensational carnival pieces and other great work from Bristol street artist Rosalita.

All photographs by Scooj

Rosalita and 3F Fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Rosalita and 3F Fino, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

 

Rosalita, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Rosalita, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

 

Rosalita, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2021
Rosalita, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2021

 

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2021

 

Rosalita, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, June 2021
Rosalita, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, June 2021

 

Rosalita, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021
Rosalita, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021

 

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021

 

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2021

 

Rosalita, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2021

 

Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2021

 

Rosalita, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2021

 

Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021
Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021

 

Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021
Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021

 

Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021
Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021

 

Rosalita, M32 Spot, Bristol, December 2020
Rosalita, M32 Spot, Bristol, December 2020

 

Rosalita and 3F Fino, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Rosalita and 3F Fino, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020

 

Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020

 

Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020

 

Rosalita, St Mark's Avenue, Bristol, July 2020
Rosalita, St Mark’s Avenue, Bristol, July 2020

 

Rosalita, St Marks Avenue, Bristol, July 2020
Rosalita, St Marks Avenue, Bristol, July 2020

 

Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018

3635. Brunel Way (97)

And they just keep coming. Rosalita (Raw) has been smashing it all over Bristol during the last six months and if I am honest, I couldn’t be happier about it. There is something about her work that feels very honest, at times brutal but so very full of soul. The subjects and the rich colours she uses are quite unusual in the street art world and her work stands out because of it.

Rosalita, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021
Rosalita, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021

This piece, at the end of the Brunel Way concrete support depicts a lady carrying a heavy load, in fact a caravan, on her back, looking like a Sherpa Porter. Entitled “if this is my home, where do I go?” This is a powerful piece on the subject of right to roam. So good.

3618. Greenbank (6)

I knew all about this wonderful new collaboration from Rosalita’s Instagram feed, and because I recently (and at last) found the Greenbank wall, I rushed down to take some photographs. It was well worth the trip.

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021

The collaboration is from Rosalita and Antikki and they certainly decided to go big with this one. There is so much to love here. Rosalita’s clown face behind layers of theatrical make up that disguise the emotional disposition of the subject, as is so often the case with Rosalita’s work there is something sad or uncertain about the portrait. The hair, oh my goodness the hair. Antikki has done an extraordinary job of weaving her dancing figures into the hair, which if you don’t look properly you might miss. The whole portrait is set on a starry and atmospheric background. This is a masterclass in collaborative working where the two styles and cleverly fused into the one piece.

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021

Like many other people, I am so enjoying Rosalita’s strong presence on our streets, which has blossomed over the last six months or so and it is great to see Antikki joining her. I would love to see more collaborations from these two.

3609. Greenbank (5)

I knew that this piece by Rosalita existed, I just wasn’t quite sure where and when I finally discovered it on the Greenbank wall it was looking a little bit worse for wear. There is definitely a dark and tragic side to a lot of Rosalita’s work and this is something of a deathly portrait set on a backdrop of flowers.

Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2021
Rosalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2021

I don’t often cut-and-paste quotes into Natural Adventures, but Rosalita’s explanation of this piece on her Instagram feed gives us an insight into this portrait:

“🌺From my rotting body flowers will grow🌺
Emptying cans with a mishmash of colours.
Dreamt I visited my mother last night, in our old home, as if she had never departed. There was comfort in feeling her presence again. Buddhist believe in meditating on death and impermanence as the only certainty in life 🌱 The intention is that when we embrace the reality of death we are freed of its fear and are able to live our lives fully with an open heart 💓
It is shamanic work throughout all cultures. Themes of death are a form of meditation in my practice, the impermanence of murals is guaranteed and comes with the territory of graffiti/street art culture. In its own way is a reminder of how fragile life is, and through acceptance we can kiss the joy as it passes our way ☠️ nuff love !”

The piece is very similar to another one she painted at around the same time and which I posted here back in January 2021. Fabulous work, and I love the flowers.

Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021
Rosalita, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021