Tag: Skeleton

6119. Leonard Lane (47)

John D'oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024
John D’oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024

It is rather pleasing to be posting another stencil piece, there have been a rash of them lately, and especially one from John D’oh, who has been a little quiet over the last six months or so. This is one of a couple of pieces by the artist currently in Leonard Lane.

John D'oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024
John D’oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024

This philosophy, I am not sure if it is a quote (Update: it is a quote from the brilliant Chrisopher Walken) or a wisdom from John D’oh himself, is perhaps a message of our times and our collective obsession with consumption, upgrade and appearance. It reads:

“If you knew how quickly people forget the dead, you would stop living to impress people”.

I think that this is aimed at people with outer-directed values, a segment of our society that has ballooned since Thatcher came to power. The statement is accompanied by a skeleton character holding a spray can. Great work from John D’oh.

6114. M32 roundabout J3 (583)

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

This is an absolutely classic example of Laic217’s work. Technically and stylistically superb, the piece features two skeletons, one of which is DJing with a twin turntable and the other apparently having a great time.

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

The artistry in the greyscale piece is outstanding, with the story playing out really clearly. The decorative shapes bursting around the piece add a sense of movement and energy coming from the music, and the two gold touches, on the DJ’s hand and a tooth, are classy additions. I love the additional touch of LAIC217 appearing on the record label, rounding the whole thing off nicely. This is a truly fabulous and energetic piece from Laic217.

6023. Leonard Lane (45)

Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2024
Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2024

The work of Alex Arnell, in my mind, verges on the grotesque… not his artwork, I hasten to add, but his subject material. Although he operates out of Brick Lane in London, he appears to have visited Bristol on a couple of occasions, and has left behind a gallery of characters in Leonard Lane.

Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2024
Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2024

Alex Arnell’s style is utterly unique and could be interpreted as scribbles that ‘anyone could do’. That may or may not be true, but the point here is that he does it, and he does it really well. I like deliberately naive artwork because there is an authenticity about it, and although a cultivated look, it is also honest and unpretentious – although there might be those that consider it grossly pretentious. The skeleton is rather scary, not because it is a skeleton, but because there is threat and alarm in his expression. Crazy stuff, but most welcome.

5854. M32 Cycle path (253)

Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024

Laic217 has been smashing it for years now, and I continue to enjoy the ride he is taking us on. His improvement and development continues from piece to piece, always getting better and more interesting to look at.

Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024

This piece is full of sharp detail, in the flames, and the folds of the fabric but most noticeably in the reflections of the skeleton’s glasses. There is a lot of precision in this piece, and the mask being worn is amazing. An L on the hat for LAIC rounds the piece off nicely. There is always a home for every piece I find by the artist on Natural Adventures.

5767. Picton Lane (17)

Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, December 2023

These pictures were taken in the dark (the miracle of modern phone technology!) and probably don’t fully capture the magnificent colours of this graffiti writing/character piece by Kosc in Picton Lane. The piece was painted alongside a Mind 49 frog which recently featured on Natural Adventures.

Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Kosc, Picton Lane, Bristol, December 2023

The chrome letters are interrupted by a cigarette?-smoking skull appearing in the place of the O of KOSC. As you’d expect, the whole piece is beautifully constructed and executed in one of Kosc’s favourite spots. A classy piece.

5751. M32 roundabout J3 (543)

Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Mr Crawls had a very productive end to 2023, and has picked up where he left off already this year, and is collaborating a lot with Mote, which is so good to see. This is a solo piece from December , one of two similar pieces in the area that were probably painted as a pair, the other was sited at the end of St Werburghs tunnel.

Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Mr Crawls has stayed true to his bird character theme, but has been adapting the subject to great effect lately. This one is a partial skeleton bird – a little bit sinister, but not really. His artwork is all good, with some strong lines and suitable shading which adds depth to the bird’s head. I predict a big year ahead for this relative newcomer who has already made a significant mark on the Bristol scene.

5703. St Werburghs tunnel (392)

Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

I am currently on my way to London to watch Arsenal play Brighton in the Premier League, my first match of the season. The train is expected to be very full, and I don’t have a reserved seat (even though I ordered on when I bought the tickets). I expect to be evicted at any moment, so will keep this short.

Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

Mr Crawls seems to be having the time of his life, whether it is on his own or painting with Mote. This is a fine variation on his bird theme on the farm end of the tunnel, and shows off the inner workings of one of his birds. More of these to come.

5665. M32 roundabout J3 (529)

Bloem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Bloem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

Almost a month late, but better late than never, I am sharing this wonderful Halloween piece from Bloem (Hiccup). Bloem has brought something different and rather special to the streets of Bristol, with her simple, yet creative ideas beautifully crafted.

Bloem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Bloem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

What’s not to like about a spooky skeleton hand, complete with pink nails (of course), holding a fused pair of devil cherries with a smiley face on each. Slightly bonkers, but also great fun. I am very much enjoying Bloem’s contributions and look forward to the next ‘surprise’ she has in store.

5611. Greenbank (99)

Olek McBolek, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2023
Olek McBolek, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2023

I am happy this year that I have done Halloween justice, which is not always the case. This piece on the not-so-long-anymore hoarding at Greenbank is by occasional visiting artist Olek McBolek, who has painted on this stretch once or twice before, which is impressive given that his locations listed on Instagram are Glasgow and Berlin. I imagine he has friends in Bristol.

Olek McBolek, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2023
Olek McBolek, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2023

This is a really good Halloween piece combining the emblematic and obligatory pumpkin sitting above a mass of skeleton remains, which have been very well painted and represented. There is a strong and confident style here that reflects an artist in full control. The letters spell S8E, commonly adopted in his work, although I don’t know what they mean. A pleasant surprise find.

5608. Sparke Evans Park (82)

Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023

Laic217 has been rather busy in October, which is music to my ears. He has been an ever-present on Natural Adventures, and been something of a tour de force when it comes to painting unsettling skeleton characters or distorted faces.

Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023

Tucked away at the far-right of the long wall in Sparke Evans Park, this piece tells its own story of a skeleton wearing a face mask of a face, if that makes any sense. The skeleton is smoking – a common theme in much of Laic217’s work. There is a confidence and swagger about his work which has been earned with many long hours spent honing his skills. This is a wonderfully assured and beautifully executed piece by Laic217.