Tag: Spray can

2978. Dean Lane skate park (318)

For me, the best thing about the relaxation of lock down restrictions has not been my own personal freedoms… I have changed virtually nothing, but the appearance of Laic217 back on our streets with a vigour that is unparalleled. I have found five new Laic217 pieces in a fortnight, so expect more soon.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020

This vibrant red skull-face is clutching a spray can in its jaws set on a background of green cheeseplant-type leaves. I think that Laic217 needs to practice his leaf forms a little bit more (says the biologist in me) and look forward to more of this kind of background. Bold and interesting your face’ it is impossible not to see this striking piece. Bravo!

2882. Shoreditch, London

I have encountered Zabou’s work in London, Bristol (at Upfest) and in Cheltenham at last year’s paint festival, where I was lucky enough to meet her and have a quick chat, in which I basically gushed about her work and probably made a bit of a fool of myself. I seem to recall that I said I would send her some posts I had written about her work, but typical of my general uselesness I haven’t done it.

Zabou, Shoreditch, London, August 2016
Zabou, Shoreditch, London, August 2016

This is a fabulous piece in Soreditch of two angelic figures looking like they are going to get up to no good with spray cans at the ready. The piece has a kind of ’50s retro feel about it, maybe it is the hairstyles. If one took a look at it today, it might be easy to assume that the masked ladies were protecting themselves from the Coronovirus with their facemasks. It is interesting how things can be seen in different ways depending on the context or socio-political landscape.

2735. L Dub (12)

L Dub is a really great spot to refine your skills. It is out of the way and undisturbed, so there is no sense of being rushed. The walls there are for all artists, there doesn’t seem to be too much built-in hierarchy. DFC is a street art photographer/hunter who has been turning his skills to spraying walls, and he has been really busy over the last six months or so.

DFC, L Dub, Bristol, January 2020
DFC, L Dub, Bristol, January 2020

I am more used to seeing his DFC ‘bear’ type character so I was pleased to see this spray can with wings, which is another of his favourites. It is clear to see from his work that the more you practice, the better you get. It is what every artist has told me and I guess should come as no surprise. Plenty more in my archive to share from this emerging artist.

One wall – many faces (1)

Looking at a single wall and how it changes over time.

1. Curved wall at Dean Lane, Bristol

Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2017
Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2017

 

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Biers, Dean Lane skatepark, Bristol, July 2017
Biers, Dean Lane skatepark, Bristol, July 2017
Luke Smile, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Luke Smile, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Biers, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2018
Biers, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Ugar, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2018
Ugar, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2018
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2018
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2018
Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
NEVERGIVEUP and Soge, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
NEVERGIVEUP and Soge, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Stupid Stupid Meathole, Panskaribas and Rory MacRaild, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019
Stupid Stupid Meathole, Panskaribas and Rory MacRaild, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2019
Stupid Stupid Meathole, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Stupid Stupid Meathole, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Inkie, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Inkie, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Face 1st and Daz Cat, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019
Face 1st and Daz Cat, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019
Hemper, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Hemper, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Lucy Danielle, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020
Lucy Danielle, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020
Decay, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020
Decay, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2020
Dtok, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020
Dtok, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020
Turoe One, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020
Turoe One, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020
3Dom and Sepr, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2020
3Dom and Sepr, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2020

2206. Allen Gardens, London (3)

Sometimes it is just too difficult to talk about how good a piece really is, because the words used are clumsy and don’t really do the artist justice. This is a case in point. It is a zombie piece (not to everyone’s taste) by JXC, an artist I have come across a couple of times at Upfest.

JXC, Allen Gardens, London, November 2018
JXC, Allen Gardens, London, November 2018

Everything about this is good – an arresting subject, incredible precision and artwork, great colour selection and a level of detail rarely seen on the street. As an observer, sometimes it is just so hard to comprehend how these guys do this with spray cans, I am left in awe. As you can see, I rather like this piece which I photographed in London back in November last year.

JXC, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
JXC, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016

2075. Dean Lane skate park (199)

When Cheo and 3Dom get together for a collaboration it is guaranteed to be interesting and of the highest quality, and so it is with this recent piece in Dean Lane.

3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019

The whole piece is a clever section of a Cheo character, the inside workings of which are by 3Dom. The character is a graffiti artist, complete with baseball cap, backpack and spray-paint can, primed to do his best. The innards of the character and his backpack are altogether a little weird.

3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019

There is a good chance that the piece may be around for a little while, as both artists are highly respected and the paintwork itself is flawless. Having said that, there are no rules. The final photograph just provides a little context for the wall and its surroundings in the skate park. A treat of a piece.

3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
3Dom and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019

1703. Moon Street (53)

This is a really interesting piece by Laic217 in Moon Street for two reasons. Firstly, it is unfinished, which is quite unusual in itself and secondly it seems like it might have been a practise wall for a piece he sprayed in Dean Lane skate park a few days later (see next post).

Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2018

I rather hope that the character isn’t anyone he knows, because it isn’t particularly flattering. The mouth is unfinished and in fact the first time I looked at it I thought it was graffitied by someone else and the spray can is also unfinished. I do find it a bit of a puzzle that it is incomplete, because he appears to have put in a lot of effort before giving up. Perhaps he was disturbed. Anyhow, incomplete or not, I love this piece and the idea behind it. more classy work from Laic217.

1335. M32 Spot (15)

Laic217 is, as regular readers will know, one of my absolute favourite Bristol artists, and his work has been going from strength to strength over the last few years. One of the things that has really improved is how he creates textures on the clothes of his characters.

Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

In this piece the skeleton looks like he is wearing a fleece hoodie, with gentle folds and creases. The colour is outstanding, and lifts the whole thing…it’s in your face.

Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

Skeletons clutching spray cans is a speciality of Laic217 and although he does a lot of them, they are all quite different and it is difficult to tire of them. I think it is the combinations of colours that sets this piece apart from others.

Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

I first saw this piece piece in Instagram but couldn’t work out where it was. The cycle track that runs alongside the M32 has been closed off while construction work is going on, and this particular spot has become a bit of a cul-de-sac, which I only occasionally visit. I had to ask another photographer where it was…something I don’t like doing too much…it is a pride thing.

 

 

1178. Upfest 2016 (158)

What a lovely piece this is by Gage (Oliver Gillard), and actually what a hugely gifted artist he is. Gage is based in Bristol and runs his own business Gage Graphics, offering large mural commissions.

Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

In this piece he has some floating 3D writing and a spray can (the tool of his trade) bursting with wildlife and colour. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to really appreciate this piece. I think it is because the images were stored in my archive upside down, and it is hard to appreciate and pick out upside down thumbnails. Lovely work.