6046. Upfest 2024 (5)

M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

I think that this year, Steve and Emma, the organisers of Upfest, have definitely focused their efforts on securing more permanent walls in Bedminster for even more high-end artists from around the world to come to Bristol and leave their mark. There is an immediate and positive impact of the buildings and their surroundings when a new ‘marquee’ piece goes up.

M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

This is an absolute beauty from Megan Oldhues, who is based in Toronto, Canada, and who describes her work as traditional realism, which I think it is the perfect description for this outstanding piece. I have been writing about street art and graffiti for almost ten years now, and I can honestly say that this still life piece ranks right up there with my all-time favourites. Not only is the piece magnificent in every way, but the transformative effect it has had on this unexceptional terraced building is quite extraordinary.

M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
M. Oldhues, Ashton Road, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

Somehow when looking at this mural, the brain completely shuts out the windows, which before the building was painted, were the only features to see, breaking up the monotony of the wall. Although I usually immerse myself in ‘everyday’ graffiti writing and street art, it is awe inspiring to see impressive murals like this one from time to time. Megan Oldhues is welcome in Bristol any time.

2465. Cheltenham 2019 (4)

I don’t really have the right words to say about this piece by Deeds at the Cheltenham Paint Festival this year. It is simply quite brilliant. A study of cherries in a silver bowl. This is where fine art and street art meet…no blurred lines, this street art is fine art.

Deeds, Paint festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019
Deeds, Paint festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019

I have no idea how this piece was created, but I do know that Deeds works a lot with stencils, and pushing the boundaries with them, however I just can’t see how this might be from stencils. Instead of pondering too long, I’ll simply enjoy the piece for what it is rather than how it came to be.

Deeds, Paint festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019
Deeds, Paint festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019

It really is a classical still life piece and has more than a hint of Jeff Legg about it. I love it and celebrate it. Deeds has definitely raised the bar with this piece.