Kosc is having something of a purple patch with his greyscale pieces that are to be found around the city. He seems to have found a new theme that he is enjoying exploring, and as an onlooker I am thoroughly enjoying seeing.
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
The effect that Kosc achieves, using only greyscale tones on a green-grey background, is awesome, creating a kind of metallic look, especially where the dark and light tones meet in the diagonal line across the KOSC letters. This is the work of an artist at the top of his game who appears to be enjoying his painting.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
It would appear that Mommynature and Nugmoose are a cosy collaborating pair, who, together, are turning out some fabulous work at the moment. This is one of several recent collaborations that have appeared in some of the popular graffiti spots in Bristol.
Mommynature, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
I have noticed that, in common with other collaborative partnerships, when these two paint together, Mommynature (formerly known on Natural Adventures as Frog), tends to paint on the left and Nugmoose on the right. Mommynature returns to he frog character, who is sitting on a log, looking a little ‘tired and emotional’ after a party, as a snail, complete with cigarette, slowly passes by. A lovely story piece from Mommynature.
Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
To the right, is some alien writing from Nugmoose, that we have come to know and love, and parts of the writing are accompanied by alien objects, living or otherwise. The great thing about painting alien life is that it gives you great latitude to imagine, without being constrained by convention. I am loving the collaborations from these two, and look forward to seeing what they can do together this year.
At some point, in the not too distant past, some kindly people or group installed a little raised bed in this dark, dank corner below the M32 motorway. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the bed has not been maintained, and has become a dumping ground (see the razor wire, that seems to reside here) and public toilet. Even in these rather revolting conditions, street artists and writers continue to paint the walls, at risk to their own health, to brighten the place up a bit.
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023
This is a lovely chrome burner from Ryder, a true gentleman of Bristol, that through its apparent simplicity and sharpness provides a little eye candy in this desperate spot. It was painted alongside a T-Rex piece (to follow). I like the way the chrome picks up and reflects the light in this dingy space.
Claro_que_sssnoh, New Stadium Road, Bristol. January 2023
This spot has become rather challenging to photograph in recent months. It is adjacent to the Shah Jalal Jame Mosque, and cars park in every conceivable space at prayer times, including in this tight underpass. If you get the timing wrong (which I seem to with alarming regularity) then it is almost impossible to photograph the street/graffiti art without cars, but such are the risks with pieces being overpainted, that it is better to get whatever pictures you can, whenever you can.
Claro_que_sssnoh, New Stadium Road, Bristol. January 2023
This is yet another wonderful piece from Claro_que_sssnoh, who for a little while I thought might have departed these shores due to a long gap in any new work from him. Set on yellow, his HONS letters in his unique style are beautifully filled and finished. Although this style isn’t necessarily to everyone’s liking, there is no denying that it is technically well worked. Looking forward to more from Claro_que_sssnoh in 2023
Mr Klue and Hana, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2022
It looks like Mr Klue has a new painting partner, which is great to see. This small collaboration appeared in the tunnel a couple of weeks ago and has colour coordinated pieces by Mr Klue and Hana (an artist I have not encountered before).
Mr Klue and Hana, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2022
To the left is a characteristic wispy KLUE (I think), ephemeral as ever and looking like it might evaporate at any moment, and to the right, pulling the colours across, is a beautiful floral design piece by Hana. It would seem that ‘Floral’ is ‘in’ at the moment, and I am fully in favour of it. I know that these two have paired up again since this piece was painted, but I can’t recall where – I’ll need to investigate.
It is a rare thing indeed to find a Mr Steven piece these days, so it was extra pleasing to see this small burner up at Purdown. Although only a small piece, it is really nicely finished, and stands out from the crowd in this unusual Bristol spot.
Mr Sleven, Purdown, Bristol, January 2023
The letters ‘Slev’ are delineated by the lovely green 3D drop shadow, with a pink trim border. The fills are rather lovely, with three horizontal colour layers and an array of complementary spots. This is a lovely ‘quick one’ from Mr Sleven, and I hope to see more from him soon.
The turnover in St Werburghs tunnel is always high in Winter, but this winter it has gone off the scale. New pieces emerge daily, and there have been a plethora of paint jams involving several artists painting together. I hope to get down there today, having been away for a week, and expect to find quite a lot of new work.
3F fino, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
This lovely piece by 3f Fino is slightly haunting, with a yellow-coated character hanging, phantom-like, over the green and purple FINO letters. The folds in the clothing have been worked really well, with some great shading and highlight work. Overall something a little bit different and also rather good from the LRS artist.
I met Peggy for the first time yesterday in Dean Lane, but it was the most fleeting of meetings. Peggy was finishing off a piece on a sloping wall and wasn’t really in a position to stop and chat, so I left her to it, and will I’m sure, have another opportunity to say hello.
Peggy, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
This is a gorgeous piece at the farm end of the tunnel, which I don’t think lasted very long, which is a great pity. Clearly Peggy has a great eye for design and proportion, and manages to create a piece that fits a space very well. I expect she gets lots of practice from the henna work she does. As with other pieces she has created, there is an eye in the floral design. Quite what the eye signifies, I don’t know, but I will ask, if I ever get the chance. A fine piece from Peggy.
I think that Haka might have been let off childcare duties recently, because he has been prolific with his stunning recreations of children’s picture book characters, and this magnificent piece on the M32 roundabout is a perfect example. I genuinely don’t know where he gets the energy from to paint so much, but am glad that he does.
Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
This piece features a worm, Superworm, from the book by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Superworm, faithfully recreated, is wriggling his way through some beautiful chrome letters spelling out HAKA. A great way to start the year.
Conrico, St George skate park, Bristol, January 2023
Conrico is an artist who sees to keep himself very busy either with commissions or his street art. Either way, there always seems to be something new by him to go out and find. This is a lovely piece on the back of a skate ramp in St George skate park, where the turnover of artwork tends to be rather slow.
Conrico, St George skate park, Bristol, January 2023
In this piece Conrico has written his name in chrome on an oriental scene, a recurring theme for Conrico. The house on the left has beautiful architecture from, I would guess, China. A night time sky with a full moon leads across to a fox appearing from a wisp of smoke. As with most of Conrico’s work, there is a story here – I guess it is up the viewer to fill in the gaps. Lovely work, photographed on a very cold icy day.
Natural adventures 