4051. Sparke Evans Park (18)

Finding and photographing this wonderful collaboration between Haka and Logoe was a very special moment, because I met Haka for the first time, just as he was tidying up and photographing his work; and what a phenomenally nice bloke he is.

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021

On the left is a fairly typical piece of block letter writing combined with a cheeky character. His somewhat chaotic style belies his talent as a graffiti artist of great merit. It is always great to see too his everlasting tributes to CK1.

Logoe, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021
Logoe, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021

On the right is another Logoe piece from his recent prolific assault on Bristol’s walls. Haka was able to shed some light on this peak activity. I understand that Logoe lives in Pembrokeshire and only occasionally visits Bristol. When he does come he brings with him loads of sketches and ideas for pieces and paints like there is no tomorrow. This is, of course, great news for us. This script style piece decorated with shades of grey and purple carries the message “Just because you grow old… you don’t have to grow up”. Makes sense to me. More to come from this Logoe marathon.

4050. St Werburgh’s Park

Life is full of surprises, and for me some of the best surprises are new murals in town that have not been on my radar, and this outstanding new piece in St Werburgh’s Park, by Gabriel Pitcher, is definitely one of those great surprises to lift the spirits. This piece is part of an initiative called ‘Vanguard x TOward 2030, What are you doing?’, and there is a very good webpage from Street Art News that explains the event and showcases several artworks and artists around Bristol – more for me to seek out!

Gabriel Pitcher, St Werburgh's Park, Bristol, November 2021
Gabriel Pitcher, St Werburgh’s Park, Bristol, November 2021

I have borrowed some text from the Street Art News website to help explain some of the background to this Gabriel Pitcher piece:

Gabriel Pitcher has partnered with community ambassador, The Global Goals Centre to paint a mural in St Werburgh’s, Bristol celebrating Bristol 17 hero Katie Cross, founder of Pledgeball. 

Pledgeball harnesses the power of football and its fans to accelerate the pursuit of global sustainability. Through affiliated clubs, it prompts fans into small lifestyle ‘pledges’ in support of their favourite team and their only planet and empowers fans by demonstrating the huge impact even small changes can make for the benefit of themselves and their environment.”

Gabriel Pitcher, St Werburgh's Park, Bristol, November 2021
Gabriel Pitcher, St Werburgh’s Park, Bristol, November 2021

The piece itself is so natural. Subtle colours, tons of movement and a modesty that is a rare thing in large murals these days. It is so good to see this kind of people-engagement with the environment through art, something we could see a lot more of in the coming years, I hope. This is a fabulous and worthy (in the good sense) piece.

4049. St Werburghs tunnel (265)

I have a feeling that this mask-like face may have been a Halloween piece from Laic217, at least it was certainly painted around that period at the end of October. The piece is far from typical of Laic’s work but contains his recognisable style.

Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2021
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2021

Set on a vibrant pink background the grey scale demon stares out from the wall menacingly. The mask-like structure is rather static and fixed, which is different to most of his other work which tends to be full of animation and movement. Great to see something a little bit different.

4048. Princess Street (3), Burnham-on-Sea

Now I know that this classic piece from John D’oh has been here for a while, but as I only recently visited Burnham-on-Sea for the first time, I have not seen it before, but what a fabulous shutter piece it is. Beautifully executed and witty.

John D'oh, Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, September 2021
John D’oh, Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, September 2021

It is a really cleverly constructed pastiche of the work of Lichtenstein, and comes together as such really well. It takes a lot of skill and courage to carry something like this of, but John D’oh has managed it with his customary class. An excellent piece and really worth seeking out if you find yourself in the area.

It is also worth noting the cheeky little Veee character in the left of the shutter in the feature photograph.

4047. Brunel Way (130)

This wall under Brunel Way was taken over a couple of weeks back by the Bristol Women’s Collective in a fabulous paint jam which resulted in several small and very interesting pieces. This one is by Billy, and really ticks a lot of boxes for me (in other words I like it).

Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021

The abstract design, inspired by a swirly rug in Old Market, obviously, is simply painted and presented, but combined with the words tells a wonderful story and encourages the mind to wander into the market and imagine. An unmistakably Billy piece, and fabulous at that.

4046. Purdown HAA Battery (39)

On Natural Adventures, I typically prepare the images in advance that I am going to post, so I might have maybe up to two week’s worth of material waiting in the wings. Then each morning, before work, I quickly pull some words together and insert the prepared images, and hey presto, we have street art post number 4046.

This approach means that I know, several days in advance what pieces I will be posting, so when Skronius posted this new piece on Instagram yesterday, I was able to inform him that I had coincidentally prepared a blog which I would publish today.  I expect that this rambling is just too much information, so on to the piece.

Skronius, Purdown Battery, Bristol, October 2021
Skronius, Purdown Battery, Bristol, October 2021

Skronius definitely seems to favour this spot, and I haven’t yet seen any of his work anywhere else in Bristol. His style is quite illustrative and is full of dynamism and movement. This bright and colourful creature munching on steps reminds me very much of the Buddhist art you might see in Nepal or Tibet, the theme, style and colours could all have been lifted from that region and placed here in Purdown. I am a fan of Skronius’ work which is refreshing and different. Looking forward to finding more, and seeing Skronius develop as a street artist.

4045. Brunel Way (129)

The Spanish HMR crew hit the support wall under Brunel Way a week or two back and this amazing black panther portrait from Dabuten Tronko was the centrepiece, flanked by a pair of writers on each side.

Dabuten Tronko, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Dabuten Tronko, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021

Dabuten Tronko’s character pieces set a really high standard in Bristol, and although he doesn’t paint all that often, when he does it is nearly always a beauty like this one. It is interesting to see how he has left the writing above the panther intact painting the red light around the back of the letters. A nice touch. This is yet another fine piece from the artist and makes me think that perhaps it is time for a gallery of his work.

4044. City Road (11)

Having only recently started to post pieces by Dopes, it was particularly gratifying to find this absolute beauty recently. Sprayed during a recent paint jam celebrating the opening of a relocated eatery, this piece really stood out, and ticks a lot of my boxes.

Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021
Dopes, City Road, Bristol, October 2021

The multi-coloured, beautifully and skilfully patterned fills are truly exceptional, and the white spots and trims provide the depth and 3D look. Dopes’ letter shapes are all very nice too, particularly the elaborate D. This is a belter of a piece of graffiti writing from the RAW man.

4043. M32 roundabout J3 (360)

As with my previous post, this Subtle piece has languished in the ‘departure lounge’ of Natural Adventures since September. I had intended to publish it almost immediately, as I like to try and  do with pieces that I really admire, but somehow it got leap-frogged and then fell down the list. I am very happy to have revived it.

Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

Subtle has not painted a huge amount this year, so finding this one was a real pleasure. This is a beautiful and touching tribute piece by Subtle for his cousin Sarah, who sadly passed away in September this year. It must have been difficult to paint, but probably means a lot to him, and to the family. It is a beautiful thing to do.

Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

Although Subtle doesn’t often do characters, I think that this is very nicely done, and it is something he should consider doing more of – the ones I have seen I have liked, and they offset the writing really well. A very fine tribute piece.

4042. Sparke Evans Park (17)

This lovely piece of graffiti writing from Claro_que_sssnoh has been sitting in my ‘departure lounge’ for months and months, it got left behind and dropped off my radar. In a recent clear up, I found it again, and have dusted it off for posting.

Claro_que_sssnoh, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2021
Claro_que_sssnoh, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2021

The colours work quite well, although I am not too sure about the pink and the red being comfortable bedfellows, something doesn’t quite feel right. The letters, spelling HONS, are in typical Claro style, that is long and thin, combining smooth curves with angular elements, and filled with lots of circles and other decorations. Glad to have hauled this out of the pending list.