It is always good when an artist who is the beneficiary of a birthday paint jam manages to conjure up something a little special to mark the occasion, and that is exactly what Ulow has managed to do here.
Ulow, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2026
Ulow has painted a street artist character dressed well for the winter and with a spray can in his hand. What makes Ulow’s work extra special is that he paints in tones, in this case blues and pinks, rather than with a full colour palette, and the outcome is always captivating. A lovely birthday piece from Ulow.
The quality of artists and their artwork for the Upfest 75 walls in 75 days event has been astonishingly high, and Bristolians are blessed and privileged to have so much free art to enjoy. It is sad therefore, to report that a couple of days ago several of the pieces were badly tagged by some idiot who bears a grudge against Upfest. Don’t think for one second that the irony is lost on me, but the Upfest guest list is of the highest order and their work should be respected. One or two pieces have been repaired, and I hope the others will too. Fortunately this one was too high for the grubby vandal to deface.
TEAone, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest21
This work by TEAone AKA Gavin Renshaw is truly outstanding and has a relaxed rural feel about it. What could be nicer than a musician strumming away in a café scene such as this? I had thought of talking to the artist while he was working on it, but at the moment I was there he didn’t look in the right space for a chat, so I left him to it.
TEAone, West Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest21
The writing spells TONE, TEAone, geddit? And the overall composition has a strong 1950/60s look both in design and colours. Those little iron café chairs are exquisite, and the piece is rounded off perfectly with some clever shading, especially around the hat and face of the musician. This is a superb addition to the 75 walls.
Natural adventures 