Marckinetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023
I’ve not posted much from Marckinetic for a while, and that might be because he tends not to paint all that regularly. I might have missed a recent piece in the tunnel, but will have to correct that omission.
Marckinetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2023
This is a typical piece from Marckinetic writing in his unique style, set on a cosmic backdrop. I would like to think that his letters spelled out Mark, but I really don’t know, and I haven’t yet met him to ask. The pink arrow features on either side frame the piece really well, and you can imagine that the piece would be poorer without them. These ‘extras’ are what sets people above the ordinary.
Mr Klue has always enjoyed painting in the tunnel, but recently he has started to ‘own’ the place, with this beautiful offering being the third piece in a gallery of three. If he continues at this rate, he will have the whole wall to himself, which would be pretty impressive. Of course that will never happen, because of the turnover in the tunnel, but to have three, and another one at the other end is going some.
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2023
In this piece, with its stunning colours, it is possible to read the letters KLUE, especially if you are looking out for them. As is often the case with Mr Klue’s work, he has included his Mad Hatter character (invisible head) to the right, rounding the piece off nicely. Can he extend this streak to a fourth panel, before it all gets overpainted? Watch this space.
How absolutely brilliant is this? I used to read the Snail and Whale to my kids when they were little, along with several other Julia Donaldson classics. Having a close association with the sea for much of my childhood and my working life, I particularly enjoyed reading this picture book to them.
Haka, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2023
Haka has absolutely nailed the style of the illustrator, Axel Scheffler, in several pieces around the city, but this somehow feels even more authentic than some of the others. I am absolutely loving this ‘period’ in Haka’s street art journey, and expect it to continue for a few years yet. Bravo!
Two outstanding writers, Dibz and Turoe, have recently combined to create this wonderful tribute piece for Shimmer. I suspect that the piece may remain for quite some time due to both its quality and also that it is a tribute. This is a collaboration in which both artists have adopted a similar writing style and both are using the exact same colour scheme seamlessly.
Dibz and Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
To the left is the Dibz half of the collaboration, spelling out SHIMZ and to the right is Turoe’s contribution spelling TUROE. The green and yellow writing is as clean as a whistle and the whole thing set on a bubbly purple background – most eye-catching. In the middle of the piece is a Vaughn Bode lizard character, so much favoured by street artists in honour of the great man’s creations. This is a very, very fine tribute.
Doors 212 – A selection of doors from Greenbank in Bristol
I am taking a little bit of a break from Croatia doors this week, to share some doors from an area in Bristol called Greenbank, which is perhaps best known for its large cemetery. It would appear that this residential area of terraced houses has a distinct and tight community. Every time I walk around the area, there are always neighbours stopping for a chat, and the people here smile and are friendly.
The community spirit overflows and is reflected in themed front doors and tiny front gardens, and I get a real sense of pride in their neighbourhood, which is a heart-warming thing to see.
No more chat from me… here are the doors:
“Seen better days” garage doors, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023Yellow door with cats on the cornice, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023Green door with a bottle on the cornice, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023Green door with dragons and a lump hammer on the cornice, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023Yellow door with a dodo and planters on the cornice, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023Plain white door with remains of a fancy surround, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2023
So that’s about it for this week, from a cols and unusually snowy Bristol. May I wish you a great rest of week and weekend.
I met Kid Krishna when he was painting this piece, and we chewed the fat for a little while. He was hungry and kept going on about getting a takeaway, and asked me whether I thought he could get food delivered to the tunnel entrance. Can you imagine having that conversation 25 years ago? How the world has changed.
Kid Krishna (WIP), St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2023
While I had Kid Krishna’s attention, I asked him about his letters and how he builds up his pieces. He told me that he starts with the letters CRIE, and that he writes the letters starting on the right and paints to the left – it’s just how he does things. H builds up the letters in layers until the whole thing ends up pretty much disguised. It is no wonder I have always struggled to read his stuff.
Kid Krishna, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2023
This particular piece is a belter, and has a kind of industrial or mechanical feel about it, almost looking like an engine or something. Kid Krishna continues to turn out extraordinary work.
Evey and Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Desi and Evey are painting buddies and frequently meet up to paint together. In fact, I met them yesterday painting together with Peggy in Sparke Evans Park, a spot I have to return to, because they hadn’t completed their work while I was there.
Evey, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
As I have said on numerous occasions about both Evey and Desi, is that they are improving all the time. Evey has painted this rather nice bubble writing EVEN, but the most striking thing about it is that it is a tribute piece to her (I assume) grandpa, and the letters are sad ones and the ‘V’ is a broken heart.
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Desi has gone with her Veil variant in this piece and offers up thee hearts – how lucky we are. The letters are nicely filledand the white spots add a bit of depth. I would like to see Desi start working on some more complex fill patterns, which I think she is ready for. (What am I? Some kind of school master? Cringe).
I am definitely coming to the conclusion that it is time for a Lee Roy gallery. He appears to have had a little bit more free time to paint recently, and there are pieces appearing in all parts of Bristol. I often wonder what it is that creates these moments for artists, is it family circumstances, is it a job situation, mental health, affordability or inspiration that dictates the peaks and troughs in activity.
Lee Roy, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2023
This piece in my beloved Moon Street is painted in his anti-style unruly lettering, spelling out LROY on this occasion. The dark colours give it a fairly austere appearance, and there are one or two little narratives going on – a burning candle, a stairway, the sun and stars and a face with four eyes, all stories to be told. Gallery to come soon I hope.
Instantly, my first thought when I look at this piece is that 3Dom has signed it @mike22inks, which is his Instagram handle. Is this in an effort to be more overt in gaining commissions? At the moment, with Bristol City Council (supposedly) clamping down on illegal walls, it might be that some of the more established artists are looking to continue their craft with commissions and permitted walls. Who knows?
3Dom, Elton Street, Bristol, February 2023
The piece itself, at the end of the Lost Horizons building, is a beautifully illustrated social commentary piece, possibly titled “It’s a Trap”. On his Instagram post, 3Dom included the hashtag #cashlesssociety. The TV/monitor character is animated with crustacean legs and is dangling an angler fish-like lure rather menacingly, enticing victims into the toothy mouth. Lots of things going on in this fabulous piece.
Dott Rotten, New Stadium Road, Bristol, February 2023Dott Rotten, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022Dott Rotten, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2022Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2022Dott Rotten, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2021Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2021Dott Rotten, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2021Dott Rotten, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021Dott Rotten, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2021Dott Rotten, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020Dott Rotten, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2020Dott Rotten, St John’s Steep, Bristol, September 2020Dott Rotten, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2019Dott Rotten, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018Dott Rotten (Spoilt), St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2018Dott Rotten, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2017
Natural adventures 