A gallery of awesome wildstyle graffiti writing from Bristol artist Grimes.
Instagram: @_grimesnotdead
All photographs by Scooj
Grimes
Tag: Urban
7091. Cumberland Basin
It is crystal clear that Tera doesn’t do things by halves. New to the form of street art, he has picked it up at an alarming rate and is churning out large fantasy character pieces, making significant improvements with his technique every time he paints a wall.
Tera is a tattooist by profession, which comes across in his elaborate designs, but I am amazed at how he has managed to upscale his work from a few square inches to several square feet in size. The fantasy warrior, with three swords, seems well-prepared for any eventuality. The detail in the hands is superb, although the design of the mask and headdress is lost a little (I am being uber-picky). Basically, Tera keeps smashing it, and I suspect he’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
7090. Sparke Evans Park (138)
It looks like Stivs will once again be dividing opinion with this combination piece on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park. Although it was painted alongside the countless Paroe tribute pieces, it is not clear that this is one of them, and even if it were, it would seem a little inappropriate.
This is not the first time Stivs has painted a topless woman, but I worry that he might have missed the mark with this one, accompanying it with the words ‘Equal opportunities’. I’m not too sure what point he is trying to make, but it doesn’t sit all that comfortably with me. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a prude and am all for nudity in street art (as in all art), it is the messaging that worries me. The artwork is good, and the calligraffiti spelling out DSC – 25 – Stivs is totally in keeping with his style and talent.
7089. Brunel Way (327)
There is something about Creamylines’ work that simply seems to tick all my boxes, and I always get a little endorphin rush when I find one of his pieces, especially as they are rather infrequent. His ‘stained-glass window’ style is unlike anything else in Bristol.
The column landscape piece contains all the things you’d expect to find in one of Creamylines’ works. A landscape of hills peppered with figures, faces and eyes, topped with breaking clouds and silhouettes of birds on a rising/setting sun. What is interesting is that the artwork is quite crude, but the outcome sophisticated. This is a wonderful and uplifting piece from Creamylines.
7088. L Dub (75)
I believe that DFC1848 lives in Cheltenham, but that doesn’t seem to stop him making fairly regular visits to Bristol, and this one was to join a paint jam at L Dub a little while back. DFC 1848 started his street art journey painting one or two cartoon characters again and again, building his technique and confidence until now where he seems to paint a huge variety of pieces almost at will.
This is a rather brash pink-faced character – some kind of animal (I am not too sure what) wearing a baseball cap with the letters DFC emblazoned on the front. The piece has two borders, a thin black outline, a thick purple border, all set on a chrome background, which adds interest, but I am not sure that it offers the contrast he might have been looking for. Nice shout-outs to DJ Perks and Donz who frequent this spot and who joined him whilst painting this.
7087. Greenbank (162)
It looks as if the building work at the development alongside the Bristol to Bath cycle track has ground to a halt, for whatever reason. This has offered a stay of execution for the long hoardings that provide a wonderful spot for graffiti/street artists. Painting on borrowed time. These two pieces from Nice One are a curious pair that bookended existing pieces (I think).
Nice One has a wonderful touch that is quite unlike other artists in Bristol. His work looks much more like charcoal sketches or paint brush watercolour sketches, and bring something totally different for us to admire.
The two pieces are hidden portraits in greyscale that speak of threat and suffering, and I wonder if they are an oblique reference to the appalling situation in Gaza. Both are superbly presented and such unusual examples of artwork at this spot. Although the pieces are not signed, the appearance of an ‘N’ and an ‘e’ give him away. Classy stuff.
7086. Knowle West (5)
The collection of artists gathered together for the Knowle West paint jam was really out of the top draw, bringing together a variety of Bristol styles and one or two visitors too. This is a stunner from the outstanding Jody.
The only downside to this fabulous new spot is that there are quite a lot of cars to navigate around, and being a residential area, I can’t imagine there being a time when there won’t be parked cars. Some wide-angle shots partially overcome this problem, but not entirely.
Jody has painted a gorgeous portrait piece of a woman with a wonderful feather headdress. There is a calm, ethereal feel to the piece which clearly brings out Jody’s amazing talent. A very fine piece indeed.
7085. Dean Lane skate park (855)
Wow! This colourful piece by Dirtygypo is difficult not to notice. The letters are splashed with so many colours and great shapes, accompanied by lightening bolts and crowns. The piece is a single-handed festival. I would describe it as a combination piece, as the character at the start is rather well-developed, and adds fun and mischief to the whole piece.
I have pretty much given up trying to work out what the letters spell, despite many attempts. I can see so many letters and words, but would need to confirm with the artist, who I haven’t yet met. Today I am going for the obvious and guess that it says DIRTY.
7084. Brunel Way (326)
Visiting artists are very welcome in Bristol and inject excitement and variation into what is already a vibrant community. Squarms visited in July and left a few skeletons about the place for us to find and admire.
These skeletons are on the recently buffed columns at the southern end of the Brunel Way Spot, known as Daveside by skaters (Correction, this little area is called Curb Side, a few meters away and across the road from Daveside). These sketched designs of dancing skeletons are most endearing, and capture a sense of energy and fun. The design formula works really well with the black and white bones set on a pink drop shadow. These characters stand out nicely of the grey buff (thank you, Bristol City Council!). More to come from Squarms.
Metallic Harpalus
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A beetle scuttles
it is what beetles do best
catching the old eye
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by Scooj
Natural adventures 