150. Armada Place (2)

It seems hard to believe that I have notched up 150 posts of Bristol street art already. It wasn’t meant to become a ‘thing’ but it has somehow crept under my skin. Mrs Scooj is underwhelmed by my interest in urban art, but I have the bug, and it gives me great pleasure.

This is one of two new pieces by Bristol artist Aspire. His works, mostly of birds, are truly beautiful and at this time of year entirely appropriate and the Spring gets a foothold and lightens out hearts. This is a ‘tui bird‘ an endemic bird of New Zealand – not something we usually see in the Stokes Croft area.

Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016 - Tui Bird
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016 – Tui Bird

I have featured two other Aspire works previously, a robin (and who doesn’t love robins?) and another bird (I’m not sure what species).

Just wonderful. 8/10

143. Leonard Lane (7)

Inspired by Frankie Beane’s recent post featuring ATM I thought I would share some wildlife street art by the artist in the wonderful Leonard Lane. This thin lane that follows the boundary of the old city wall is festooned with natural history street art instigated by a project called ‘Human Nature‘. Some 18 artists including ATM and Stewy took part, and I have posted several works already in this blog.

ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015
ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015

My challenge was to demonstrate that ATM, although a specialist in painting birds, has also painted some stunning creatures, including this moth and beetle.

ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015
ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015

I stroll down Leonard Lane about once a week, hoping to see something new. Some of the works have been tagged and are getting a little ragged…maybe time for a revamp?

ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015
ATM, Leonard Lane, Bristol, August 2015

8/10

Long tailed tit

 

Welcome visitor

on the damson tree by the

window, foraging.

 

by Scooj

138. North Street, Workout (1)

ATM is something of a bird specialist, although I featured his wonderful bee near the entrance of @Bristol back in  July 2015. In that post I referred to ATM working on a piece for Upfest 2015. This is that piece.

ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015
ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015

ATM is a tireless campaigner for a better understanding of the plight of our wildlife and he has given several interviews about his work – here is a lovely one from Inspiring City.

ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015
ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015

This hand painted image of a hen harrier is typical of his work, and although most of his work is to be seen in London, there are several in Bristol…check out Leonard Lane, for example.

7.5/10

Green

 

Spring’s prelude so green,

a sight for sore eyes after

the long wet grey days.

 

by Scooj

Then and now

 

Butterfly dreams in

Winter, I wonder how to

gaze once more in awe.

 

by Scooj

The curse of adulthood

 

When I was young I

saw only the wonder of

the world; no longer.

 

by Scooj

Mugger

 

Up on Brandon Hill

the lazy streetwise squirrels

mug folk for vittels.

 

by Scooj

Three squirrels

 

One by one by one

they ripple up and down trees

foraging for food.

 

by Scooj

Confused

 

Still flowering, a

Serbian bellflower coats

the front garden wall.

 

by Scooj