1681. Upfest 2018 (21)

To kick of the third set of ten posts from Upfest 2018 is this magnificent piece by the brilliant artist Annatomix. I have seen a few of her pieces and I have to say the more I see of them, the more I like them.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This piece was on a new wall for 2018, which it suited perfectly, in a little garden space behind an arched gateway on North Street. I wrote a haiku about this gateway some time ago.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I managed to have a quick chat with Annatomix during one of the several showers on the Saturday, and I think she was worried about getting behind schedule with the piece. It was such a pity that it rained during Upfest, especially as it was in the middle of a heatwave.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The choice of subject, a kingfisher, and the stunning colours – thanks largely to the kingfisher itself – was absolutely perfect for this space. Her origami style of painting is so clever and really attractive – a kind of abstract take on wildlife.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think it would be nice to keep this as a permanent wall, but I don’t know it that is likely to happen – best to enjoy it while it is there I guess. Bravo Annatomix – one of the festival highlights.

1647. Upfest 2018 (9)

I have seen a few pieces by Bristol artist J. West around the place and posted two or three of them on this blog in the past. He is an animator turned artist and much of his inspiration has come from a spell working at Bristol Zoo Gardens and from David Attenborough TV shows.

J. West, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
J. West, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I haven’t seen too much of his work, but that which I have seen appears to be bilaterally symmetrical and this Upfest piece is no different. I am sorry that I didn’t stop to talk to him because I think we probably share inspirations, but he looked pretty busy, and it is never easy chatting to people with a mask on.

J. West, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
J. West, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I will keep looking out for his distinct style of work, but for me, this piece I think is my favourite that I have seen so far.

Long tailed tit

 

fluffy, scruffy ball

in uncertain surroundings;

young bird forages.

 

by Scooj

Drying day

 

Unbothered by my

hanging, dragonfly alights

on the whiligig.

 

by Scooj

1614. North Street

I have a feeling that this piece was stencilled by John D’oh during last year’s Upfest, but because it is on a shutter, I just haven’t seen it as I’m not usually in Bedminster outside normal working hours. For those not familiar with David Attenborough (is there anyone on this blue planet?) the phrase used by John D’oh is an affectionate ribbing of one of Attenborough’s much used phrases, spoken in whispered tones.

John D'oh, North Street, Bristol, July 2018
John D’oh, North Street, Bristol, July 2018

The stencil is very typical of John D’oh’s work, although in this instance devoid of politics. There is something a little unfortunate about the monkey in the top right glancing down at Attenborough – his face appears to be a graffiti cock and bals, which is what I hought it was the first time I saw it. I’m not sure if this is deliberate or not, but once pointed ut it is difficult not to see it (sorry). Nice work again from John D’oh.

Beautiful Demoiselle

 

Rising from the stream

graceful fluterer settles;

an angel in blue.

 

by Scooj

Blur

 

A miracle of

convergent evolution;

hummingbird hawk moth.

 

by Scooj

Cinnabar moth

.

Biohazard stripes

advertising toxic taste

on ragwort flowers.

.

by Scooj

1548. Dean Lane skate park (135)

There is not too much to say about this lovely little toucan by Touc, other than I think it was the first one of his little birds that I found, and I have just retrieved it from my archive.

Touc, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018
Touc, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018

I’ve not seen any new ones recently, but am always on the look out.

Aspire

A collection of street art from Aspire.

All photographs taken by Scooj

Aspire, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022
Aspire, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022
Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, July 2022
Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, July 2022
Aspire, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Aspire, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Aspire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Aspire, Fairfield Road, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Aspire, Alfred Road, Bristol, March 2020
Aspire, Alfred Road, Bristol, March 2020
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Aspire, St Mark's Avenue, Bristol, September 2019
Aspire, St Mark’s Avenue, Bristol, September 2019
Aspire, Nomadic Community Garden, Brick Lane, London, April 2019
Aspire, Nomadic Community Garden, Brick Lane, London, April 2019
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018
Aspire, Newfoundland Street, Bristol, March 2018
Aspire, Newfoundland Street, Bristol, March 2018
Ryder and Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2017
Ryder and Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2017
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Aspire, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2017
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2017
Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2016
Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2016
Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire, Picton Lane, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire, City Road, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, City Road, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire and ? Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire and Mr Klue, City Road, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire and Mr Klue, City Road, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Devon Road, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, City Road, Bristol, January 2016
Aspire, City Road, Bristol, January 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016
Aspire, Charles Street, Bristol
Aspire, Charles Street, Bristol