5277. Frome Side (22)

Bnie and Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023
Bnie and Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023

I don’t venture down to this spot very often, because the access isn’t really very suitable for the dog, and I wouldn’t want to take him down there, so my trips are limited to occasions when I have some free time and am dog-free. Making the effort is usually worth it, and on the last occasion, my prize was this lovely RBF collaboration from Bnie and Wispa.

Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023
Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023

The pair of artists have chosen a salmon and cucumber colour scheme (were they subliminally influenced by the Garrick Club?). Bnie has painted pink BNIE letters which have the letters RBF in green (and blue) overlaid, in a very clever presentation. Neat, tidy and creative, this is another in a string of outstanding pieces of graffiti writing from Bnie.

Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023
Wispa, Frome Side, Bristol, May 2023

Wispa has gone for a slightly lighter pink in her fill, transitioning to lilac and purple in horizontal strips. A deep 3D fill in green and black helps the writing to pop out from the wall. Wispa often adds extra value with her pieces by incorporating a character, and in this one a cuddly Kawaii rabbit adds to the cute factor. This is a lovely collaborative wall from these two great writers.

5274. Greenbank (82)

Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2023
Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2023

This wonderful Easter RBF paint jam piece by Wispa gives me the perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of light conditions when photographing street/graffiti art. In the first picture, the sun is coming from behind the camera, and as you can see, shadows from the trees have been cast onto the colourful WISPA letters and Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger character.

Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, May 2023
Wispa, Greenbank, Bristol, May 2023

The same piece on a different day with the sun setting behind the hoarding, and flaring can be seen behind the piece and the colours look dull and washed-out. The lesson here is that this spot should be photographed only on overcast days. Wispa is a hugely accomplished writer who seems to be tireless, painting only a fraction of her creations in Bristol. Fabulous colour fill patterns and  character – they’re grrrrrreat.

5236. Elton Street (23)

Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023
Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023

I don’t know where Wispa (@willow_the_wispa) lives, but she seems to pop up all over the country and indeed in other countries, which gives me the impression that she is constantly on the move. On the upside, it means that she comes to visit her Bristol RBF friends reasonably regularly and leaves something for us all to enjoy.

Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023
Wispa, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023

This is a wonderful mash-up of stylised throw-ups and tagging finished in a neat, tidy and deliberate way. Sanitising this kind of artwork isn’t easy, and Wispa has done it brilliantly. At first glance it might look like a mess, but it is in fact a really classy piece from a great writer. I already look forward to her next visit.

5081. Brunel Way (196)

Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023
Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023

I follow Wispa (Willo the Wisp) on Instagram, and it seems that not only is she talented and prolific with her art, but she seems to travel extensively to paint with friends wherever she pitches up. Fortunately, she appears to have some RBF friends in Bristol, and we are treated to her work every now and again.

Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023
Wispa, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2023

This piece under Brunel Way is a real cracker, with so much to enjoy. The first impression is how bright and colourful the piece is, but it is so much more than that. The fills in the letters are strong and the lines between colours straight and sharp. Of course, the character on the left tops the piece off beautifully, but it would be just as strong without it, demonstrating the quality of her writing. I hope she returns soon, although there is a little extra piece she painted on this visit.

4930. St Werburghs tunnel (335)

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022

There was a little bit of an RBF crew party in the tunnel just before Christmas, with a great turnout, and one of the artists, whose work I have not seen much of, is Wispa. Her writing and character might have been the pick of the bunch on account of the snowman, I mean who can resist this guy at Christmas?

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022

Wispa is clearly an accomplished writer who typically writes WISP and occasionally adds a character, and with this piece she has smashed both. The letters are nice ones to play with, and give plenty of scope for fills, curves and straight lines. The triple border works really well, picking out the letters and helping them to stand out from the wall.

Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
Wispa, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022

Raymond Briggs, may he rest in peace, would have loved this faithful rendition of his loveable character, right down to the cross-hatching on his hat and scarf. This is a fabulous Christmas piece from Wispa. I hope she comes back to Bristol soon with more great work.