5727. M32 roundabout J3 (538)

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Smak has rounded off his year with some style, producing a string of outstanding pieces over the last six months or so, with this one, a paint jam piece for Pekoe’s birthday being the latest. This is an absolute classic, written in Smak’s distinctive style, where each letter is afforded plenty of space for elaboration.

Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The letters are painted in greens and yellows, which is usually a winning combination of colours. The letters SMAK can clearly be seen, and have been stunningly designed. When I see a complex piece of graffiti writing like this, I am left utterly awestruck by the artist’s ability to create such a thing of beauty with spray cans. A triumphant piece from Smak.

5726. Frome Side (27)

 

Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie and Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Two more pieces from the incredible RBF Rugrats paint jam in November celebrating Bnie’s birthday and Vozie’s baby. Here the two combine to give us a glimpse of their awesome artwork. As a combination, these two paint really well together and seem to get the best out of each other.

Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Bnie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

Both artists have adopted the colour palette used for the paint jam and both have included characters from the to cartoon show, Dil and Tommy Pickles. I was just a little too old to enjoy the show, but my kids used to watch it when they were little. The accomplished piece of writing from Bnie is filled with four horizontal shades of  pink/purple, creating depth and interest in the work.

Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023
Vozie, Frome Side, Bristol, November 2023

To the right of Bnie’s letters, Vozie has reflected the fills in her own distinct lettering. Both have also created a complex letter border of green with white and yellow highlights, a black drop shadow, completed with an orange outline finishing the piece off beautifully. Great work from this talented duo.

 

 

5725. St Werburghs tunnel (393)

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

Phour is one of those graffiti writers whose work either lasts for only a day or two in the more popular spots, but because he paints in some unusual places, some of his work stays visible for months and months. This piece, in the tunnel didn’t last very long at all (I think, but I am now starting to doubt myself).

Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Phour, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023

His strong letters and colour selections always draw attention. This one is perhaps a little more sophisticated than it might look at first glance. There are three layers of green, very nicely presented with drips falling from one to another layer. A black drop shadow and white border round the piece off very nicely.

5724. M32 Cycle path (243)

Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I haven’t seen many pieces by Todoaciem this year, and I hope that his lack of painting on the streets is because he has other important things happening in his life, such as employment or family etc. The rarity makes each piece even more enjoyable to find, and this piece of calligraffiti alongside the M32 motorway is an absolute belter.

Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The writing spells out CIEM ONE in rich gold and purple tones, the colours of royalty. A light dusting of light blue serves to lift the letters a little. Todoaciem is a master of calligraffiti, and his letter proportions and shapes are outstanding, to leave us with a superb example of this style of writing.

5723. M32 roundabout J3 (537)

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

There is just enough time to squeeze one more utterly awesome piece from Dibz and Jody before the year is out. Although not overtly Christmassy, this piece does have a sense of celebration and festival about it.

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The wildstyle writing is from Dibz, and has a camouflage influenced design, offset perfectly with dark purple drop shadows. The letters, which of course are perfectly sharp and well finished, create a wonderful frame for the central portrait by Jody.

Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Jody has actually painted a lot on the streets this year, which has been a huge bonus, and he has definitely saved one of his best for this end-of-year collaboration. There is a sadness and calm in the portrait, and it feels religious or spiritual in nature. Simply stunning.

5721. Sparke Evans Park (86)

Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023
Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023

Counterintuitively, now that I have a little bit more time on my hands during the Christmas break, I am finding it harder to make time to write my blog. Perhaps it is the disruption to my routines – and I am a grumpy old man who has become rather fond of routine, which makes me a good companion for the dog. Regular patterns work for both of us. Today’s piece is a piece by Nips in Sparke Evans Park.

Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023
Nips, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, December 2023

I haven’t posted all of Nips’ pieces, that I have seen, but will try to remedy this in the New Year, because I rather like her straightforward no-nonsense approach to graffiti writing. There is a lack of pretentiousness in her work, that is refreshing. The most notable thing about this piece is the outstanding fill design and execution. Modest and yet impactful, this is a really enjoyable piece from an artist I know little about.

5720. M32 roundabout J3 (536)

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Happy Christmas. Enjoy this magnificent ‘green man’ piece by Unity, which was painted as part of Pekoe’s RBF birthday paint jam in early December. It has a strong Christmas feel which is why I saved it for today. Where pagan meets Victorian Christmas.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

I mentioned a day or two ago that Unity is painting a little more often in Bristol, and it is so good that she is, especially when she creates something as special as this one. Enjoy your day wherever you are.

Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Unity, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

5719. M32 cycle path (242)

Biers, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023
Biers, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023

Biers has had a very busy couple of months, producing some rally nice work along the war. This is a fabulous WD40 piece on the M32 Cycle path, following his usual formula of his letters accompanied by a character, although this time the character is at the right-hand end, rather than peering through the hole of the ‘0’.

Biers, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023
Biers, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2023

The chrome writing is very nicely presented, although unless you knew it said WD40 is, in my view, very difficult to read. The character has defeated me, except I wonder if he is one of those little characters from Star Wars – Jawas I think they are called. Probably not, but my knowledge of popular culture is limited. May I wish you a very pleasant and restful Christmas Eve.

5718. Dean Lane skate park (671)

Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Good morning and happy Christmas Eve. A busy day for most, I expect, and definitely for me. One of my tasks today is to make a ‘Sussex Pond’ pudding, which is our alternative to Christmas pudding, which the kids and I don’t much care for. I’ll keep this short.

Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Wonderful work from Dibz, Fade and Jody, who have teamed up several times this year to produce some outstanding collaborations. This is a true collaboration where all the contributions are in the one piece. Jody painted the wolf, and Dibz the letters, so I expect that Fade painted the wonderful background.

Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Jody steals thee show a little with his magnificent wolf portrait in the centre of the piece. It is so good to see so many street pieces from him this year, and I hope he continues into next year.

5717. M32 roundabout J3 (535)

Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

This year, as in most recent years, Pekoe really celebrated her birthday in style with the RBF crew and associates. Wispa came along for the ride and painted this fabulous writing/character combination piece.

Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Wispa, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Unfortunately I don’t know who the rather cute character with attitude is, but she is painted as beautifully as you’d expect from Wispa, who always finished her work so well, with crispness and sharpness. All aspects of this piece come together really well. Bravo Wispa!