Gatoloco (Kasoe), M32 cycle path, Bristol, July 2023
Visiting artists are always welcome in Bristol, and there is something comforting about artists who return, having painted some time in the past. Gatoloco has painted in the city before, but recently he left this lovely piece alongside the M32.
Gatoloco (Kasoe), M32 cycle path, Bristol, July 2023
Gatoloco has a very distinct style of chunky letters (KASOE) which in this piece sit over the top of what looks like some other letters, possibly ESK? Or perhaps I am over-thinking the whole thing. I am not usually a fan of browns in graffiti writing, but I think that Gatoloco has done a great job, and there is enough of the blood-red fill to lift the piece from its browniness. Great to see Gatoloco back in town.
Gatoloco (Kasoe), Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019Gatoloco (Kasoe), Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019
I bumped into Klashwhensober yesterday, the first time for a couple of months, and talked to him about these recent pieces from Dean Lane, and he told me that all three had been tagged, which is a bit disappointing, but at least I managed to get clean shots of them.
Klashwhensober, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2023
The blue and red split piece is another example of how Klashwhensober’s work has gone up a level recently. The two colours contrast really well, and the fill patterns reflect one another perfectly. Klashwhensober has also put in some shading on the letters to add a bit of depth. Where the colours meet, the letters appear to crumble into fragments. This is a fun and accomplished piece, and alongside his other two works demonstrates his versatility.
Klashwhensober, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2023
Although I am not certain, I think that all three pieces were painted in a very short space of time, perhaps in the same day. This second piece, in chrome, again spelling SOBER, is much flatter than the first one. Without the decoration the piece would be in danger of being a bit plain, but Klahwhensober doesn’t do plain, so he has added some purple cloudy frills and a wispy red ribbon running through the letters.
Klashwhensober, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2023
Finally, an orangee throw up completes the set, and although obviously a quick one, it is still finished nicely. I imagine that he was running low on orange paint, as it is fairly transparent in places. Altogether, a good display of the talent on offer from the always prolific Klahwhensober.
Fade, Dibz and Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2023
2023 has been the year of epic collaborations, under Brunel Way, at Dean Lane and at other spots in Bristol as well. Quite why there have been so many collaborations and paint jams this year is not clear, but perhaps it has something to do with being in a post-Covid era where friendships have been refreshed and cemented. Friendships and relationships have perhaps never been so important as we navigate our way through a period of political and social instability with the terrifying backdrop of war, and the biodiversity and climate crises.
Fade, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2023
Fade, Dibz and Rusk have joined up to paint this Pink Panther themed wall. Fade has hit the ground running since arriving in Bristol a few months ago, and is fast becoming a regular presence on the walls of south Bristol. Equally at home painting letters or characters, Fade has created a fabulous Blue Aardvark accompanied by some superb pink writing spelling out FADE, all finished immaculately.
Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2023
In the middle of the collaboration is some outstanding writing from Dibz flanked on the left with a beautifully depicted Pink Panther and on the right by Rusk’s Inspector. The blue and pink colour combination once again proving to be an absolute winner.
Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2023
Finally, to the right, is the Rusk piece painted in a typically classy style from one of my favourite writers in the city. Rusk’s continuous, joined-up letters are filled with pink and tan colours that fade beautifully, the bottom half of which has a kind of metallic bronze appearance. This is a highly accomplished and enjoyable collaboration from some of Bristol’s very best. We are truly blessed.
I am celebrating 500 posts from the M32 roundabout J3 with this magnificent graffiti writing piece by PWA’s Soap. My eye was drawn to it immediately, and for a fraction of a second I thought that Liverpool artist Lost Hills might have been in town for a visit. I thought this because Lost Hills Features Jake the Dog from the animation series Adventure Time in all of his work. But no, this was a Soap piece for sure.
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Soap has been developing his writing considerably over the last three or four years, and incorporating cartoon characters into his letters has been central to his look. The letters are usually fairly flexible, adding to the overall artwork of the piece, rather than being the central focus. Plenty going on here, lots of fill patterns and a general feel-good factor. Great colours too.
Lee Roy was just finishing off this piece when I turned up on my ’rounds’ and he made plenty of time to chat with me before packing up, which was kind of him. On the two occasions I have been lucky enough to meet him, I can honestly say he is one of the most gentle and likeable characters on the street art circuit (although to be honest, nearly every artist I have spoken to over the years have been thoroughly decent and generous with their time).
Lee Roy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
There is so much to like about this one. The blood-red background is the perfect backdrop to contrast with the lighter greeny blue letters. Lee Roy’s letters are that strange combination of being quite regimented in his own style, while at the same time being disorderly and anti-style in nature… he carries off this effect perfectly. There are plenty of fills to enhance the letters, and a fabulous selection of drops in greens and orange. I like this one a lot.
This is the first piece I have posted by Yield, but I am certain it will not be the last. I have plenty of photographs, mostly from the River Avon pathway area, of the artist’s writing, but this one in Peel Street Green appears to be on a slightly different level.
Yield, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023
There is a nice flow to the letters, almost a ribbon effect, an the blur and black fill patterns work nicely through the writing. Some classic features, such as arrows and dots provide interest and the pink background contrasts well with the blues. This is a decent piece of writing, and I will definitely feature more of Yield’s work in future posts.
Kosc is surely one of Bristol’s most talented and versatile artists painting at the moment. Whether he is painting portrait pieces of graffiti writing in a collaboration or alone, his work is always immaculate and extraordinarily creative.
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
This piece on the M32 roundabout is in his metallic/greyscale style and presents the letters KOSC with a little bit of disintegration between the S and K. Some trademark rivets in the letters add to the metallic look of the letter panels. A nicely thought out and executed piece from Kosc.
Chill, Zake, Face 1st and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2023
I am writing this last night in the full expectation that I will be heading off to the Cheltenham Paint Festival this morning, which means that in a short while, Natural Adventures will be awash with fabulous pieces from Cheltenham by artists from nearby and far, far away. On to this fine collaboration from the PWA crew, Chill, Zake, Face 1st and Soap.
Chill, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2023
There is a bit of a pirate theme going on (perhaps linked to PWA – Pirate Wall Art), and Chill kicks things off perfectly with this wonderful cartoon character wearing a bandana and brandishing a cutlass and crying out ‘AAARRRGH!!!’ The scar on the cheek and terrible teeth finish the character off brilliantly. A superb piece.
Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2023
Next up, Zake goes a little bit off-topic both in terms of a pirate theme and indeed the colour scheme too. His piece is fantastic and a bit of a return to the kind of faces he was painting a year or two ago. Tons of depth is achieved with clever use of shading, which is a speciality of the artist.
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2023
Face 1st duly returns us to the pirate theme with his character, complete with skull and crossbones eye patch, makes off with a treasure chest full of gold and jewellery. It is a brilliant piece full of mischief and movement and so utterly Fac 1st.
Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2023
Finally, Soap sticks with his graffiti writing, and continues the pirate theme and colour scheme. The letters spell out SOAP, and the Ice King ‘O’ is wearing an eye patch. The letter fills and dynamism of the piece are perfectly presented and add a distinctive element to the quartet of styles. A truly magnificent collaboration, so full of fun and mischief.
A rather nice bit of bubble writing, but what’s so special about that you might ask. The first thing that you might notice is that it is beautifully finished and much less crude than most throw ups painted in this kind of style. In short the piece has class.
SkyHigh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2023
Perhaps the reason it stands out is that it is by the superb SkyHigh, and if you look carefully the letters, with the tiger print pattern, read SKY! with the word ‘high’ written in black script in the middle. I guess that the artist was passing through, as he often visits Bristol with Roo to visit friends/relatives. Often we are treated to a large SkyHigh wall with his unique style of high-end block lettering, but not this time. Great to see all the same.
There has been a noticeable uptick in the quality of Klashwhensober’s work recently, and it feels like he has reached a new level. He is certainly broadening his horizons with letter styles and the introduction of ever-more sophisticated characters accompanying his letters.
Klashwhensober, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2023
In this recent piece from Dean Lane, Klashwhensober has gone for a simpler, smoother letter style which is very tidily finished. The fills of turquoise and orange blend well and are an eye-catching combination. The three little toadstools with faces on the right are a curious addition to the piece. Great work from Klashwhensober.
Natural adventures 