4681. Sparke Evans Park (54)

Trafficity, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Trafficity, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022

It says ZIOM, but I have to admit that I struggle to see it sometimes, and it looks like there is a different word sitting along the top in blue shades, which looks like MOMM or MAMM, but I think it is just an artefact of the style of the artist. The artist is Trafficity, and his distinctive pieces are consistently well presented.

Trafficity, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Trafficity, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022

Trafficity is a member of the PAD crew, which includes Laic217 and Cort, although he tends not to paint as frequently as the others. The piece itself is composed of block letters with three discrete horizontal fills, and a little bit of extra ‘melty’ decoration along the bottom edge. Watch this space for something from my archive by Trafficity, coming soon.

4680. Lower Ashley Road (6)

I couldn’t start today’s post without paying tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Irrespective of one’s views about the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth has been a stable constant for our nation and many others, when all around her there has been chaos. It will feel slightly odd not having her around any more.

It is rare for anyone to give up their life to serve others (apart from in the public sector, of course), but to do so with composure, integrity, decency, objectivity and solemnity is special and something that our politicians, the people with the real power, could learn from. The contrast between the Queen’s behaviour and that of Johnson or Truss is stark. RIP QEII.

Taboo, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, August 2022
Taboo, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, August 2022

Our lives go on, and there is street art to consider. This is a real beauty from Taboo on an old shopfront that often attracts inferior throw ups, but not in this instance. I drive along this road fairly frequently, and I simply love seeing this writing/character piece, there is a lot of mischief in it.

Taboo, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, August 2022
Taboo, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, August 2022

The writing is typically asymmetrical and unconventional, spelling out TABOO, although that might not be entirely obvious at first sight. Of course, it is the Garfield character that steals the show… brilliantly painted and perfectly cheeky. I now have four Garfield pieces in my archives. One more and I might have to do a Garfield special post!

4681. M32 roundabout J3 (428)

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

It would appear that Kosc is enjoying his writing at the moment, and why not, with several pieces appearing lately. This one on the M32 roundabout is a classy beauty. Painted with all the confidence of an accomplished artist, the letters KOSC, with the characteristic ‘Kosc’ orange, have a kind of soft metallic look to them.

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

Letters are nothing new to Kosc, although his old letters were rather different from these, what remains is the class and talent of his work. The transitions are worked really well and the ‘raised’ centre-line of each letter creates a clever 3D effect. Overall a lovely piece, and nice surprise.

4677. Brunel Way (171)

Soker, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022
Soker, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022

There isn’t an awful lot more that I can say about the work of Soker that I haven’t already said in multiple previous posts. This one is uncomplicated but so utterly on point.

Soker, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022
Soker, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2022

This is a fantastic piece of writing, with well proportioned letter shapes, fabulously subtle shade progressions in the fills and a nice mauve bubble background. Perfection from Soker.

4673. Cattle Market Road (13)

Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022
Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022

The writing says MOTEL, don’t ask me why, but it is an interesting word to choose – perhaps it gives options for some good letter shapes. The artist has one of the best names on the scene – Dog Bless the Band – again don’t ask me where that comes from, sometimes it is better not to know these things as it takes away the mystery.

Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022
Dog Bless the Band, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, August 2022

One of the things that is consistent with all the Dog Bless the Band pieces that I have seen is the complex fills in muted tones. These subtle patterns are a refreshing change from the often brash shapes and colours that most fills are made of. I like to think of these fills by Dog Bless the Band as ‘muddy’ but in a good way, if that makes sense. I always love finding his special and unique work.

4670. River Avon (33)

Biers, River Avon, Bristol, August 2022
Biers, River Avon, Bristol, August 2022

I may have mentioned recently that Biers has been absolutely smashing it recently, and this Sherlock Holmes piece alongside the river confirms this rich vein of form. You can see more from Biers in this recently updated gallery of his work.

Biers, River Avon, Bristol, August 2022
Biers, River Avon, Bristol, August 2022

What I like about Biers (the name he was using when I first became aware of him) is that although his style remains ostensibly the same, he manages to completely reinvent his letters, this evolution so far being – BIERS – OHYEAH – WD40 -. In the last two reincarnations, he has used the ‘O’ or ‘0’ to act as a frame for his character. In this piece he has cleverly incorporated green colours commensurate with the outdoor clothing (deer-stalker and macintosh) of Sherlock Holmes. A belter.

4669. Sparke Evans Park (53)

Rusk, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Rusk, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022

After what seems like a very long absence, Upfest apart, Rusk has been hitting Bristol pretty hard lately, perhaps encouraged by his pal Zesk, who has been visiting and with whom he has painted a couple of collaborative walls. Anything that gets Rusk out painting has to be good.

Rusk, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Rusk, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022

This is an unusual and really rather beautifully designed piece from the writer. Spelling our RUSK in ‘ribbon’ letters and augmented with an abstract pink accent line, there is a great sense of proportion, colour tones and overall freshness that makes this piece an absolute classic. Not edgy, not rough and ready, but intelligent, well-thought-out and artistic. This is a next-level piece from Rusk (in my view).

4667. M32 Cycle path (185)

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2022
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2022

I think that I have photographed far more pieces by Desi than I have posted, and in my mind think I have posted more than I have. I will have to address this, as I’d like to do a gallery of her work, which is becoming more and more prominent about the place.

Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2022
Desi, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2022

Desi has recently taken to using a second form of letters ‘VEIL’ which demonstrated her increasing confidence and experimentation. In this piece we return to the more familiar letters in which she presents four horizontally arranged colours, with quite hard transitions and some bubble decoration. Always great to see Desi’s writing.

Crawdads

.

Listened to the book

movie night with my daughter

Where the Crawdads Sing

.

by Scooj

A masterful book, and I am very excited about seeing the film tonight. As a quiet and sensitive boy, I found myself and gained confidence through observing and becoming knowledgable about nature – a ‘nature boy’. I identified with some aspects of Kya and the way she absorbs herself in her environment, her habitat, while shutting out the rest of the world. The similarities end there.

Crawdad = Crayfish (for the Brits).

4666. M32 roundabout J3 (426)

Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

Haka seems to be having the time of his life recreating characters from children’s picture books, in particular by the authors Janet and Allan Ahlberg. The writing CKone is a tribute to a long-lost friend and graffiti writer Dan Fenlon who passed away some years ago. Haka has been including his moniker on his work ever since.

Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

I love the skeleton, from the ‘Funny Bones’ books by the Ahlbergs, and his speech bubble saying ‘let’s go painting’ is just perfect. I am thoroughly enjoying this rich vein of form that Haka is experiencing, and look forward to his next creation.