Desi continues to grow and develop, and I think that this piece in Sparke Evans Park might be one her best to date. It is great to see her painting more frequently, and with each new piece she will gain more confidence and skill.
Desi, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
This is a really neat and tidy piece with the letters DESI beautifully filled with four horizontal colours with nice transitions. One of the additional things that works really well is the white accent dots that give the writing a bit of sparkle and depth. A Very nice addition to Desi’s portfolio.
This piece is a classic, classy and colourful piece of wildstyle graffiti writing from Dibz, on the end wall, home to countless brilliant pieces in the past. In my mind’s eye, this piece feels a bit like an ‘audition’ piece, technically brilliant and beautifully designed, but without a theme or backstory.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2022
Dibz has set the bar so high for writers in Bristol, and would suggest that it has had a knock-on effect, where it seems that the vast majority of writers strive to improve and perfect their letters and styles. With inspiration like this to draw on, who wouldn’t want to aspire to it?
I cannot express how much I am enjoying this ‘happy’ period from Face 1st. There is something new and fresh about his work at the moment, which you might only notice if you have been following his art for a while. Face 1st is concentrating a little more on his characters, nearly always laughing girls, but there is more movement and different poses entering into his work.
Face 1st, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2022
In this piece we have one of Face 1st’s letters and character pieces, with the letters FA and E broken up with a kick-dancing girl obscuring or being the C. The girl is striking a similar pose to one of his other recent pieces, which I posted a short while ago. Gotta love this one.
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 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.
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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).
Natural adventures 