3648. Greenbank (7)

Set on the backdrop of a dramatic and moody sky is this lovely piece of graffiti writing from Bnie was painted a few weeks back during an RBF paint-in. Bnie is a writer whose work I really admire, it has a freshness and simplicity that works for me. That is not to say it is simple, far from it, more that it comes across cleanly and is easy to enjoy.

Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021
Bnie, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2021

The colour combinations in the letters contrast nicely with the patterned 3D shadows, and the ‘tie-dye’ effect of purples and whites is quite magnificent – more of that please! There is only one thing that I’m not too fond of, and that is the chocolate brown decoration on the perimeter – it is not my favourite street art colour. All in all another blinder.

3647. Dean Lane skate park (410)

I don’t know how he does it, but Dibz just keeps on turning out pieces of the highest quality with the minimum of fuss. No fanfare, no selfies, just a modest and quiet approach to his outstanding work.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021

This is a magnificent piece that draws on the genius of the Jurassic Park film franchise. I’m not sure what the ‘From up Above’ tag line refers to, probably a musical reference that is way over my head. The dinosaur logo is fantastically done, and in such sharp detail.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021

The writing too is skilfully done with two main colours fading horizontally, and the top half incorporating some red stripes into the green. Such a striking piece and another in a series that has kept people like me very happy over the last six months or so.

3645. St Werburghs tunnel (235)

This is a very nice piece that was fairly short-lived by visiting Liverpool artist Fierfear. I met him a couple of years ago at the other end of the tunnel, and it would seem that he makes annual pilgrimages to Bristol to do a spot of painting. Maybe he has friends or family here too. It is always good to see his work.

Fierfear, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2021
Fierfear, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2021

This piece, which I think reads ‘the FEAR rocker’ is nicely worked, and interestingly looks different from The styles you see in Bristol. I wonder if there is a regional difference in styles rather like dialects of the same language. I rather like the pink blobby fills that give structure to the piece. Nice work.

3642. M32 roundabout J3 (313)

Now who was it that said a leopard can’t change its spots? Because they were wrong. This particular leopard is Elvs and this piece is quite unlike the intricate and flamboyant pieces we are used to seeing from him.

Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021

This was painted a couple of weeks back and certainly came as a bit of a surprise. The bubble writing spelling ELVIS is topped with a satanic cartoon character amidst some fiery flames, so utterly not the customary fare from Elvs. Something more typical is in the photograph below. Great to see a bit of versatility from this superb graffiti writer.

Elvs, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2020
Elvs, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2020

3641. Dean Lane skate park (408)

It took me several goes to get a half-decent photograph of this rather nice piece from Dott Rotten. The first set of pictures were very dark for some reason and the second set had the palette board completely in the way. It kind of came together on the third attempt.

Dott Rotten, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021
Dott Rotten, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021

I learned a lot about Dott Rotten when I met him recently at the other end of town and told him that I was very much enjoying his current productive spell on the street, which he seemed to be enjoying too. This ska nice SPOILT piece with the 3D shadow dropping down vertically in blues and purples. One of a very fine series of pieces.

3634. Cumberland Basin

It would appear that this wall, after a considerable period of neglect is becoming a little popular. A week or two back there was a nice new collaboration from Mudra and Nugmoose. This has now been replaced with this more than half-decent piece from Pl8o.

Pl8o, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, April 2021
Pl8o, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, April 2021

I am very pleased to see that Pl8o seems to be active again after quite a long absence – he is another artist who has gone to ground for much of the lock down period. This is a delightful deep-shadowed piece of graffiti writing spelling out the artist’s moniker yellow to orange to black fades. His letters lend themselves very nicely to writing and there is something very easy on the eye about them. Great to see Pl8o back hitting walls again.

3632. M32 roundabout J3 (310)

Claro_que_sssnoh (grief… his name is difficult to type) and his Spanish fellows have been busy of late, actually it seems that most artists have, and my archive for March and April are swelling with unpublished pieces that will probably keep me busy well into retirement.

Claro_que_sssnoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Claro_que_sssnoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021

This is a lovely colourful HONS by this busy member of the HMR crew. His pieces are usually quite busy, with a lot going on in the letter and colour transitions, and his style is fairly distinctive, combining lots of curves with angular and regular straight lines. Always fun to see.

3631. St George skate park (13)

Sled One is a great champion for the ASK crew, and will often paint these animated letters in his inimitable style that creates so much movement and character. This is one of two such recent pieces.

Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021

The skate park at St George doesn’t have the best graffiti walls, most of the site is rolling mounds and shallow bowls, but this ramp and one at the other end offer graffiti artists some decent opportunities. This vibrant ASK would most likely have been freestyled and I imagine fairly quickly, such is the skill and talent of Sled One. More like this coming soon.

3628. M32 Spot (112)

Simply stunning! This is a magnificent piece of graffiti writing from Dott Rotten, notable as much for its fabulous and striking colours as it is for the fabulous design and technical excellence.

Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2021
Dott Rotten, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2021

I had a great chat with Dott Rotten last week, not far from here, and he told me that it hasn’t always been easy and that at one point he had considered giving up on graffiti writing altogether. Thank goodness he thought better of it as he is turning out some of the best work in Bristol at the moment. This is an instant classic in my eyes and yet another fine piece of work on this subterranean wall.

3627. Brunel Way (96)

Because of its association with graffiti and street art, Bristol is a bit of a magnet for visiting artists and what fortune that Kane Rose paid a visit while painting alongside the No Frills crew a few weeks back. I don’t know the artist, but know that he is a tattoo artists who also paints walls, like so many of our own Bristol artists.

Kane Rose, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021
Kane Rose, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2021

When I first saw this I wondered whether it might have been by SkyHigh, because there is a definite similarity of styles. I have to confess that I had to wait until I saw the piece appear on Instagram before I could be sure of the artist. The block letters, each with a different colour and style, on first inspection appears to spell USA, but I have a feeling it actually says UPSTART. A lovely piece.