Every now and again in the tunnel you get to see a really classy piece of writing (in fact much more than just ocasionally – we are blessed) and this tight piece is by Gage Graphics, probably better known for some magnificent large murals arountd the city.
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020
There is something comforting about mural artists who make their living from their art getting back to grassroots and slapping some paint up on a wall like this. This is the work of someone who really gets what he’s doing and carries it off with ease. There are so many good things about this work, spelling out SERIF, but the cracks in the letters do the trick for me. Something of a rarity, but so very welcome.
On the opposite side of the Dare To building from the Smak piece in my previous post on Natural Adventures is a fine quintet of pieces of which this is one. Each piece hosts the writers name together with a little character. This gorgeous rhapsody in green is by Hemper.
Hemper, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2020
Spelling out HEMS, this intricate piece is absolutely amazing and incredibly detailed. The letters seem to pop out all over the place thanks to the skillful 3D shading effects. This is a work by a fine craftsman. I’m not too sure who the little green character is to the top left, but I think I recognise him from a contemporary cartoon series.
No signature, but who needs a signature when your work screams out Fiva? It feels like an eternity since Fiva hit any walls, but this is quite some comeback. I don’t need to tell you what it spells, but I am probably as curious as you are as to why he decided upon the word Puffin.
Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020
The piece is dedicated to Josie and perhaps the word puffin means something to her. The writing is big and bold, but I can assure you that just because it looks simple does not mean it is simple to do. For a start there are all those straight lines and the correct spacing between letters etc. There is an extremely nice touch with the grey shadows to the left and bottom of each letter. A magnificent piece. I tried to emulate one of his letters last year, with a rather disappointing result… very difficult to do.
Another stunner from Smak on the M32 roundabout and this time it is in beautiful gold and green colours with a slightly unexpected surprise pink and red highlighting the outer edges of the piece.
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
I found this without knowing it had been painted (always rewarding and it usually means that it is pretty fresh because it han’t appeared on Instagram). There is a kind of browny tinge all along the middle of the letters, giving the letters a bit of a 3D shiny feel to them. Belting statement piece.
This superb collaboration from Dibz and Shade One was a precursor to their Cheltenham Paint Festival collaboration in the Honeybourne Line tunnel painted last weekend. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the finished Cheltenham piece, but was privileged to watch the pair working together.
Dibz and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
This Dean Lane Piece is truly outstanding, and the quality of design and execution is of the highest order. I particularly like the blue bubbles, the largest of which provides the background for Shade One’s character on the right. What you see here is a near-perfect work from two very talented artists.
Dibz and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
As if to prove me wrong, here is yet another Mr Draws piece, and a rather nice little one at that. Since stating a little while ago that he wasn’t getting out much, I am now finding pieces all over the place. I was also fortunate enough to catch up with him at the Cheltenham Paint Festival last weekend, and noted that he too has grown a rather nice corona beard.
Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2020
The piece in St Werburghs tunnel Is deceiving because of the lights in the tunnel. It is actually chrome but the reflected light makes it look very gold on the right hand side. Some nice simple drops and blobs just lift the piece a little. Modest and fun.
I don’t know the artist Mr Hoops who painted this banging burner in Dean Lane, but if I were to liken it to anything it looks like a mash up in style of Soker and Hemper, both of whom I initially thought might have been behind the piece when I first saw it. So what I am basically saying is that I think it is very good indeed.
Mr Hoops, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
The letters spell out hope, something we can all relate to in these crazy times. Some great letter shapes and vibrant colours on a dark background and the inclusion of a magic hat combine to make this a most enjoyable piece to look at. I don’t think it lasted too long, but the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
A few days ago I commented that Mr Draws has been fairly slow out of the blocks since lock down restrictions eased, but I can safely say that he has now got back up to speed and he has returned to a steady pattern of spraying walls. I actually stopped for a chat with him yesterday at the Cheltenham Paint Festival and he was in good shape and is also sporting a very nice corona beard.
Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020
This piece plays into his current favour for horizontal Colour regimes in his pieces. I like the way he has gone for solid lines, no fusion of colours, and that some of the stripes are a bit wobbly. The white accents add a nice touch and create that 3D effect we’re always looking for. More pieces to come from Mr Draws.
Sometimes fate plays a part in our lives. Yesterday morning I gave my son a lift to friend’s house quite early because they were heading off for a day’s fishing. On the way back I stopped off at a few street art spots, the first of which was here underneath the M32. I just so happened to turn up as Ryder was finnishing off some rather lovely of graffiti writing.
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
I stopped for a while but tried not to break his rhythm because he had to be at work for 10am and needed to finish the piece off quickly. He said that he was really pleased with this piece, it had just worked out really nicely for him and that is good to hear because in my experience street artists are unerringly self-critical. It is a bit of a stunner, and the amazing thing is he created this in a little over an hour!.
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
As he was packing up he asked if I was heading off to the Cheltenham Paint Festival, which got me thinking. I hadn’t been planning on it, our weekends are a bit precious at the moment, but now I am giving quite a lot of thought to going tomorrow (which is partly why I am writing this post yesterday, almost immediately after coming home from taking these pictures, as I might not have time today (written yesterday as if tomorrow was today)).
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Finally, I am rather chuffed with the Scooj shout out. Little things matter, and that made me feel very happy.
I have a feeling that you are going to be seing a lot more from this artist (Mest) who is making his debut on Natural Adventures with this rather nice piece on the M32 roundabout. Mest has only crossed my radar over the last few months but in that time I have noticed his throw ups and burners appearinng all over the place.
Mest, M32 roundabout, Brisol, August 2020
This is rather a nice black and grey number with a bit of a flame effect around the outside of the letters MEST. The letters, which are broken up into blocks of colour have an unusual 3D shadow and a turquoise border. The letters are a combination of small and full caps and overall I think the writing is pretty good. There is lots more to come, so watch this space.
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