ART IS THE WEAPON

Wow, what a weekend that was! After giving my sister away at her wedding on Saturday, at 5am I raced to Bristol on Sunday for Upfest 2022, the best street art festival in the world! Despite having only one day to complete what should have been a two-day painting, I embraced the challenge, adapting my style on the fly with less detail, more freehand work, larger brushes, and a lot of Red Bull!

Honestly, I LOVE how it turned out. Sometimes, when you’re pushed to adapt, the results surprise you, in a good way. Even the brief rain couldn’t dampen the experience.

The day was an absolute blast. Thank you to everyone who stopped to chat. Big thanks to all the volunteers and the Upfest crew, especially Emma, you made it possible for me to juggle everything. You’re a star!

As for the painting, it’s a fierce, kick-ass woman ready to take on the world with art and maybe a fist! She embodies strength, resilience, and the power of creativity… With her blue hair and TMNT mask her comic book text bubble reads…’Art is the weapon’

Until next year, Bristol! Upfest never fails to remind me why I love street art and the amazing community it brings together.

WIP photo credits: Vicky Ward, Vera Mills & Rosie Mclay