Natural adventures

7703. North Street

I’ve been waiting a long time to photograph this shutter when it is both closed and doesn’t have a car parked in front of it. On one of my recent Upfest walks I got lucky. While Inkie is a graffiti legend in Bristol, he also has to make a living, and commission pieces like this one, however big or small, help to pay the bills.

Inkie has used a nice typeface for the words ‘Ashton Fruit & Veg’ which is easily identifiable as his work, but not as ‘Inkie’ as some of his pieces. Some fruit and vegetables decorate the bottom of the shutter and more Inkiesque rays and stars adorn the top. A nice jobbing piece from the artist.

7702. M32 roundabout J3 (776)

Bloem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026

Bloem is an absolute delight and always happy to have a chat while she is painting. I managed to catch her as she was finishing off this wonderful piece in the evening sun. It was painted alongside Lupa and Desi as part of a mini-paint jam.

The combination piece is quite sublime, with a stunning leopard spot fill and Betty Boop cartoon character. You can see from the image above how important the small details and highlights that are added at the end of a piece can turn it from a good work to an outstanding one. For example the white border tidies up all the edges and the starburst on the earring creates a focal point.

There are a few artists in Bristol whose work has a strong and positive impact on my sense of wellbeing, and Bloem is definitely one of them.

Roman Snail

Roman artefact

also known as escargot

grassland survivor

by Scooj

Roman snails are a naturalised species in the UK, thought to have been introduced by the Romans for food. This is the snail that is still prepared in France as ‘escargot’. However, some of the UK’s populations were decimated by people collecting them for cuisine or selling to such an extent that in 2008, the snails were given nearly total protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act in order to save the remaining colonies. (Taken from a rather interesting RHS article)

7701. North Street

I have passed this doorway many times, but I don’t think that I have previously photographed this stencil by Stewy, which was painted in May 2024, I think. The stencil is a portrait of Mark Stewart, English singer and founding member of Pop Group, and described as ‘the godfather of Bristol music’.

This is the second stencil I found during Upfest 2026, because I was doing a lot of wandering around and was rather ‘trigger-happy’ with my photographs. Stewy has a wonderful style and his monochrome stencils convey his subjects in an authentic and understated way. Fine stuff.

7700. Cumberland Basin

Rusty, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026

On a fairly regular basis a mixture of visiting and resident artists come to Bristol for a paint jam, which tend to include artists like ARSA, Corupt, RBN One, Solar etc, and very occasionally they are joined by Rusty (who in a previous post I referred to as Rusta).

I absolutely love the look of this anti-style graffiti writing. There is something really organic about it, and I like the sketchy quality of the black lines and fills. The impression this piece gives is one of freedom and spontaneity. The touches of orange add that little bit of extra class. A lovely piece of writing from Rusty.

7699. Macscot Road – Upfest 2024 (61)

Aspire, Upfest 2024, Mascot Road, Bristol, May 2026

It is not possible for me to capture every Upfest piece that is painted, especially so because Upfest is in addition to the everyday street and graffiti art that is painted on the streets of Bristol every day. Inevitably, I come across some of the ‘missed’ pieces from time to time, and I found this beauty recently painted by Aspire for Upfest 2024.

Originally from Bristol, Aspire now calls London his home, so it is always wonderful to have him back to leave his magnificent bird pieces. On this huge wall, a peacock takes up most of the space, but is accompanied by a kingfisher, a great tit and a blue tit.

Aspire’s detailed work and accurate representations of birds is awe-inspiring, and he has come such a long way from his early bird pieces that used to brighten up the streets of Bristol. His trademark pixelation patches mean that there is no need for a signature on this piece. You can see his development by checking out this updated gallery of his work.

Common Spotted Orchid

On Leckhampton Hill

at home in limestone grassland

delicate orchid

by Scooj

7698. East Street

During my rather long walks during Upfest I was lucky enough to find a few pieces that I hadn’t been aware of before, including this stencil piece by Stewy in East Street. Stewy’s work falls into two broad categories – wildlife stencils or portrait stencils of well known people.

This piece, squeezed in between a phone box and shopfront, features Martin Parr, an English documentary photographer and photojournalist who died in December last year. His major projects were rural communities (1975–1982), The Last Resort (1983–1985), The Cost of Living (1987–1989), Small World (1987–1994) and Common Sense (1995–1999). Stewy has a knack for producing these modest stencils of remarkable people in informal poses. Great piece, great placement.

7697. Leonard Lane (54)

John D'oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2026 — John D’oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2026

Leonard Lane is a narrow passageway that runs along the line of the old city wall in Bristol. It is a dark and dank place, but a good spot for graffiti right in the centre of town. If you don’t know about it, you won’t find it. It is one of my favourite spots, and John D’oh rather likes it there too.

This rather gloomy stencil incorporates words he has used alongside other images. This one with an old lady holding a sand glass is rather poignant, and reminds us to live life to the full. Watch out for more on this theme from John D’oh – to come.

Sub

A gallery of three letter graffiti writing documenting the rise and rise of Bristol-based artist Sub.

Instagram: @subsprays

All photographs by Scooj

	TiffanyArpDaleo on 7700. Cumberland Basin
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on 7703. North Street
	Laura Newhampshire on Roman Snail
	paulh121 on 7701. North Street
	hitandrun1964 on 7699. Macscot Road – Upf…

	TiffanyArpDaleo on 7700. Cumberland Basin
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on 7703. North Street
	Laura Newhampshire on Roman Snail
	paulh121 on 7701. North Street
	hitandrun1964 on 7699. Macscot Road – Upf…

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