4433. Cumberland Basin

I think that I have photographed this column piece by John D’oh pretty much every time I have visited this spot, always with the intention of posting it, but somehow it hasn’t made it onto Natural Adventures. Well it has now, and is a great record of the crazy world we have been living in over the last two years. Capturing pieces like this is to record history as portrayed through the work of some amazing street artists.

John D'oh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
John D’oh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022

John D’oh has sprayed this witty stencil, reminding us to keep our social distancing to 2 metres which roughly translates to Bristol croc’s length. This references many local stories about a Bristol crocodile, thanks in no small part to another fine street artist, Rowdy. The Bristol crocodile story dates back to at least 2014, and relies on repeated sightings of crocodiles in various watercourses. Some are fakes and some are recently ‘dumped’ pet crocodiles that get released irresponsibly. The Bristol crocodile has become quite a thing though.

Thursday doors – 12 May 2022

Doors 183 – Westminster doors

You may recall that I occasionally have team meetings in London. Well, with a return to blended working, occasional has turned into regular monthly meetings, the most recent of which was last Friday. The office is in Westminster, and this time I decided to change my normal route to work from the tube station, to give myself a bit of a doorscursion through some of the more interesting bits of the City of Westminster.

No visit to Westminster is complete without at least a glance at Westminster Abbey, but there are many other notable buildings in the area, and some extraordinary offices and private homes too. I think that this selection shows off some truly magnificent doors that Westminster has to offer. I hope you enjoy these gems.

Westminster Abbey doors, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey doors, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey doors, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey doors, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
Doors on a building adjacent to the abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
Doors on a building adjacent to the abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, May 2022
The Supreme Court door and doorway with stunning carvings, Westminster, London, May 2022
The Supreme Court door and doorway with stunning carvings, Westminster, London, May 2022

There will be more doors from Westminster next time, but until then, may I wish you a very enjoyable weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors  from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

Mudra

A gallery of outstanding work from Bristol street artist and writer Mudra

Instagram: @mudra_creates

Website: Mudra creates

all photographs by Scooj

Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra, Kosc and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra, Kosc and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra and Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra and Peggy, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra and Peggy, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2022
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2022
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2022
Decay and Mudra, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Decay and Mudra, Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Mudra, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2022
Mudra, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022
Mudra and Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Mudra and Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2022
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2022
Flava136 and Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2021
Flava136 and Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, September 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, September 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2021
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2021
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2021
Nugmoose, Sage, Slakarts and Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Nugmoose, Sage, Slakarts and Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Nugmoose and Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2021
Nugmoose and Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2021
Mudra, Lawrence Hill Roundabout, Bristol, February 2021
Mudra, Lawrence Hill Roundabout, Bristol, February 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2020
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2020
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020

Transmission

.

In transmission mode

composing a note to self

listen more, talk less

.

by Scooj

4432. Dean Lane skate park (490)

This is a rather unexpected collaboration for a number of reasons, but is as welcome as it is unexpected. Chill and Smut combining to give us this beautiful piece of writing bookended with cartoon characters.

Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this collaboration is the change in style from Smut. His customary script writing has given way to something entirely different. The anamorphic letters are beautifully crafted and as you would expect from Smut painted with precision and a near-perfect orange border, which bleeds across into the two Chill characters.

Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022

To the left, the cartoon character is wearing a floppy hat and looking and pointing towards Smut’s letters. The black and white figure contrasting perfectly with the orange border.

Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022

To the right-hand side, and concluding the collaborative wall, is an almost mirror image of the opposite character, although this one is wearing a hoodie and baseball cap. The whole thing is a rather unlikely collaboration that comes together really nicely. Watch this space for some more experimental styles from Smut.

Chill and Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022
Chill and Smut, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2022

4431. Brunel Way (156)

On a regular basis, Maybe Paints manages to charm us with his imaginative and creative pieces, usually on the columns underneath Brunel Way. This piece, which is larger than many I have seen, was painted a couple of weeks ago at a height that would have required a ladder or platform to stand on – possibly an anti-tagging measure.

Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2022
Maybe, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2022

There is a tranquillity and serenity to most of Maybe’s work, and in this piece we see one of his stylised faces experiencing the start of the hay fever season, a significant moment in my annual cycle – the tree pollen has already got to me. Maybe’s technique of blending colours works so well, and his style is utterly unique in Bristol. I very much hope to see more from Maybe over the summer.

Good company

.

Curled up by my side

some call him a man’s best friend

my companion

.

by Scooj

4430. Greenbank (35)

Pretty much my favourite collaborations are those between Billy and Merny, their naive styles complement each other so well and they both tell fabulous stories with their paintings. This collaborative wall was painted a couple of weeks ago.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

To the left, as is usually the case with their collaborations, is Billy’s piece, that claims ‘it used to be different here’. It would appear that the piece is a commentary on the huge development that is going on on the other side of the hoardings. The woman in a strawberry dress, overlooking a new housing development, has the look of a Dick Bruna character, the artist who created Miffy the rabbit. Everything about this piece is perfect… the story, the artwork and the location.

Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

To the right of Billy’s piece is a rather bleak message from Merny in which a man, perhaps a teacher, is pointing at words on a board that read ‘no one cares’. I would suggest that maybe this is a reflection of the troubled times we live in where we have  an inept and out of touch government that is looking after the interests of the wealthy. The signature numbered labels create interest and humour to the piece.

Billy and Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Billy and Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

What a fabulous collaboration from these two. I was pleased to get photographs as often their pieces don’t last long, which is both irritation and disrespectful.

4429. Waterloo Street (3)

Every once in a while, something very special appears, and when it does it might just be on this wall or one of the adjacent walls, that tend to be left untouched for long periods of time. The special piece in question is this stunning collaborative effort from Andy Council and Soker.

Soker, Waterloo Street, Bristol, April 2022
Soker, Waterloo Street, Bristol, April 2022

Soker has really been pretty quiet over the last two years, but it is always worth waiting for his pieces when he finds time to paint. With this graffiti writing, set on a tangerine-sunset background, Soker has shown us what he is capable of, with gorgeous letters in full relief and stunning colour selections. This is simply too good.

Andy Council, Waterloo Street, Bristol, April 2022
Andy Council, Waterloo Street, Bristol, April 2022

Alongside his friend, Andy Council has painted one of his wonderful dinosaur pieces, it looks like some kind of Triceratops to me, with his clever ‘stitching’ style, where the component parts of the animal’s body appear to be stitched together with yellow thread. I love the way Andy Council’s work is developing and changing, showing that he is constantly pushing boundaries and improving (if that is at all possible). What a truly wonderful collaborative wall, and how blessed we are in Bristol to have these two outstanding artists.

Bias

.

Shameful BBC

no more benefit of doubt

Government mouthpiece

.

by Scooj