I think it is safe to say that Subtle is back, as this is the second of three recent pieces, although I have yet to locate the third. Seeing his large letters, which are anything but subtle, is like greeting an old friend, resuming the conversation where it was last cut off.
Subtle, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2025
It is a welcome thing indeed, after so many brown shades dominating so many pieces recently, to see the good old bedfellows pink and light blue featured here. Subtle’s large blue letters, with modest decorations, are augmented perfectly with pink circles and spots surrounding. Set on a black-buffed wall, this is a splendid announcement of ‘I’m back’.
There is something very comforting about wandering around a place that I don’t know very well, and stumbling across the familiar artist, in this case, not just familiar, but Bristol’s fabulous Mr Penfold.
Mr Penfold, Wharf Street, Leeds, May 2025
Mr Penfold has had a great deal of success with his commissions, and being invited to decorate this large building in the heart of Leeds must have been a real feather in his cap. It is interesting that alongside his colourful designs there is a lot of ‘white space’ which acts as a perfect counterbalance to his shapes and patterns. The building could risk looking too busy if all of it was ‘pimped’ a la Monsieur Penfold.
Mr Penfold, Wharf Street, Leeds, May 2025
I felt very much at home in my ancestral city, in the company of artwork from a Bristol artist, and the sun was shining. What’s not to like about such an occasion?
Lis (Le Imposter Design) continues on her street art journey, developing new ideas and techniques along the way. Imagination and creativity seem to come quite easily to her and every new piece is distinct and quite different from the last.
Lis, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
Described as a ‘silly one’ by Lis, this looks like an alien piece, with the words ‘They’re coming’ in rather nice neon-style writing at the top. The character shows some development, and although perhaps not the greatest piece of art in the world, it demonstrates her desire to push boundaries and try out new ideas and styles. I am so much enjoying her journey.
There are a few graffiti writers emerging in Bristol, some that may have been around a while, whose work is straightforward and down to earth, such as Short, Maes and in this instance Mage. While they haven’t yet reached the top division of writers, their presence is an important component of the graffiti scene in the city.
Mage, Peel Street Green, Bristol, May 2025
I only really became conscious of Mage’s work in the last six months or so, and this is the first piece I have listed on Natural Adventures. This is a nice tidy chrome piece with an attractive red drop shadow set on a white wall and blue backdrop. A lovely finishing touch of blue plasma rounds the piece off nicely.
One of the earliest pieces I ever wrote about was a PWA collaboration in Wilder Street that I think Sikoh had been a part of, although his name might have been mentioned in dispatches. Sikoh might not be the most productive artist in Bristol, but he is certainly one of the most talented, able to create characters, scenes and superb anamorphic writing.
Sikoh, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2025
I would like to think that this extraordinary piece spells SIKOH, but I can’t quite make it out myself. The way that he has managed to create such enormous depth in these letters is remarkable, and the steel blue colours give the illusion of the piece being made out of hard metal or rock. The red highlight boxes elevate the piece to the next level. Bravo Sikoh!
Although the style and composition are familiar from Mr Draws in this piece in Dean Lane, the words are rather refreshing and different. Italian, the language of love, is just so good to listen to, and who can say the phrase ‘Bella Ciao’ or more commonly ‘Ciao Bella’ without doing so in a charming Italian accent?
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2025
The colour scheme is a curious one, especially as the top horizontal slice matches the background dark tone. Typically unpretentious and unfussy, this is a a nice piece from Mr Draws that occupies this long space rather well.
The Prince of Wales is my local pub, although broadly speaking I don’t go to the pub very often these days. For as long as I can remember, there has always been a mural on the pub, which changes every few years. This most recent incarnation is by the wonderful Hazard.
Hazard, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, May 2025
Hazard, Harriet Wood, used to live in Bristol and has featured on the pages of Natural Adventures many times. She has been elevated to superstar status, which is totally deserved, and paints a lot of commissions around the country. This piece is a wonderful nature scene – utterly uplifting in the bustle of the Cheltenham Road.
Hazard, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, May 2025
Floral scenes are a speciality in Hazard’s repertoire, but the eye is immediately drawn to the outstanding hummingbird in the centre of the mural. This is a truly stunning piece, showcasing Hazard’s awesome talent. Oh, and by the way, there is a secret beer patio round the back.
I’m beginning to regret ever having said that, unlike other street art hubs in the country, Bristol is rather light on paste ups. Ever since I first made that comment, I seem to have found wheatpastes all over the place. Whether I am just seeing more because I am looking more or whether there has been an influx, I cannot say, either way, it is good news.
Mauro Goblin, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2025
This is a stunning portrait piece by Mauro Goblin, an artist I believe from Valparaiso, Chile, featuring Beth Gibbons from local band Portishead. The stencil piece is sprayed on to paper which is then pasted up, hence the sharp edge around the portrait. A little bit of orange spray paint behind the piece significantly adds to the impact. What a privilege to have this piece in Bristol.
Doors 310 – Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, September 2023
This week I am taking you to a sleepy Lincolnshire town, once a celebrated seaside destination, but now a faded Victorian haunt where poverty and deprivation is intermingled with former prosperity.
I was lucky enough to visit Cleethorpes in September 2023 for the launch of the first of 25 new National Nature Reserves (NNR) being declared over a period of five years called the King’s Series in celebration of King Charles III coming to the throne. These National Nature Reserves are bigger, better and more joined up, allowing nature to overspill into surrounding areas. This first one (the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast NNR) spans a long stretch of the Lincolnshire coast adjacent to urban areas, providing opportunities for people to easily connect with nature on their own doorstep. It incorporated some already well established nature reserves, such as Donna Nook, famous for its seals.
While I was stopping over, I managed to get a long walk under my belt and snapped a few doors, which is pretty much my modus operandi wherever I go these days. I hope you enjoy these doors, and of course the mandatory English Victorian seaside town pier.
Cleethorpes Pier, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Victoria Hotel Garage doors, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Door and fine doorway to the re-purposed Cleethorpes Post Office, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Rather forlorn Beach Nightclub doors, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Pub door with a wonderful Tetley’s lamp, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Abdul’s wonderfully themed restaurant door, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Classic seaside town door and house frontage, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
A nice pair of red doors, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Superb blue door and Victorian gable fronted porch, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
The Mermaid fish and chips restaurant, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Doorway into the Mermaid fish and chips restaurant, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Classic seaside town beachfront food stall, shuttered up, Cleethorpes, England, September 2023
Before I went to Cleethorpes, my expectations were quite low, generally it is considered to be an ‘eyebrow raising’ moment when you tell anyone you are going to Cleethorpes, but I have to say I rather fell in love with the place. The coastline with its marshes is spectacular, the seafront shops and guest houses, and there is something rather wistful about the place.
I’m not sure where I’m going for Thursday doors next time – it’ll have to be a surprise.
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.
Natural adventures 