I am Stephen. I live in Bristol, UK. I decided to shorten my profile...to this: Wildlife, haiku, travel, streetart, psychogeography and my family. Not necessarily in that order.
I love it when artists get busy, and Zake has been super-busy of late. It is incredible how versatile he has become over the last few years, sticking to his roots of stylised portrait work, but expanding his repertoire of characters immeasurably.
Zake, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
This piece was painted as part of a trio alongside Daz Cat and Kool Hand in the St Agnes subway under the M32 roundabout. The rather weird character is all teeth and no hair, and judging from the blood vessel on his neck appears to be a little vexed about something. A really nice piece from Zake, who is pushing the boundaries with increasing frequency.
There has been a constant trickle of fabulous abstract graffiti writing from Mr Klue during the second half of this year, and it has been a genuine pleasure to see. Mr Klue is an artist who tends to ‘go to ground’ for periods of time, and it is good to know that he is in a productive phase at the moment.
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2022
The tunnel is a spot that Mr Klue favours, especially since the Stokes Croft area has seen a downturn in activity due to the gentrification going on in the area. This is a large KLUE from Mr Klue and has the added joy of a ‘mad Hatter’ character that he paints from time to time. Mr Klue’s work is so unique – I really don’t think I have seen anything like it anywhere else.
I can’t believe that this is only the fourth post from this charming spot on the Bristol to Bath cycle path. A place which showcases original art by people of all ages and abilities for the benefit of the local community… an urban treasure trove for those who like to explore and discover.
Creamylines, BB Gallery, Bristol, December 2022
I have featured several pieces by Creamylines this year, but this is a mini version of his imaginative creations, probably created with Posca pens or something similar, rather than spray cans. There is an element of hope and optimism in Creamylines’ work that offers something of an antidote to the constant onslaught of bad news, and I applaud him for it. There is also an ecclesiastical feel to his work, probably associations with the sun and its rays and the stained-glass appearance. Nice to see this one in this open-air free gallery.
An artist who has come on in leaps and bounds in 2022 is the irrepressible Desi, and here she is at Greenbank with one of her DEZI variants. It seems such a shame that these boards won’t be here for much longer and that all we will have to reflect on it the images captured, but that is the ephemeral nature of street art of course.
Desi, Greenbank, Bristol, November 2022
Painted over a 3F fino piece (you can see the top of his spray can), Desi has confidently sprayed these large letters which have lovely 3D drop shadows and a very nice transition in the fill from yellow to purple, and great use of reversed dots to add some interest in the fills. A really nice piece beautifully finished, and a major improvement on her early works a couple of years ago.
Mote always pleases with his clean and simple designs of monsters that can be found pretty much everywhere in Bristol. This beautiful (ugly) pair are on the small part of the curved wall in Dean Lane skate park.
Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
I think that Mote’s work is a great example of why it is important to buff a wall for best results. Imagine if these two characters were painted directly onto a messy wall without the clean background, the balance and status of the characters would be completely lost. I love these giant doodles, and have enjoyed the ride this year with Mote’s appearance on the Bristol scene. I am really looking forward to seeing how he can develop his style next year as he gains experience and new skills. Thanks for all the monsters.
A gallery of weird and wonderful alien creations from Bristol artist Unnamed
Instagram: removed at request of the artist
All pictures by Scooj
Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023Mommynature and Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023Mommynature and Nugmoose, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2022Nugmoose, St Werburghs, Bristol June 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2022Nugmoose, Peel Street Green, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2021Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2021Nugmoose and Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2021Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021Nugmoose and Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2021Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2021
I haven’t posted a piece by Alos for an absolute age, and I happen to know that he has been writing different letters, which makes it a bit difficult to ID his work, but thankfully he has made it easier with this one in Cumberland Basin.
Alos, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2022
I believe this was painted as part of a celebration paint jam for Solar’s birthday – I don’t know this for sure, but circumstantial evidence suggests it. This piece of writing is unusually structured and tidy with some nice green letters set on a blocky red background. The green letters are also fringed with a blocky edge. There is a little shout out to Solar. Something interesting and different from an artist who is regrettably under-represented on the pages of Natural Adventures.
Hemper and Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
This collaboration by Hemper and Hypo was painted at least a month ago, and I photographed it is November, I also photographed it this month as a way of reminding me to post it. It would appear that these two have been encouraging each other to get out more often lately, as they have painted together a few times in the latter part of the year.
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Hemper’s writing is never, ever duplicated. Every piece is a spanking brand new and creative design, way too complex to ever be repeated. This piece is a joy to behold, crazily explosive, with so much happening on each of his HEMS letters, and the graduated fills are simply perfect. Incredible writing from one of Bristol’s masters.
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
To the right, we have a rather calmer piece by Hypo, whose neat letters contain an interesting fill colour selection, not exactly what I would call natural bedfellows. It almost feels like two independent colour selections have been squished together and I’m not too sure it works as well as it might have done with other selections. But then again, what do I know? The letters are nicely crafted and this modest piece by Hypo is the perfect counterbalance to Hemper’s energetic piece.
I didn’t think my contempt for 12 years of Conservative Government could grow any larger, but their refusal to negotiate on salaries during a cost-of-living crisis and >10% inflation, is beyond belief. I have worked hard in the public sector my entire working life and over the last 10 years have been hit with a real-terms pay cut of 25%, which is frankly disgusting. I should be at the peak of my earning power but have been utterly neutered by this anti-public sector regime.
They have run down our public services deliberately, reducing them to the bare minimum service. Their solution… reform, which is code for privatisation.
Successive Tory Governments have asset-stripped the country, privatising transport, energy and utilities to favour wealth creation at the expense of public service. There is nothing left to sell, except the health service and education. I hate what this country has become. Greedy, avaricious, selfish, uncompassionate, xenophobic. Thank you, Margaret Thatcher, your legacy is alive and well in the UK.
Natural adventures 