A little while ago, when I was in the vicinity of Temple Meads station with a little time to kill, I picked up a few pieces, including this one from RichT. I have no real way of knowing how long it has been there, but it is dated 2024. A little bit of research indicates that it was painted in September alongside a Sepr piece (to come).
RichT, Chatterton Square, Bristol, October 2024
The striking two-tone sketch piece has the words ‘Never better’ with the letters encapsulated in little circles. Lots of flowers, a bird and some faces make up the rest of the piece. It almost feels like a study, without any central theme, which is fine and it is really nice and crisp. Doing two-tone pieces like this demonstrates great artistry, because there is nowhere to hide both in terms of design and execution. This is a nice piece from RichT.
This gorgeous story piece from Conrico somehow slipped under my radar, so on one of my routine visits to the Cycle path behind the Black Swan, I was thrilled to stumble across it. The Japanese street scene is full of atmosphere and ordinary life, with a woman cuddling a cat in the foreground.
Conrico, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2024
Conrico’s style looks more like a paint brush painting than anything created with a spray can, which says a lot about his application style of short bursts like brush strokes. His love affair with Japan and Japanese culture may seem at odds with Bristol culture, but is in fact a refreshing perspective and part of the amazing spectrum of work artwork we see in the city. I love this low-key piece.
It would seem that itinerant artist ESKA is staying in Bristol a little longer than I had been expecting… perhaps he is enjoying the opportunity to paint walls in Bristol too seductive. This is the third piece I have posted since his arrival, and I note that there is a new piece on the Cheltenham Road at The Carriageworks which I have yet to photograph.
ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA’s work is a whirlwind of letters, anamorphic shapes and symbolism which come together in perfect harmony aided by clever colour theming. This is a truly stunning piece. In future I think I will have to take a few close up shots of his work, because there is so much hidden detail in the piece, which really needs to be seen and studied. Sensational and unique stuff.
Very rarely, I venture into the tunnels and north under the M32 at the Junction 2 roundabout, and am always rewarded with one or two gems that lurk there. I have to say that I am surprised that this area isn’t a much more popular spot for street artists, as there is plenty of wall space and dozens of columns. This piece from Haka might have been here for some time, but I am posting it because I rather like it.
Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
The writing/character combination piece features the rather sweet Monster Munch Pickled Onion flavour monster, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the Sugar Puffs Honey Monster – perhaps they are cousins. Perhaps Haka was inspired by the snack when he painted this piece, as it is a slight deviation from his picture book characters. Great stuff, and I am pleased I took this little diversion from my usual rounds.
I think that an artist I ought to be more familiar with is Buser, but because I don’t venture out to L Dub all that often, he appears to be completely absent from my radar. I expect I might have photographed his pieces in the past, but not posted them, perhaps not knowing who painted them. Anyhow, this one is an absolute cracker on the Water Company pumping station.
Buser, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
The combination piece of writing and a Hellboy character works really well on mis wall. The writing spells out BUSER and has been put together with a very pleasing colour palette and is rather classy. I have never watched a Hellboy movie all the way through, they simply don’t grab my attention too much. Perhaps I should give them another go. Great work from Buser, and the first of many pieces on Natural Adventures I hope.
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Jest Soubriquet is an occasional visitor to Bristol, and his work is always welcome here. I have posted a couple of his portrait pieces on Natural Adventures this year, and this third one tucked away at the left-hand side of the long wall is a true beauty.
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
The portrait, painted with his trademark patchwork of colours, is accompanied by a cosmic cloud scene with colours taken from, but presented differently to those used in the portrait. The three triangles unintentionally (I think) give the portrait a ‘Statue of Liberty’ look, which once seen is very difficult to unsee. This is a really refreshing approach to portrait pieces, and I hope we see more from Jest Soubriquet before too long.
Vaiga, Jaksta and Neddy Ned Neddy, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
It is difficult for me to get to this Frome Side spot underneath the M32, when I have the dog with me, because access is perilous enough, even without a canine companion in tow. This means that my visits are sporadic at best, and I miss out on a lot of great artwork to be found there. This is a three artist collaboration from Vaiga, Jaksta and Neddy Ned Neddy.
Vaiga, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
I don’t know the work of Vaiga at all, and know nothing of the artist. Furthermore, it is difficult to find out more, because Vaiga doesn’t appear to have a social media presence. The black and white graffiti writing is beautifully presented in two halves and uses a tidy and distinctive font. This is a lovely piece of writing, although the tight blue border is a little smudged in one or two places (nit picking) This is a fine piece.
Jaksta, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
The centrepiece character is by the brilliant caricaturist Jaksta, who tipped me off about this piece a little while back. The brilliant portrait is a representation of Scarface, played by Al Pacino, is set in a Miami-style cityscape, which Jaksta used to hold on to the remains of the summer. A classy bit of character work, as always from this artist.
Neddy Ned Neddy, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
To the right is another great piece of wildstyle graffiti writing from Neddy Ned Neddy, whose work has appeared on Natural Adventures a couple of times before. Adopting the same two tone colour scheme as Vaiga, the piece oozes competence, experience and class. This is a wonderful triptych production well worth the trip.
Because I don’t go to L Dub (Lawrence Weston) all that often, there is always something new to look at when I do make it. I had been tipped-off to get myself over to L Dub by DJ Perks, before the heavy rains that were forecast flooded the tunnel, which was just the nudge I needed to go take a look. This fine collaboration from Dun Sum and Hypo on the Water Company building.
Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October, 2024
Dun Sum is unlike any other artist in the Bristol area. His work pretty much always depicts imaginary creatures, which draw on the anatomy of real creatures, giving them credibility over the fantastical. This bug-like character, sitting on a toadstool, is looking rather glum with its large eyes and downturned mouth. The piece is beautifully painted with affection for the character that comes across in the artwork.
Hypo, L Dub, Bristol, October, 2024
Hypo, who has been on fire lately, has come up with this chrome and white piece of graffiti writing that works brilliantly with the contrasting pink background. There is a degree of bilateral symmetry about the piece, especially at the two ends, the ‘H’ and the ‘O’. Hypo has once again smashed it with this piece.
Doors 284 – Doors from Exeter, Devon – Part II, October 2023
Another quick stroll through Exeter this week with a few more doors that I photographed on a 2 hour stay there last October. I hope you enjoy them:
Black door – white door, Exeter, October 2023
Blue door, Exeter, October 2023
Blue gate with artwork from None Here, Exeter, October 2023
Church door with characteristic Devon red sand stone walls, Exeter, October 2023
Grand green arched door, Exeter, October 2023
Recessed green door, Exeter, October 2023
Different doors in a shared doorway, Exeter, October 2023
Sorry, but a really quick one today. More from Exeter next time – may I wish you a spooky Halloween.
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 