5178. M32 roundabout J3 (469)

Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

I was lucky enough to run into Hire and Cort when they were painting alongside each other on a rather lovely afternoon a week or two back. You don’t often get to see Hire’s work on this roundabout wall, so it was a pleasant surprise to see him painting there.

Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

As I would always expect, his piece oozes quality and class. Set on a wonderful blue background, Hire has spelled out HIRE and added a wonderful angry bunny accompaniment. Just in passing, this photograph illustrates the weight of decades of paint that has been plastered on this wall and which ripples and bubbles – at some point large chunks of paint will tumble off the wall under its own weight.

Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Hire, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

The letters are outstanding, and their uniformity of design is touching on calligraffiti. Little puffy clouds are intertwined with the letters. Of course, Hire has given us the extra light of a bunny, that is like a mega-tag for the artist.

3981. M32 roundabout J3 (349)

I guess it’s high time for another cute Kawaii piece from Maesyhook, so here it is for all to enjoy. Maesyhook has certainly brought something very different to the walls of Bristol and paints frequently enough to become a bit of a favourite of mine.

Maesyhook, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2021
Maesyhook, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2021

This piece sandwiched between two writers is painted in Maesyhook’s customary pink tones, and even the skull, lovingly held by the little bunny character, looks cute. Her work is a real antidote to the constant negative headlines and continuing Government narrative that seems to be more and more removed from ordinary people by the day, and provides a little glimmer of fun and enjoyment. Keep it up Maesyhook.

3550. The Bearpit (190)

Taking a trip through my archives is a bitter-sweet experience, and nothing sums that feeling up better than this wonderful old rabbit piece from Nevergiveup (Followmyrabbits). Bitter, because it was taken in The Bearpit in its prime, when artists had the freedom to paint the boards there without reproach and there was an atmosphere and creative buzz about the place. Two years ago, Bristol City Council turned this vibrant space into a sterile, utilitarian, CCTVd void… exactly what they wanted.

Nevergiveup, The Bearpit, Bristol, June 2017
Nevergiveup, The Bearpit, Bristol, June 2017

This is one of Nevergiveup’s early rabbits, and by looking at this you can see just how much his work has evolved since 2017, when he had only recently arrived in Bristol. He has certainly left his mark in the city since that time with literally hundreds of these little characters populating the city.

 

3623. Purdown HAA Battery (2)

It feels rather peculiar to be saying that I haven’t posted or even seen anything by Nevergiveup (AKA Followmyrabbits) for ages, because throughout 2018-2020 he was probably the most prolific street artist in Bristol. I was so pleased to find this rabbit up at Purdown, and from the look of it it seems to be quite recent, although I might be mistaken.

Nevergiveup, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021
Nevergiveup, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021

There is another give away that this is a more recent piece and that is it is signed Eldey, which is something the artist has only been doing for the last few months or so. How well his fills have developed over the years and his rabbits have become more and more individual. I really must do a gallery soon to show his progress over the years. Great to see this bunny.

3335. Cattle Market Road (7)

I found these bunnies quite a while back, but like to spread out my posts of Nevergiveup’s (Eldey’s) work otherwise you might get overwhelmed with cuddly rabbits and that simply wouldn’t do.

Nevergiveup, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Nevergiveup, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020

This pair of rather cool rabbits reside in the tunnel under Temple Meads station alongside a whole world of hidden and rather forgotten burners and throw ups. Unfortunately the taggers got to these rabbits long before I did, although I have a feeling I have some older pictures that might be cleaner in my archives – finding them would be troublesome though.

Nevergiveup, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Nevergiveup, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020

Looking like a comedy double act – Cannon and Ball or Little and Large spring to mind, these charming characters add a bit of fun to our ordinary lives.

3275. M32 Spot (87)

Welcome to the first day of November, and as we wake up in England, we prepare ourselves for a month-long lock down starting on Thursday. I don’t think I relish the prospect and it will be very tough for many people, however I believe it to be the right action to protect people like my mother and her partner, vulnerable and sick people.

It is a pity it comes on the back of ten years of self-imposed austerity, an ideological decision made by the Tory government. An already struggling nation are once again being asked to make sacrifices to protect an underfunded NHS. It didn’t have to pan out this way, but Johnson and his ERG-fuelled right-wingers have ruined this country all so that capitalism can offer its rewards to self-interested money makers, sod the rest of us.

Rant over. Some lovely bunnies in the M32 Spot for a bit of Autumn cheer From the tireless Nevergiveup (Followmyrabbits, Eldey)

Nevergiveup, M32 Spot, October 2020
Nevergiveup, M32 Spot, October 2020

A rather nice Pair of rabbits squeezed onto a column. That is some green!

3116. Dean Lane skate park (339)

Every year, usually in May I think, there is a special event held at Dean Lane skate park called Dean Lane Hardcore. It is a skating event with live music, where the good, the bad and the ugly of Bristol gather to hang out and have a great time. DLH is also a great time for street artists to show off their talent.

Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2020
Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2020

This piece shows three Nevergiveup rabbits holding up score cards to judge the skaters’ performances. The craziness of these guys reflects well the craziness of the event itself. Beautifully painted and perfectly in context, this little trio is a real winning piece.

3088. Dean Lane skate park (335)

A rather sweet pair of cuddly rabbits squeezed onto a small wall under the large ramp at Dean Lane skate park by none other than Nevergiveup or Followmyrabbits. Natural Adventures wouldn’t be Natural Adventures without regular posts containing these ubiquitous bunnies.

Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020

This pairing looks like a rather quick piece from Nevergiveup and I am guessing that it didn’t take too long, such is his expertise at creating these little characters. I suspect it was a quick one because the decoration is a little less elaborate than we have been used to of late. This wall gets tagged and dogged really quickly, so turnover here is very high. Nothing lasts long here, not even rabbits.

2997. Dean Lane skate park (323)

This pair of rabbits from Nevergiveup in Dean Lane appeared alongside at least two other bunny pieces by the artist at the end of May just as lock down restrictions were easing.

Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020

With every new rabbit, Nevergiveup is improving and fine-tuning his technique and adding subtle decorative motifs. If you take a look back at some of his work from two years ago, it is possible to see the dramatic improvement. These are a lovely pair.

2954. Dean Lane skate park (314)

Well, after a few weeks of riffling through my photograph archives due to the impacts of the coronavirus which slowed output of street art, I am pleased to say that things are improving. Artists are returning to walls being miindful of social distancing and over the last few days I have managed to take photographs of contemporary pieces, and where better to start than with a rabbit from Nevergiveup (@followmyrabbits).

Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Nevergiveup, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020

This particular fellow is a Cabbit ot Rarrot and is a bit of a reshaping of the usual rabbit character into a carrot. Why? I have no idea, but probably becausee he can. This piece was one of several from the artist in a Dean Lane session recently and how refreshing it is to see new vibrant art happening again on the streets of Bristol.