6706. Frome Side (51)

Bloem, Frome Side, Bristol, January 2025
Bloem, Frome Side, Bristol, January 2025

I never hide the fact that I am a huge admirer of Bloem’s work, whether it is her character pieces, scenes or graffiti writing. Bloem has transitioned seamlessly between her themes, and although she has only painted a few pieces of writing, her obvious talent and technique would make you think she had been a graffiti writer for some years.

Bloem, Frome Side, Bristol, January 2025
Bloem, Frome Side, Bristol, January 2025

The letters spelling BLOEM are imaginatively filled and well where the solids are blended perfectly, and the patterns are delightful. The ‘O’ is a character with horns, which adds a little spice to the piece. Stepping back, the piece appears to be bursting through a wire mesh fence, which is a creative take on smashing through a wall, which is a common idea in graffiti writing. Very nice work indeed.

6700. M32 Cycle path (278)

Ryder and Jaksta, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025
Ryder and Jaksta, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025

Turnover on the M32 Cycle path has been fairly slow this winter, and I have reduced the frequency of my visits to the spot accordingly. On my last visit, however, I got really lucky and met Ryder and Jaksta, along with some of their friends, who were all painting together to celebrate Jaksta’s birthday. It appears that January is a big month for street art birthday paint jams.

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025

In this combination collaboration, Ryder has painted the letters RAKE and Jaksta the character. Painted on a good old-fashioned brick wall, this piece looks like a throwback to the 1980s. The graffiti writing by Ryder is superb, spelling out RAKE, and not only celebrates Jaksta’s birthday, but also 25 years of painting together.

Jaksta, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025
Jaksta, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2025

Jaksta is the cartoon character king, who manages to create incredible caricatures of people both famous and unknown. This is an absolute peach, and one of two pieces painted by the artist during this session. The exaggerated features and overized head are key components of Jaksta’s style, and would not look out of place in Montmatre’s (Paris) crazy art markets. A fabulous collaboration by the RAW duo.

6699. Purdown (83)

Daz Cat, Purdown, Bristol, January 2024
Daz Cat, Purdown, Bristol, January 2024

The derelict gun emplacement at Purdown is located within a fenced-off area which is home to a small herd of goats. I think that they are ‘employed’ to help the vegetation down. The presence of the goats makes my trips with the dog something of a challenge, because their smell and very existence drives him crazy, and I have to keep him on a very tight lead. This of course makes taking photographs all the more difficult, with many images blurry of at jaunty angles, when the dog pulls just as I take the shot. I did manage to get a couple of decent pictures of this fabulous goat character piece by Daz Cat.

Daz Cat, Purdown, Bristol, January 2024
Daz Cat, Purdown, Bristol, January 2024

Daz Cat continues to develop his style and his pieces are so much richer in content and style and offer a great deal of depth and context that was absent from his early ‘flat’ pieces. He is a great example of an artist who learns and improves all the time. There are other artists who tend to remain quite static and comfortable doing what they do. Both approaches are legitimate, although as an observer, watching the development is an added bonus. I hope the goats of Purdown appreciate this homage.

6694. Dean Lane skate park (801)

I am Ian, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
I am Ian, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025

I have a sense that 2025 is going to be a good one for street art in Bristol. Already January, a month that is traditionally rather slow, has been a very active period with loads of artists hitting the ground running. A signal that we could be in for a treat this year is the early appearance of Kid Crayon and I am Ian in Dean Lane.

I am Ian, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
I am Ian, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025

This skull piece by I am Ian is full of joy and humour. Painted in a mischievous cartoon style, the grinning skull is accompanied by the slogan ‘Here today, gone tomorrow’, which I guess is a brief description of our existence. The character is expertly painted, with some great shading and fine lines to create features and depth. A wonderful way to start the year.

6683. Sparke Evans Park (116)

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025

It would be great to know a little bit more about Wispa. She floats in and out of Bristol like a Willow the Wisp. Her Instagram is @willow_the_wispa, which might speak to her itinerant lifestyle. OK, news just in – I checked her Instagram that leads you to her web page, and here is an excerpt from her biography which helps to unravel the mystery somewhat:

I write Wispa, and am a female graffiti/street artist from the south of the U.K. I have been painting for 2 years. I paint all over the country, and have painted in Miami (United States) and Barcelona (Spain) as well as London, Bristol, Brighton and other U.K. spots I like to hit. Writers that really inspire are the likes of: Miss Motel (40hk), Samer, Dime, Isie Ldn, Spat, Zoegen (Miss Buns), Sterling & Skore.

Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025
Wispa, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2025

In this combination piece, part of a huge paint jam celebrating the birthdays of RBF friends Desi and Even, Wispa has painted some stunning letters and a Japanese animation character from the Studio Ghibli. The letters are beautifully laid out with great colour selections and wonderful fills, and the character is so very neat and tidy. Wispa is without doubt an extraordinarily talented artist.

6680. Greenbank (148)

Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025

Slightly coincidentally, I published a gallery of Mr Crawls’ work this morning, which included this wonderful bird character as the most recent picture in the gallery. Scroll back eighteen months or so, and this piece feels like it is a modernised version of one of the first pieces I saw by Mr Crawls. Something that both he and his painting partner Mote have done exceptionally well is gently upgrade their styles, and this one may be setting the scene for Mr Crawls for the year to come.

Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025

The bird portrait is highly stylised, rather than caricature, and the boxy look creates a completely different sensation for the viewer. Even though the lines are straight, for the most part, Mr Crawls has managed to squeeze out some expression and emotion in the bird’s face. There is a lot to like about this style, and I’ll be interested to see if he takes us in a new direction.

Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023
Mr Crawls, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2023

Mr Crawls

A gallery of fabulous character birds and monster pieces from the talented Mr Crawls

Instagram: @mr.crawls

All photographs by Scooj

Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2025
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, December 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, December 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, October 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2024
Mr Crawls, Purdown, Bristol, August 2024
Mr Crawls, Purdown, Bristol, August 2024
Mr Crawls, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2024
Mr Crawls, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol,July 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol,July 2024
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2024
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2024
Mr Crawls, Ashton Avenue, Bristol, July 2024
Mr Crawls, Ashton Avenue, Bristol, July 2024
Mr Crawls, Ashton Avenue, Bristol, July 2024
Mr Crawls, Ashton Avenue, Bristol, July 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Jubilee Street, Bristol, July 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Jubilee Street, Bristol, July 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2024
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol April 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol April 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2024
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2024
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2024
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2024
Mr Crawls, River Avon, Bristol, February 2024
Mr Crawls, River Avon, Bristol, February 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2024
Mote and Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, February 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, February 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2023
Mr Crawls, Greenbank, Bristol, January 2023
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2024
Mr Crawls and Mote, Jubilee Street, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Jubilee Street, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Peel Street Green, Bristol, November 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Peel Street Green, Bristol, November 2023
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls and Mote, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, Agust 2023
Mr Crawls, M32 roundabout, Bristol, Agust 2023
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Mr Crawls, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2023
Mr Crawls, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2023

6677. Dean Lane (799)

Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025

It brings me great joy when I come across new Kid Crayon pieces. He has been reasonably quiet over the last couple of years, which in a way is a good thing, because it signals that his work is going well, and being an artist/designer having plenty of work is always a positive.

Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
Kid Crayon, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025

This wall used to have three alcoves in it, and in fairness, was quite difficult to paint. For whatever reason, the council decided to fill the alcoves with breeze blocks, and I have to say that the unintended consequence was this new long wall, which artists have been enjoying ever since. Kid Crayon has used the full length of the wall to paint his letters in hi favoured pink. Each letter is in a distinct style, where the ‘O’ is a masked character incorporating a floating crayon. A nice tidy piece and great way to start the year.

6671. Stapleton Road

Jevoissoul and Omie, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025
Jevoissoul and Omie, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025

The new hoarding at the very top end of Stapleton Road has been colonised pretty quickly, and I can see it becoming a popular spot over the coming months. Omie and Jevoissoul have teamed up to paint one section of the virgin hoarding, and started off with a rather fetching pink background.

Jevoissoul, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025
Jevoissoul, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025

Jevoissoul is fast becoming one of the most active street artists in Bristol, with his stylised character faces and ‘SLOW’ writing appearing pretty much all over the city. Hardly a day passes without stumbling on another new piece. Since I first became aware of his work, his pieces have become much tighter, with strong, tidy black lines and solid fills. This is a good example of his improvement.

Omie, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025
Omie, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2025

Having met Omie over the Christmas break, it is so nice now to visualise the face and person behind the great writing. What I particularly like about Omie’s work is that every piece is utterly unique and different from anything else I have seen by him before. His creativity is admirable. I like the colours and the brush-stroke effect he has achieved with this piece. I wonder how long this collaboration will remain before others get to test out this new spot.

6666. Louisa Street (3)

Mote, Louisa Street, Bristol, December 2024
Mote, Louisa Street, Bristol, December 2024


Sometimes the simplest of pieces can be as pleasing as the most complex, and this is definitely a case of less is more. I find it quite difficult to date this piece by Mote, because it is the kind of piece he was turning out a year or two back, but it looks reasonably fresh and I don’t recall seeing it before.

Mote, Louisa Street, Bristol, December 2024
Mote, Louisa Street, Bristol, December 2024

The monster character is about as basic as you can get. Some features, a double border and minimal fill patterns. There is a charm and clarity in the piece that warrants its inclusion in Natural Adventures, that, and the fact that I am a fan of his work and will always try to include it if I can. Nice, clean, fun piece.