6704. Cumberland Basin

Andy Council and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Andy Council and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

There is never a time when it isn’t a genuine pleasure to come across an Acer One/Andy Council collaboration. These two have been painting together for a long time, and although their styles couldn’t be more different, there is a harmony in their work that is probably supported by their familiarity with one another.

Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

This wonderful composite creature piece by Andy Council is stitched together in his unique style. Andy has said that he is aiming to paint one dinosaur piece each month to celebrate 20 years since he painted his first. If this feathered velociraptor is anything to go by, we are in for a treat in 2025. I like the way that the cloudy puffs span across to Acer One’s piece.

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

Acer One is constantly inventing ways to dazzle us with his graphic lettering and design. Always executed to perfection, his pieces are quite different to anything else we see in Bristol. In this piece he has combined peace and heart symbols to come up with a single entity. It is beautiful and meaningful, and I expect we’ll see more of this icon from Acer One. A fine collaboration.

6682. Cumberland Basin

Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

It almost felt as though Dirtygypo had been forgotten. His pieces just weren’t appearing from last autumn onwards, and I was wondering whether he might have left town. It was great, therefore, to come across this recent piece in Cumberland Basin, and all is well.

Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I simply can’t make out Dirtygypo’s letters – I am beginning to think that the word ends with GG, but even then I am uncertain. There is plenty of movement in his letters and I like the incorporation of the character on the left-hand side. I’m sure that his work will all make a great deal more sense once I can decipher the writing.

6676. Cumberland Basin

Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

I met Grimes for the first time while he was laying down the foundations for this exceptional chrome piece. I have to say it is so much better than I was expecting it to turn out, which is saying something, because when it comes to Grimes’ work, the bar is already set pretty high. The artist is a lovely man, and we chatted for quite a while. One of the things I found out is that he has been living in Bristol for seven years, so I think I am going to have to revisit my archives to see if I can find any of his older work.

Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

This piece simply oozes class, and energy. Sometimes Chrome pieces, although impressive, and ‘a thing’ they are prone to being a little on the dull side. Not so with this explosive piece by Grimes. The chrome letters, spelling Grime, are filled with some nicely worked traditional patterning, but it is the sparks and plasma threads running through the piece that take it to the next level. Excellent work from the graffiti writer of the moment (‘says who?’ says me!).

6672. Cumberland Basin

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

I have met Mr Draws a great many times, which is not surprising, given the frequency with which both of us are out and about in the more popular graffiti spots of Bristol. I can honestly say that he is a gentle and really decent man, who’s good nature comes out in his light-hearted writing.

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

This transition piece was painted at the end of 2024 and start of 2025 (I hope not on New Year’s Eve itself). Some nice letters spelling out DRAW, and a rather tired and emotional looking Smiley positioned in the centre of the piece, perhaps representing some exuberant celebrating and welcoming of 2025.

6670. Cumberland Basin

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

After a reasonably quiet winter season, Acer One has pulled this beauty out of the hat. The piece is painted on a wall that Acer One has made his own over recent years, and this is a rather special instalment.

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

The stylised letters spell out ‘peace and love’ which are placed over a swirling ribbon of colour and a neutral grey background. Acer One specialises in his stylised fonts, and tends to execute them to perfection. A nice sentiment and great piece.

6662. Cumberland Basin

Rowdy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Rowdy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

A little while back, it looks like Ryder and Rowdy had a bit of fun in the north side of the Cumberland Basin area, with lots of small pieces dotted about the place. I am assuming this column piece was part of that session.

Rowdy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Rowdy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

This is so Rowdy… three crazy colourful cats, looking a little bit like children’s drawings. The colours work incredibly well on the pinky red colour of the column. A piece full of mischief and joy from one of the most established street artists in Bristol.

6649. Cumberland Basin

Biers, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Biers, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

For most of last year Biers kept his WD40 pieces going with some rhythm and regularity, but the combination character/writing pieces dropped off significantly. Is is almost as if he lost inspiration for his characters, which is a pity, because I believe they complement his letters nicely.

Biers, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Biers, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

This tidy piece of writing is nicely presented and uses the red, white, black and grey combination of colours that work so well in graffiti writing, and which Decay used to good effect for many years. The No Frills crew have been well represented in 2024, and long may that continue into this new year.

6627. Cumberland Basin

Pura Decadencia, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Pura Decadencia, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

It is that rather curious work week after Christmas, where not a lot really happens, especially with the New Year’s Day bank holiday stuck in the middle of it. Time to prepare for the year ahead and get the brain into gear. One thing that remains constant is the conveyor belt of street and graffiti art that appears on the streets of Bristol, come rain or shine, and subsequently, my recording of it. Tghis is a recent beauty by Pura Decadencia.

Pura Decadencia, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Pura Decadencia, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

For once, Pura Decadencia hasn’t included the lips and vampire teeth that have become synonymous with her work, allowing us to concentrate on her letters. Pura Decadencia pretty much always writes with large curvy bubble letters, and they are cleverly brought to life with great white accent lines that create a 3D effect. Her colours work nicely together and are lifted by the unusual pink and white striped background. Another wonderful piece from the artist.

6622. Cumberland Basin

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

Mr Draws has been represented on Natural Adventures month after month and year after year, and his presence is a testament to his determination and drive, even through periods of challenge and uncertainty. His work holds a special place in this blog.

Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Mr Draws, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

This bright piece in Cumberland Basin is a regular quick one from Mr Draws. The fills he has used are strong colours, but the paint is a little thin, which is often the case with oranges, reds and yellows. I rather like the subtle little green spots, highlighting the tops of the letters. I hope 2025 will be another strong and productive one from Mr Draws.

6619. Cumberland Basin

Sam Brentall, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Sam Brentnall, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

The Christmas break continues to be ultra-busy so I am rushing today’s posts a little. Normal service will resume in a few days. This piece, by Sam Brentnall is a wonderfully uncomplicated cartoon character dog holding a chicken, and whoever not?

Sam Brentall, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Sam Brentnall, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

I have only posted one of Sam Brentnall’s pieces before, which was up at Purdown, so coming across this one in the Cumberland Basin was a very pleasant surprise. His work really justifies the phrase ‘less is more’ and what I mean by that is the simplicity of the scene tells a story without overindulgent elaboration. I would definitely like to see more of Sam Brentnall’s work on the streets… perhaps in 2025.