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.

6614. Cumberland Basin

Lee Roy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Lee Roy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

Not long ago, I met Lee Roy, whilst walking our respective dogs, and he informed me that he was hanging up his spray cans for a while, which was disappointing to hear, because I like his work and the way he expresses himself through it. However, this piece might signify a return for the anti-style(ish) writer.

Lee Roy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Lee Roy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

During his ‘lay-off’, he hasn’t lost his touch in the slightest, indeed, this is a rather sharp piece, beautifully presented and with an array of his favourite fill patterns and shapes. The purples and greys work well against the blight blue background, and this is a very fine ‘come back’ piece. Hoping this is more than a splash in the pan.

6611. Cumberland Basin.

Blam, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Blam, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

Seriously quick one today – I have loads of Christmas preparations (housework) still to do, and very little time to do it in. This is a nice mega-tag type of piece by an artist I don’t know much about, called Blam, who I believe might live in Bristol, and who paints occasional pieces.

Blam, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024
Blam, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2024

This spot is one I really like, and Blam has managed to fill the space well with this ultra-green combination piece.

6610. Cumberland Basin

Vane and Bnie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2024
Vane and Bnie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2024

This stunning collaboration from Vane and Bnie was painted a little while ago during a paint jam organised to wish Mena a swift recovery from her accident in Thailand. The character on the left is by Vane and the writing, spelling MENAS is by Bnie.

Vane and Bnie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2024
Vane and Bnie, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2024

The colour selection in this collaboration is really quite something, with the purples, pinks and mint green working exceptionally well together. I don’t get to see much artwork by Vane, and Bnie hasn’t painted too much this year, so this collaboration was bonus and a bit of a treat. I hope all the good vibes created during this paint jam have helped Mena on her journey to recovery.

6575. Cumberland Basin

Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

One of the reasons that I am able to dwell a little on going back through my archives is that the winter weather is finally getting the better of ‘fair-weather’ artists, and turnover has slowed considerably since the back end of November. Although it is never good to see a slow-down, the upside is that it does give me a bit of a breather and the chance to share some ‘forgotten’ pieces, including this fine collaboration from Noise and Zake.

Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

I have said it before, that Zake loves to team up with anyone who is willing to paint with him, and in this piece he has combined really well with Noise, incorporating his cartoon character as the ‘O’ of NOISE. The deep stripy drop shadow lifts the collaboration and unintentionally mirrors the teeth of Zake’s character. This is a really satisfying collaboration to see, from two of Bristol’s best artists.

6570. Cumberland Basin

Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

You might be able to detect that I have been rooting around in my archives again, which I like to do every once in a while, because there are so many pieces that I’d like to share, but that get left behind. How this amazing collaboration from Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council ever got omitted I’ll never know, but I am making up for it now.

Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

The three part piece is a wonderful co-creation in which all the distinctive elements come together seamlessly. The landscape background with hints of an oriental coastal scene is by Conrico and creates a wonderful setting for the letters of Acer One, that spell out WABI SABI in two sections either side of the centrepiece by Andy Council,

Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

The central portrait of a roaring tiger has everything you’d expect from a piece by Andy council where each of the elements of the tiger are ‘stitched’ together to form a coherent and, frankly, stunning whole. I think that the rose pink clouds emphasising the tiger head were painted by Conrico. The overall collaboration is a triumph of three very different styles coming together to create something truly excellent.

6564. Cumberland Basin

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

Abbie Laura Smith has pushed the creative boat out a little with this symmetrical wheatpaste stuck on a utility box in Cumberland Basin. Rather than being bilaterally symmetrical, the twin portraits are rotationally symmetrical, which I think might be a first on Natural Adventures.

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

I love the way that Abbie Laura Smith has introduced some colour into this paste-up, which features a portrait of a woman looking a little fed up, and perhaps sad. ALS has a wonderful way of representing hair, which almost looks like it is from a lino-cut that has been scored and printed. There are some subtle differences in the application of colour between the two portraits, such as the lips and distribution of pinks and reds in the hair. This is a wonderfully creative piece from our resident wheatpaster.

6551. Cumberland Basin

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

This is the second paste-up that I managed to find in Abbie Laura Smith’s latest blitz, and although I only found three pieces, I am sure that there would have been more. A little bit bedraggled, reflecting the damp conditions when I photographed this piece, the paste-up features a black and white image of a woman, reversed out in this instance, with writing incorporated throughout.

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

As with the last of her pieces that I posted, I can’t quite make out all the writing, but can pick up the odd line here or there, such as “The only chance left was goodbye” and “Keep that…”. Once again these might be sad or morose, but out of context it is difficult to know. Poignant pieces printed off on paper and pasted up in special places for the curious to look at.