Another H-bomb of colour and energy from Grimes, this time in Dean Lane. He really is quite incredible, the way that he generates so much movement through his pieces, which dazzle and amaze.
Grimes, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025
The colours in this piece are warm and fiery, with so many elements, each beautifully interlocking with its neighbours. If I were to liken this work to any other artist it would be Deamz, who left Bristol some years ago now, but who also created complex graffiti writing pieces. This is praise indeed for Grimes’ work. The finishing touch of a blue plasma border is nothing short of brilliant, offsetting the warm colours with a chilly edge.
Mr Crawls has had a good start to the year, but rather surprisingly, he hasn’t been painting with his friend Mote – I’m sure there are all sorts of good reasons why. I have loved watching the way Mr Crawls has been evolving his bird characters, and it feels like it is a journey that is still in its early stages.
Mr Crawls, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025
Here, Mr Crawls has painted one of his gulls (I am using the orange beak as an identifier, as there isn’t much more to go on), which is in a stylised cartoon form. Beautifully simple, but full of interest, with a fine bucket hat, asymmetric eyes and a couple of letters thrown into the bird’s neck. A wonderful character piece in the Deaner.
I caught up with Fade a couple of days ago, and he observed that I hadn’t posted much of his and Dibz’ work lately, He was right, but fortunately this collaboration was already in my pipeline, and is a timely reminder of their fantastic work. I would add that they have had a generally quiet start to the year, but are picking up the pace a bit now.
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
Unlike most of their collaborations, the three elements are a little bit fragmented. The writing from Dibz and Fade is distinct and there is no general colour theme, and the tank is a little bit out of context. Fade has gone for some beautifully finished letters, in the corners of which are a bunch of explosions. The writing is set on a nighttime cloudy sky.
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
That brings me on to the tank, which I assume is a joint effort. I don’t quite know what the tank represents, but I guess you could take your pick – Gaza, Ukraine or even a metaphor for Trump’s wreckless and aggressive international policies. Maybe it is just a nice picture of a tank.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
Dibz’ outstanding writing has a camouflage thing going on, but it is subtlely applied, and contrasts beautifully with the orange (but it looks like copper) 3D drop shadow. This wall has been a great place for Dibz and Fade to showcase their work, and recently, they have painted it again (keeping the tank intact) – to come soon.
I made a special trip down to Dean Lane to snap up some pieces by the PWA crew on the swimming pool wall, but was rather disappointed to see that they had been swiftly painted over, but as the saying goes, ‘you snooze, you lose’. There is no mercy and no rules when it comes to painting over other people’s work, but I do wish sometimes that bombers and writers in particular were a little bit more mindful about where they painted.
Teykem, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025
I have never come across Teykem before, and don’t have much in the way of background about his work. This piece has all the elements of graffiti writing, some nice letter shapes, and stripy drop shadow, but I would need to see more to know if this was a good example of Teykem’s work or not. It is, however, always good to introduce new artists to Natural Adventures.
Because of the frequency of my ’rounds’ around street art spots in Bristol, I try to get in three to four walks a week, I am more likely than not to bump into artists while they are painting, which usually ends up with a quick five-minute chat – enough time to build a rapport, but not too much to distract them from their painting. I was blessed to bump into Trafficity while he was painting this piece in Dean Lane, and had a good chat, with his broken English
Trafficity, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
I learned a thing or two during our conversation. I had often wondered whether there was a hidden word on the upper level of his letters, but he confirmed that there wasn’t, and said he’d never seen it that way before. Also, he informed me that the letters spell out ZIOS – I had always thought they said ZIOM. These things are always good to know. The form of his letters remains largely unchanged from piece to piece, only his colour schemes and decorations seem to change. This is a lovely piece, especially the shout-out, which says Stephen. Even if it isn’t me, I am going to claim it. Thank you Trafficity.
As if it were needed, this combination piece is further evidence that Jevoissoul is on an upward trajectory. Probably the most noticeable aspect of his improvement is the tightness of his work, and by that I mean his lines are clean and his fills tidy. When he first started out, His work felt a little cluttered and hurried, but I don’t get that feeling so much now.
Jevoissoul, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
To the left, our familiar character, complete with grimace, appears to be losing his cap, which creates a sense of movement in the piece. Jevoissoul’s artwork is becoming more sophisticated, with a two-tone light/shade aspect to the face. The letters also have a sense of movement, indicated by the black accent lines around the outside. Good colours and nicely blended horizontal strips fill the letters nicely. Perhaps there could be a little bit more interest in the letters themselves, but now I am just being picky.
I have been incredibly lucky recently with the timing of my walks and have met with several artists while they are painting, even yesterday bumping in to Hemper (second time in a week) and Hypo. On this particular visit to Dean Lane, I encountered ESKA and his partner, just as he was finishing up and taking photographs of the completed piece. What is weird is that I first met him in this exact spot last October.
ESKA, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
There is always a lot going on in ESKA’s work, which is filled with symbolism. His anamorphic letters are heavily disguised, and form the framework for some little micro-scenes about the place. Lots of shadows and archways with light, a little reminiscent of the perspective work of the Italian artist Gerogio De Chirico.
ESKA, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
The colours work really well together and if you step back the whole piece looks amazing, but it is not until you get up close that you start to notice a whole other world happening, for example there are little figures dotted all over the piece, each one casting a long shadow. This is a piece that needs to be studied as well as admired.
One of the best Christmas presents I received this year was a signed Inkie print from my wife, who managed to get down to the ‘Pipe and Slippers’ pub, while I was away, and catch up with the artist and some mutual friends. I don’t think that my wife made the link back to me, which is a pity because it all might have made a little more sense to him at the time. The print is a good one, and awaiting framing, along with dozens of other pieces of artwork I have accumulated.
Inkie, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
This lovely piece by Inkie is a tribute to an old friend of his Paul ‘Peewee’ Miller, who’d recently died. Inkie mentions on his Instagram that he painted this exact wall, presumably with Peewee, 36 years ago. That is going some.
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
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.
Lis (Le Imposter Design), Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
So it looks like Lis (Le Imposter Design) has found herself some cans (perhaps they were a Christmas present), and given some full-on spray-painting a go. I absolutely love it when artists get a taste for street art and broaden their horizons, and Lis has found the perfect spot for a bit of practise.
Lis (Le Imposter Design), Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2025
Naturally, her subject is still very much mushrooms, but this time without the precision of fine brushes to mark out the detail. When you move on to spray paint, everything has to be scaled up, but I have to say she has done a great job with these eyed fungi. I would think that she has used cans before, because these are nicely painted, and she has a steady hand, but sometimes people are simply naturals. I wonder where Lys will take us next… all aboard!
Natural adventures 