There was a conspicuous absence of Christmas celebration street art in Bristol this year, or at least in any of the spots I visited over the holiday period. This might reflect Christmas fatigue, or perhaps a feeling that after a difficult year the mood was slightly downbeat. There was one small Christmas highlight, however, on the long wall at Cumberland Basin.
Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2025
Peggy teamed up with some RBF friends, and painted this lovely floral piece in Christmas colours. I can only think that Peggy has been very busy with her work this year, because her street pieces have been few and far between, so finding this one was a bit of a treat. I’m not too sure what the AIZA letters refer to… I might need to investigate.
The Prince of Wales is my local pub, although broadly speaking I don’t go to the pub very often these days. For as long as I can remember, there has always been a mural on the pub, which changes every few years. This most recent incarnation is by the wonderful Hazard.
Hazard, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, May 2025
Hazard, Harriet Wood, used to live in Bristol and has featured on the pages of Natural Adventures many times. She has been elevated to superstar status, which is totally deserved, and paints a lot of commissions around the country. This piece is a wonderful nature scene – utterly uplifting in the bustle of the Cheltenham Road.
Hazard, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, May 2025
Floral scenes are a speciality in Hazard’s repertoire, but the eye is immediately drawn to the outstanding hummingbird in the centre of the mural. This is a truly stunning piece, showcasing Hazard’s awesome talent. Oh, and by the way, there is a secret beer patio round the back.
Tucked away behind the railings and hedge that borders the swimming pool is this charming small floral piece by Peggy. At first I thought it might have been an old piece, because I know she has painted here before, but I am pretty certain that it is new, which is great news, because she hasn’t painted much this year, and I do like her work.
Peggy, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2024
This piece is so typical of her floral work, and it is great to see how she transitions her tattoo designs onto walls. There is symbolism in the piece, the flower has an eye. I am not too sure what it all means, but it is distinctive and curious. I hope Peggy hits the street more often in 2025.
Dave Bain is a reasonably well known muralist in Bristol, and I have featured a few of his pieces before in Natural Adventures. This was his Upfest 2024 piece, which as you can see took up the whole front of a terraced house, giving it that something special compared to its neighbours.
Dave Bain, Upfest 2024, Bristol, May 2024
Dave Bain’s imagination and creativity have run wild in this floral piece which combined familiar shapes and figures with abstract ones. There may be a little symbolism in the piece too, with a spaceman-like figure holding up a polyhedral shape on a starry background. I feel that sometimes Dave Bain could be a little bit more adventurous with his colours, because this colour palette is quite subtle, and perhaps doesn’t do the artwork justice (my view only). An interesting festival piece.
I am quite fortunate that my job takes me around the country from time to time, and I get to visit different cities. Of course, while I am passing by, I never pass up the opportunity to stroll about the place and take a few photographs. I have visited Leicester twice recently. Once before the Bring the Paint 2024 festival, and once afterwards. These pictures were taken afterwards, so the pieces are recent – unlike many pictures that I take as a visitor, which are often of old pieces. This is a fabulous collaboration from Philth and N4T4, who have teamed up at Upfest on several occasions.
Philth, High Street, Leicester, July 2024
Philth is known for his large floral repeating pattern pieces, which remind me so much of my childhood in the 1970s and the rebirth of elaborate wallpaper, mimicking our Victorian predecessors. This piece, in sumptuous colours is absolutely stunning and would look amazing if scaled up onto a larger wall, revealing more of the repetition.
N4T4, Leicester, High Street, July 2024
This gorgeous portrait is by N4T4, who, like Philth, is no stranger to Natural Adventures. There are actually two musicians featured in the piece, Gladys Knight (spelling?) and Jon1st, both painted with N4T4’s unusual patterning style that underpins and adds vibrancy to his work. A special and beautiful collaboration on the High Street for shoppers and visitors to enjoy.
Anna Higgie, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
There are some pieces that don’t require lengthy explanations or commentary because their beauty speaks for themselves and this gorgeous mural by Anna Higgie painted for Upfest 2024 is one of those.
Anna Higgie, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Anna Higgie is an illustrator, originally from Australia, but now based in Bristol and who works out of a studio in Stokes Croft. I have posted a couple of her pieces on Natural Adventures before, but I think her street work is occasional and that she focuses on her illustrations. This bright and striking floral piece is so good, and if I am honest, deserves a rather nicer wall than this one, but perhaps the beauty of the piece is enhanced by the slightly grubby surroundings. This piece could hang happily in a gallery or home (with a wall big enough)… for example my home! As ever at Upfest it is always gratifying to see a good mix of local, national and international artists represented.
It is a genuine privilege to have a stand out The Hass piece here on the Greenbank hoardings, which feels like it was a warm-up piece for his outstanding Upfest combination wall. This is street art of the highest calibre painted in a graffiti spot, and as such stands out a mile. Anyone passing by, and the cycle path gets a lot of footfall, would surely have to stop and admire such a thing of beauty.
The Hass, Greenbank, Bristol, May 2024
The piece falls into two distinct halves which merge in the middle. The left-hand side features a delightful floral design, so delicate and pretty and to the right The Hass has painted a representation of a stone sculpture head, which is reminiscent of the great pieces by PichiAvo.
The Hass, Greenbank, Bristol, May 2024
As a whole, this combination is a true masterpiece, and we are lucky in Bristol to have artists who turn out extraordinary work like this on a reasonably regular basis. This was one of the best surprises I have had on my ’rounds’ for quite a while.
The little passage alongside the swimming pool wall in Dean Lane is often full of surprises, and I was thrilled to find this lovely floral piece by Peggy, especially as she has been reasonably quiet over the winter.
Peggy, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2024
Peggy, who I guess has been busy with her tattooing, managed to find some time to create this display of leaves and, of course, a flower including an eye in the centre. Lots of symbolism tied up with the eye, but I am not too sure what it might mean. Peggy has chosen a nice palette of colours and finished the piece neatly. Perhaps this is a sign of more activity over the summer – fingers crossed.
Over the last year or so, we have become used to seeing Peggy’s wonderful floral works, starting with a few modest pieces in Dean Lane, to now, and some large, complex and bold pieces. I love watching street artists grow in confidence and ambition, and Peggy is establishing herself, while sticking to her essential floral designs.
Peggy, Leonard Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Leonard Lane is a bit of a ‘go to’ destination at the moment and is as colourful and vibrant as I have ever seen it. This piece bursts with energy and colour, lighting up the rather dimly lit alleyway. Lots of designed curls in pink, orange and yellow surround a central eye, in this piece that definitely grabs the attention. Great work from Peggy.