With this character piece, Omie is demonstrating his versatility. We would normally associate his work with graffiti writing that isn’t tied down to any particular pattern or style, but here he has painted something altogether different, a robot.
Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
I think that the character is the Iron Giant from the animated film released in 1999, and a popular subject in street art and youth culture. In this nicely crafted and tender piece, the giant is holding a spray can, ready to do some decorating. A fine departure from Omie.
I tend to get quite excited when new artists begin to make a mark with their work, especially when you can see a style develop and confidence grow with each new piece. Astrea, who when I first encountered her operated under the moniker of HNH, is one such artist, and I am enjoying the challenge of finding her work in a variety of Bristol spots.
Astrea, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Astrea’s abstract style is different and refreshing. It looks like she has used paint brushes in this piece to be able to get such sharp lines. The overall effect is aesthetically pleasing with curved lines framing the whole thing nicely. The two-tone colour selection is very effective, although I think that the circle at the top should have been filed with the brilliant white used for the rest of the fills. Excellent and original work from Astrea.
I recently met Nice One for the first time, although he said that we had met before (I think that must have been before he was painting as Nice One), which I felt a bit bad about, because I like to try and remember these things. We had a great chat about all sorts of things, and I was able to tell him how much I was enjoying his work, and the superb way he combines his writing with characters and scenes – this piece being a perfect example of what I mean.
Nice One, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
This piece wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery, but here it is for the citizens of Bristol to enjoy. The concept is beautifully executed, a landscape with moody clouds above a tree-lined lake, and the letters, in Times New Roman font emerging like monoliths from the horizon. This is a fascinating piece that demonstrates Nice One’s modest talent. One of the most memorable pieces of the year in my view.
There are several graffiti writers in Bristol who simply write their letters in a broadly similar style and format from piece to piece. Nips is one of these artists, and her forte is in the colours and fill patterns she chooses.
Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Photographed late afternoon on a rather sunny day, the photographs have a bit of glare and probably don’t do the piece justice. Nips has used yellows, oranges and pinks, and blended them skilfully throughout the piece. Some contrasting squiggles and fabulous white feature lines finish what piece well. I am an admirer of her work, and have yet to meet the artist… it is simply a matter of time.
One of the functions of Natural Adventures is to document contemporary street art and graffiti writing in Bristol, where I might differ from others who do what I do, is that I like to show the full spectrum of artists, and not only cherry-pick the high-end stuff. This way, readers get to see everything that goes on in the city, warts and all, rather than seeing it through rose-tinted spectacles. New and emerging artists play an important role in the street art culture of the city. Some will give up, while others will keep at it and improve and some will become celebrated artists in timer, and it is good to be able to trace their work back – Natural Adventures is a place where that can happen.
Roma, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2024
This piece is by Roma, whose work has been appearing from place to place all around Bristol. I am always a fan of red/green combinations, and Roma has thrown in some purples into the fills for good measure. ROMA are fine letters to work with, pleasing on the eye and easy to remember. While there is a rather nice drop shadow, it is interesting to note that there are no borders in this piece, which is unusual with writers. Personally, I quite like borderless pieces (my own personal prejudice, because I find them impossible to paint). The white highlights give the piece a little lift. Expect to see more from Roma
An explosive and colourful piece by Nips on the long wall at Greenbank was a very welcome sight, especially as the turnover at this spot seems to have slowed down a litle, so finding anything new there is always rewarding.
Nips, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2024
Once again it is the fills that delight and Nips seems to specialise in beautiful designs and colour palettes for her letters. As ever, the letter form tends to remain reasonably regular from piece to piece, although the dot over the ‘i’ allows scope for variation, and here she has placed a simple heart icon in the pink circle. I am not 100% convinced by the green and blue border, the green in particular gets a little bit overwhelmed by the purple fills. Nice stuff from Nips.
This is the second piece by Butch that I have found and posted and I am very much hoping to find and share a whole bunch more. I like this kind of writing a lot, I am not sure why. The letters cascade down from left to right, increasing in size as you traverse along. The fills are interesting and unconventionally but effectively applied.
Butch, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2024
PLB (Placebo) are an interesting crew of artists, managing to keep below the radar, enjoying their anonymous status, unlike many other artists and crews in Bristol. Butch has used the ‘rivet’ look which makes the letters look like metal plates bolted together. The whole thing would look better with a bit of background or a buffed wall, but I have a feeling that is not Butch’s style.
Le Imposter Design, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2024
This is exactly the type of discovery I love to make, and highlights why I do what I do. The Bristol to Bath cycle path is a very busy thoroughfare for cyclists and walkers alike. The vast majority of footfall (or wheel-fall) passing the long hoarding alongside the Chocolate Factory development, will miss this little gem, and some of the larger gems here too, being more focussed on getting from A to B. Observers of the world, however’, will stop and enjoy treats like this one from another first-timer on Natural Adventures, Le Imposter Design.
Le Imposter Design, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2024
This modest design is dwarfed by the larger pieces of graffiti writing and street art surrounding it, and is easily overlooked, being at about knee to waist height. The art piece sets out a wonderful view out of a window and onto the street. There are lots of little details to enjoy, the plant and pot, coffee with a heart shape in the froth, some paperwork, and even a stall and awning on a building across the street. Wonderful calming stuff in a frenetic spot. A big welcome to Le Imposter Design, I hope to see more of her work before too long.
Grimes has been smashing it all summer with his colourful and energetic pieces, and this one on the long hoarding at Greenbank simply adds another to his expanding portfolio. Sadly, we’re now entering the last days of the Raj with this particular spot, as the development of the site is nearing completion. It will be a sad day when the hoarding comes down, but illustrative of the temporary nature of street/graffiti art.
Grimes, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2024
The letters in ‘fruits of the forest’ colours spell out GRIME, and as ever have an incredible sense of movement about them. There is something rather lyrical about Grimes’ writing, if that makes any sense at all, like visual poetry. Another great piece from Grimes, and surely about time for a gallery?
Note to self… take better photographs. This piece is something of an outlier. It is by an artist called Whos, who is known for his anti-style writing, so when I first saw this it didn’t register that it might be by him. It was only after talking to Conrico at the Cheltenham Paint Festival who confirmed that it was indeed by Whos and that Conrico, while painting to the left of this piece, encouraged Whos to push the boundaries.
Whos, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2024
This urban landscape, making up the letters WHOS, is really imaginative, and coming from an artist more used to the free from of anti-style graffiti writing, is a great effort. The dark industrial colours lend themselves very well to the piece and help to create a special atmosphere, which would not have been achieved with bright pinks and yellows etc. I really hope that Whos is encouraged by this foray into a world of opportunities is just the beginning… we’ll have to wait and see.
Natural adventures 