There are many artists in Bristol who have created their own unique stamp or style, but none more so than Nugmoose, whose surreal alien pieces entertain and confuse in equal measure. This is a recent one from the long wall in Cumberland Basin.
Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
I am not even going to attempt to decipher what is going on in this piece, but it is a mash-up of alien writing, plant-life, hoofed legs and a human face. The whole thing, painted in soft tones, hangs together nicely, and demonstrates so clearly the breadth and depth of street/graffiti art in our city.
I would think that it is fair to say that Nugmoose is one of the most original artists in Bristol, and his ‘organic alien’ style is unlike anything else we see in the city. He usually paints alongside Mommy Nature these days, but unfortunately, when I got to photograph this, her adjacent jelly piece had already been painted over. You’ve got to be quick in this game.
Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Quite what goes on in Nugmoose’s mind is unfathomable, but his pieces always generate a certain amount of curiosity. He has a way of combining alien writing with organic forms, and he has treated us to a couple of humanoid aliens, a squid-type creature and a couple of alien items of fast food, or so it looks. Weird and compelling.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023
It has been a pure joy to see the recent collaborative walls from Mommynature and Nugmoose and to see how their contrasting styles sit comfortably side by side. As seems typical when artists paint together, Mommynature is usually on the left and Nugmoose on the right.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023
The beautiful pigeon in front of a yellow sun is by Mommynature and clearly demonstrates her growing confidence with painting walls and owning her space. The stencil-effect of the piece is cleverly executed, too. To the right, Nugmoose has painted another avant-garde piece, the explanation of which is deeply rooted in his own imagination. There is some alien writing and alien forms, all presented in a rather trippy fashion. I am loving these two and look forward to their next creative collaboration.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
It would appear that Mommynature and Nugmoose are a cosy collaborating pair, who, together, are turning out some fabulous work at the moment. This is one of several recent collaborations that have appeared in some of the popular graffiti spots in Bristol.
Mommynature, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
I have noticed that, in common with other collaborative partnerships, when these two paint together, Mommynature (formerly known on Natural Adventures as Frog), tends to paint on the left and Nugmoose on the right. Mommynature returns to he frog character, who is sitting on a log, looking a little ‘tired and emotional’ after a party, as a snail, complete with cigarette, slowly passes by. A lovely story piece from Mommynature.
Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
To the right, is some alien writing from Nugmoose, that we have come to know and love, and parts of the writing are accompanied by alien objects, living or otherwise. The great thing about painting alien life is that it gives you great latitude to imagine, without being constrained by convention. I am loving the collaborations from these two, and look forward to seeing what they can do together this year.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
What a whole ton of fun in this collaboration from Frog and Nugmoose. At this point, I feel I need to update my blog, because I gave Frog her name a little while back, on account of her preference for painting frogs. It turns out that her Instagram name is Mommynature, and so that is what I shall be calling her from now on. (I might need to go back into my archive and change the name in previous posts).
Mommynature and Nugmoose, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
To the left, Mommynature has painted a fabulous banana, a fruit you don’t see enough of in street art (IMO). The banana is beautifully painted with some nice bubbles drifting about too. To the right is a curious piece of alien writing (perfectly executed) with a box of stuff – alien matter?, which is plugged into letters. The collaboration is an enjoyable and imaginative creation from these painting partners.
Mommynature and Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023Mommynature and Nugmoose, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2022Nugmoose, St Werburghs, Bristol June 2022Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2022Nugmoose, Peel Street Green, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022Nugmoose, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2021Nugmoose, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2021Nugmoose and Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2021Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021Nugmoose and Mudra, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2021Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2021
Frog and Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
This is not the first time I have seen this pairing on a collaborative wall, and I am sure it won’t be the last. I met them both while painting underneath Brunel Way. I already knew Nugmoose, but it was the first time I met the lady who paints frogs. I asked her what her ‘street art name’ was, but she said she was still working on it, so until I know more, I will call her Frog (see what I did there?).
Frog, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
To the left, Frog has painted a few frogs about the place, and they make a fine addition to the diversity of pieces in Bristol. I believe that she is quite early on in here street art presence and am really looking forward to watching her technique and compositions develop. This is a beauty, and the flowers and hat bring a narrative to the piece, which is a whole lot more than just a frog.
Nugmoose, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
To the right is another weird and mysterious piece from Nugmoose. It must be fun writing alien letters and confusing anyone trying to read them. The alien is proper alien, with no recognisable anthropomorphic features to identify with. These two demonstrate just what a fabulously varied offering we get in Bristol, and how blessed we are to see it all for free.
I was lucky enough to pass by this little wall when Nugmoose was painting it alongside a friend who has painted a few frogs in the area, but currently doesn’t yet have a ‘street name’. Nugmoose is an interesting artist who seems to take a sideways view of our world.
Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2022
Nugmoose accompanies his trademark alien writing with a character, of sorts, but it doesn’t seem to matter ho much I look at it, I just can’t make out what it is. It looks organic, so I wonder f it is an alien. I will have to ask him the next time I see him. What you can be sure of with Nugmoose is that his work will always be super-imaginative.
The columns under Brunel way are a real pain to photograph, and it would be infinitely preferable if they were square, with four faces, like the ones under the M32. No amount of complaining will make any difference, so you’ll have to make do with these slightly inferior images of a rather interesting piece from Nugmoose. (Nice to see a Mr Draws piece in the background).
Nugmoose, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2022
Nugmoose definitely has his own take and unique style of subject and painting, usually, if not always, built around a world of aliens. This rather satanic goat-alien is typical of his creativity, all wrapped up with some alien writing at the bottom of the piece. Not all street art is the same, and Nugmoose definitely pushes the boundaries.
This is the second piece of ‘alien’ writing that I am aware of by Nugmoose, both of which have been painted in the tunnel. Normally, we associate the artist with painting extraordinary and imaginative alien characters, but it is great to see him transpose his skill into writing.
Nugmoose, St Werburghs, Bristol June 2022
The interesting part about any writing from Nugmoose is that it is written in alien letters, so we can never know what it might say. It is quite a skill to be able to create imaginary letters and then use them to make graffiti writing, because there are no recognisable reference points. I’m not sure if it makes things easier or more difficult, because nobody is going to know if you have made a mistake. Gorgeous glowing bright green with a ‘plasma’ streak dancing around the piece.
Natural adventures 