Skeleton

7350. Hillgrove Street (9)

Janey Mary Jean, Hillgrove Street, Bristol, November 2025

Hillgrove street is home to one of the most iconic pieces in Bristol, which I posted back in August 2015 and was my 18th street art post. Little did I think I would still be blogging about street art ten years later. I love it when I see the work of an artist new to me, and this shopfront piece by Janey Mary Jean is rather different and refreshing.

The piece is very much in keeping with the shop, The Haunted Bookshop, and is the first of what is, I believe, intended to be a monthly commission to decorate this wall, presumably with a spooky theme. Janey Mary Jean is an artist and apprentice tattooist based in Bristol. She painted this piece with a combination of spray cans and brush work. The piece depicts a skeleton riding a turquoise horse from a castle, and why not? But it is the smaller piece to the left that really caught my eye, an owl person fitting the space perfectly. I’ll be looking out for more from Janey from now on.

7302. Leonard Lane (53)

Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025

Alex Arnell certainly provides something a little different with his alarming sketched characters, adding to the vast spectrum of artistic styles we get to enjoy on the streets of Bristol. This piece was one of several from a recent trip to Leonard Lane by the artist.

In this piece, the skeletal ghostly figure emerges from the existing artwork on the wall, and the flowers that were there have been incorporated into Alex Arnell’s character as eyes on a tilted head. I like it when artists incorporate the surroundings into their art. Clever work from the visitor.

7115. River Avon (90)

Squarms, River Avon, Bristol, August 2025

There is something very charming about the stylised skeleton characters painted by Squarms. They are nicely designed and consistently presented, so that it is clear and obvious that they all belong to the Squarm stable. His work feels like that of a graphic designer taking his ideas to the street.

These two small pieces are so much more than quick throw ups. The grey background has been prepared nicely so that the skulls stand out with their soft pink and light grey drop shadows. Accomplished designs presented really well by Squarms.

7108. M32 Cycle path (293)

Tera, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2025

I have continued to dig out Tera pieces that I failed to post at the time they were painted, so this one from June is a little out of sequence, but demonstrates really well his development, which has been so rapid.

I’m not quite sure what the overall message here is, but when I see skeletons and gold coins, I think about avarice and comeuppance. A message that I am always mindful of, and one that reinforces my dislike of selfish billionaires, is that ‘you can’t take it with you’. This piece says that to me. It is a well-painted piece that, in part, reflects his accelerated progress, and highlights some of the areas he can sharpen up on, which, in fairness, he has been doing since painting this a couple of months back.

7084. Brunel Way (326)

Visiting artists are very welcome in Bristol and inject excitement and variation into what is already a vibrant community. Squarms visited in July and left a few skeletons about the place for us to find and admire.

These skeletons are on the recently buffed columns at the southern end of the Brunel Way Spot, known as Daveside by skaters (Correction, this little area is called Curb Side, a few meters away and across the road from Daveside). These sketched designs of dancing skeletons are most endearing, and capture a sense of energy and fun. The design formula works really well with the black and white bones set on a pink drop shadow. These characters stand out nicely of the grey buff (thank you, Bristol City Council!). More to come from Squarms.

7043. Cumberland Basin

Squarms, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2025

I think that this year, perhaps more than any other year, I have seen an increase in the number of visiting artists painting in Bristol, which tells me that it is very much a destination city for street/graffiti artists. This is, in my view, a really great thing and opens up opportunities to get acquainted with a huge diversity of artwork from across the country and beyond.

I’m not too sure exactly when these colourful skeletons, painted by Squarms, appeared, but it was probably around the same time as some others under Brunel Way, perhaps in late June. These skeletons are brilliantly presented and have a feel of graphic design about them, as if they could be found on cards, posters, t-shirts etc.. Something a little different to enjoy.

Rusty, burnt out scooter, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, February 2025

The end of the line

great memories are locked up

burnt out rusty shell

by Scooj

6162. Sparke Evans Park (99)

Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2024

If I were only allowed to keep my galleries of say ten street artists, Laic217 would be close to the top of the list. I feel like I have grown up (in terms of my interest in street/graffiti art) with him, and as he has improved and expanded his horizons, I have learned more and grown my expertise. We both have plenty of headroom, but our journeys have taken a parallel pathway, and that feels good.

This is a great piece on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park which reminds me a lot of the Hollywood horror film genre. I think it is the check shirt and baseball cap that do it along with the disfigured melting face, of course. This is what Laic217 does so well, and although the subject might not be to everyone’s taste, the technical skills must surely be admired. I loved stumbling across this one.

6119. Leonard Lane (47)

John D'oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024 — John D’oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2024

It is rather pleasing to be posting another stencil piece, there have been a rash of them lately, and especially one from John D’oh, who has been a little quiet over the last six months or so. This is one of a couple of pieces by the artist currently in Leonard Lane.

This philosophy, I am not sure if it is a quote (Update: it is a quote from the brilliant Chrisopher Walken) or a wisdom from John D’oh himself, is perhaps a message of our times and our collective obsession with consumption, upgrade and appearance. It reads:

“If you knew how quickly people forget the dead, you would stop living to impress people”.

I think that this is aimed at people with outer-directed values, a segment of our society that has ballooned since Thatcher came to power. The statement is accompanied by a skeleton character holding a spray can. Great work from John D’oh.

6114. M32 roundabout J3 (583)

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

This is an absolutely classic example of Laic217’s work. Technically and stylistically superb, the piece features two skeletons, one of which is DJing with a twin turntable and the other apparently having a great time.

The artistry in the greyscale piece is outstanding, with the story playing out really clearly. The decorative shapes bursting around the piece add a sense of movement and energy coming from the music, and the two gold touches, on the DJ’s hand and a tooth, are classy additions. I love the additional touch of LAIC217 appearing on the record label, rounding the whole thing off nicely. This is a truly fabulous and energetic piece from Laic217.

	paulh121 on 7352. Cumberland Basin
	Sheree on 7352. Cumberland Basin
	paulh121 on 7350. Hillgrove Street (9…
	Bill Bisgood on Thursday doors – 11 Dece…
	scooj on Thursday doors – 11 Dece…

	paulh121 on 7352. Cumberland Basin
	Sheree on 7352. Cumberland Basin
	paulh121 on 7350. Hillgrove Street (9…
	Bill Bisgood on Thursday doors – 11 Dece…
	scooj on Thursday doors – 11 Dece…

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