Skull – Natural adventures

7487. St Werburghs tunnel (571)

3Dom, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2026

Not so long ago, this huge chrome piece by 3Dom appeared alongside one by Stivs in the tunnel. It didn’t take long for someone to run a black line through them, but it didn’t do too much damage to the overall look of the piece.

I am going to break from tradition and say that I don’t really like this piece, there is a first for everything I suppose. For me it is just too big, and reduces any impact of the fine details and nuances that 3Dom has made his own. The skull, with a galactic space for a cranium, has cone walls for eyes. Obviously, there is some symbolism here, but I am not too clear what the story is. 3Dom’s catchphrase ‘call in sick’ makes an appearance alongside the piece. Not his best in my opinion.

7479. Cumberland Basin

Werm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2026

I was so pleased to find this piece by Werm, who like many other artists has struggled to paint this winter, I assume, because of the rain. Werm painted this spot some years ago with a skull piece, and I think that this is a throwback piece to the original painted in February 2023.

I guess you could call this a combination piece, although the skull and letters are discrete. On the left, the skull (from the cat family I guess) is beautifully observed, with some great shading to bring out the form and depth. The proportions work really well – skulls can be very difficult to paint. The writing on the right spells out WERM stacked, two letters on top of the other two. Overall, this is a fine work from Werm and almost like a study to practice his craft.

Werm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023

7461. St Werburghs tunnel (556)

Zinso, St Werburghs, Bristol, February, 2026

This is an interesting augmentation piece by Zinso, using the underlying work by Conrico to make his mark. This kind of addition takes us into the murky waters of convention and respect, particularly with this Conrico piece, which had only been present for a few days, celebrating Tera’s birthday. While I rather like augmentation pieces, I do feel that they should have a period of clear space between the original and the addition.

Zinso, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2026

The skull face that has been added is neat and crisp, and very much what you’d expect from Zinso. It also provides a totally different look and feel from the original by Conrico. As I have said many, many times on Natural Adventures, it is a jungle out there.

Conrico, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2026

7436. St Werburghs tunnel (562)

Tera, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2026

It was Tera’s birthday recently, and to celebrate, he gathered a few friends together for a paint jam. This was his celebration piece and it is difficult to believe that he has only been painting for about eight months or so.

Tera does like his satanic work, and it probably plays into his professional tattoo work themes. This is a superb combination piece of letters and a menacing horror skull character, surrounded by some beautifully worked scrolling. A nice present to self.

7387. Princess of Wales, Leyton Marshes, London

Sweet Toof, Princess of Wales, Leyton Marshes, London, December 2025

We have had a very busy Christmas period, doing lots of travelling and visiting of relatives. Just before Christmas, we met up with my niece and her three-month-old boy in a pub for a spot of lunch in Leyton Marshes and to meet the youngest (at that time) member of our family. It was a lovely opportunity to get to know the little chap. Naturally, I couldn’t help but notice some graffiti and street art dotted about the place.

Immediately outside the pub was this distinctive piece by Sweet Toof on a hoarding squished up against a tree. I have seen work by the artist in various places on my travels, including New York, and I know that he gets around a lot. I think that he operates out of London though, and I don’t see as much of his work that I’d like to. This was a serendipitous occasion, but the star of the show was my little great nephew.

7316. St Werburghs tunnel (546)

Feek, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2025

Feek rarely paints our streets these days, so seeing this piece in the tunnel for Minto’s birthday was a particular joy. His zany cartoon style lends itself so well to the street scene, offering mini stories and curiosities for those lucky enough to see his work.

In this humorous character piece, a rather fed-up brain is taking leave of the skull it belongs to, declaring ‘that’s it, I’m off’ while the hapless skull utters the word ‘wuh?’. An amusing story perfectly portrayed with clarity and detail. This is a lovely piece by Feek and a reminder of what we are missing.

7256. Peel Street Green (52)

3Dom, Peel Street Green, Bristol, September 2025

Is it really November already? It is all happening too fast for my liking. Over the years, this wall has been dominated by wonderful pieces by 3Dom, and this is another one in a top class series. It is a real ‘statement’ wall which is rarely tagged or spoilt in any way, and most pieces that appear here tend to remain for quite a while, although unusually 3Dom’s last piece here was very short-lived.

In pretty much all of 3Dom’s work, there are two notable things going on, firstly, his outstanding surreal artwork and secondly a strong story or message underpinning the piece. The skull is decorated with so many interesting features and details, such as the change of colour within the pink circle, the independently patterned eyes, and the floating lower jawbone. The messages ‘unity is power’ and ‘resistance is fertile’ (an amusing corruption of the Borg’s resistance is futile from Star Trek) speak of activism and speaking truth to power. More strength to 3Dom. A fine piece of street art.

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.

7056. St Werburghs tunnel (516)

Mind 49, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2025

Mind 49 has always been an activist, and although his art has mellowed in recent years, his principles are still very much intact. This anti-war piece is striking, poignant and beautifully presented.

Skulls are a common motif/subject in street art and this is one of the very best examples I have ever seen. Mind 49 has captured the tones, shading and depth perfectly. Strangely, the helmet almost seems as though it is painted by a completely different artist. It is lacking in detail, the perspective is slightly out and the flags a bit untidy. I don’t know why this is, whether it is a deliberate device or that Mind 49 has absolutely cracked the skull and needs to work on helmets. It is a mystery.

The message to take home is clear. ‘Destroy the war machine’, which is directed at the UK, the USA and Israel. I could go into a long and thoughtful essay about the war in Palestine, and the impotence of voices that want an end to the killing and suffering. History will not look favourably on the genocide and the parallels with WWII concentration camps and justifications for extermination. Can’t people see the paradox? I’ll stop there. It upsets me too much.

6926. Peel Street Green (41)

3Dom, Peel Street Green, Bristol, May 2025

Ordinarily, I would expect a 3Dom piece to stick around for a month or two at least, but this wonderful piece only lasted a couple of weeks, which is a shame, but at least it was painted over with a decent piece, and it wasn’t tagged or bombed.

There is always a great deal of symbolism in 3Dom’s work, and here is a large eye character bearing the heavy weight of a skull. There is so much more going on here than simply the idea. The colour selections, light cast, shadows and perspectives are all impeccably presented and sets a bar for character artists across the land. You might spot a yellow Mr Bloopy in the background too.

	hitandrun1964 on Blackthorn
	scooj on Seven ages of man
	scooj on Seven ages of man
	scooj on 7511. Sparke Evans Park (…
	scooj on 7503. Stapleton Road

	hitandrun1964 on Blackthorn
	scooj on Seven ages of man
	scooj on Seven ages of man
	scooj on 7511. Sparke Evans Park (…
	scooj on 7503. Stapleton Road

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