Stencil – Natural adventures

7701. North Street

I have passed this doorway many times, but I don’t think that I have previously photographed this stencil by Stewy, which was painted in May 2024, I think. The stencil is a portrait of Mark Stewart, English singer and founding member of Pop Group, and described as ‘the godfather of Bristol music’.

This is the second stencil I found during Upfest 2026, because I was doing a lot of wandering around and was rather ‘trigger-happy’ with my photographs. Stewy has a wonderful style and his monochrome stencils convey his subjects in an authentic and understated way. Fine stuff.

7698. East Street

During my rather long walks during Upfest I was lucky enough to find a few pieces that I hadn’t been aware of before, including this stencil piece by Stewy in East Street. Stewy’s work falls into two broad categories – wildlife stencils or portrait stencils of well known people.

This piece, squeezed in between a phone box and shopfront, features Martin Parr, an English documentary photographer and photojournalist who died in December last year. His major projects were rural communities (1975–1982), The Last Resort (1983–1985), The Cost of Living (1987–1989), Small World (1987–1994) and Common Sense (1995–1999). Stewy has a knack for producing these modest stencils of remarkable people in informal poses. Great piece, great placement.

7697. Leonard Lane (54)

John D'oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2026 — John D’oh, Leonard Lane, Bristol, May 2026

Leonard Lane is a narrow passageway that runs along the line of the old city wall in Bristol. It is a dark and dank place, but a good spot for graffiti right in the centre of town. If you don’t know about it, you won’t find it. It is one of my favourite spots, and John D’oh rather likes it there too.

This rather gloomy stencil incorporates words he has used alongside other images. This one with an old lady holding a sand glass is rather poignant, and reminds us to live life to the full. Watch out for more on this theme from John D’oh – to come.

7669. M32 roundabout J2 (26)

John D'oh, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2026 — John D’oh, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, April 2026

More from the irrepressible John D’oh and his gallery of column stencils underneath the M32 motorway. I have reason to believe that he has recently painted a whole load more in this spot, so I will be planning a jaunt over there soon, maybe even today.

The subject of this stencil is rather gloomy, with the Grim Reaper standing over a clock at two minutes to twelve and the ominous words ‘Time is ticking’. I guess for humanity. But then I hear the birds sing, and I am filled with hope.

7651. M32 roundabout J2 (25)

Another stencil from the production line that John D’oh seems to have been preparing over the winter and which is fast filling up the column space in this area underneath the M32.

This one is poking a bit of fun at the authorities who have by and large completely failed to suppress the Bristol street art scene. A sleeping policeman sitting on a fold-up chair has the words “Street art isn’t illegal until they catch you”, which isn’t technically correct, but the point is made. A lighthearted piece from John D’oh.

7646. M32 roundabout J2 (24)

Where to start? There is so much to unpick in this political stencil piece by John D’oh. I’m not sure that I can offer too many of my own thoughts that the piece provokes, but I am sure that they are shared to varying degrees by many.

The action of Israel (the state of) depicted by death handing over a flower to a small innocent child holding a teddy bear is very powerful and rather moving. The faux reassurance hiding behind the violence is what comes across most strongly. I could write an essay about this, but I am resisting the temptation and am time-limited. John D’oh doing what he does best.

7635. M32 roundabout J2 (23)

John D’oh presents us with another fun stencil from underneath the M32 motorway. This one dates itself, being an Easter piece. Here we see as presentation of the Easter Bunny that we may never have seen before.

The artist has an eye for seeing things in a slightly different way and is often trying to find humour in the benign or ordinary. I’m not sure that I’ll ever look at Easter eggs in the same way after seeing this.

7625. M32 roundabout J2 (21)

Another piece from John D’oh’s awesome outdoor gallery underneath the M32, this time adopting cartoon characters to describe a fairly laid-back Bristol lifestyle.

What better characters to adopt than a combination of Shaggy and Scooby Doo alongside a Bristol crocodile, all smoking weed and looking contented. I guess that Bristol is no different from any other western world city, but somehow this weed-smoking culture appears to have become inextricably linked to the place. A knowing stencil poking fun at at the city’s culture.

7621. M32 roundabout J2 (21)

I don’t think that John D’oh seems to have any intention of slowing down on his magnificent outdoor gallery underneath the M32. He appears to be adding new pieces on a regular basis, and I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying this rich vein of form from the stencil artist.

There is a lot of symbolism in this piece, although I can’t quite figure out the narrative. A strong woman in ancient classical clothing is standing confidently with a raised clenched fist. Behind her is a broken chain and an olive branch. The chain suggests human bondage, and the olive branch, peace. I am guessing that this is a piece of resistance during war, but that is my take on it. So much more still to come from this outdoor gallery.

7612. M32 roundabout J2 (20)

I expect that Popeye will be a familiar character for many, although post-millennial cohorts are unlikely to identify strongly or even at all with the iconic character. Certainly, John D’oh provides an indication of his likely age with this characterful stencil underneath the M32 motorway.

John D’oh skilfully blends the Popeye character with contemporary politics making a link between spinach greens and the Green Party, with the words ‘Eat green, vote green’. This is a particularly salient message with the upcoming local elections next month in which the Greens are expected to do rather well, picking up disaffected left of centre voters.

	hitandrun1964 on 7697. Leonard Lane (54)
	hitandrun1964 on 7696. Kensal Road
	M. on 7696. Kensal Road
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on 7696. Kensal Road
	Sheree on 7696. Kensal Road

	M. on 7697. Leonard Lane (54)
	hitandrun1964 on 7697. Leonard Lane (54)
	hitandrun1964 on 7696. Kensal Road
	M. on 7696. Kensal Road
	Wes Vinglun (aka) Ni… on 7696. Kensal Road

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