At first glance I was fooled into thinking that this piece was by Conrico, mainly based on the subject matter, but also a little o the style, but it didn’t quite feel right. It turns out it is by visiting artist Quale, as part of a chapter 17 World Wall Stylers paint jam challenge with the theme Ninja Scroll. Ninja Scroll is a 1993 Japanese animated jidaigeki–chanbara film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri – who knew?
Quale, Frome side, Bristol, November 2024
This piece (sorry about the glare, this wall is difficult to photograph) is stunning. It is so full of movement, and little pastiches from the film. I don’t know anything about Quale, but hope to see more in Bristol in the future.
Zaki Dee, Nicer, Fade and BG183, Ikea wall of fame, Bristol, October 2024
Something big happened in Bristol over 17-20 October in the Ikea car park, just off junction 2 of the M32. Goldie, a British music producer and DJ who is also an accomplished graffiti writer and whose work has appeared in Natural Adventures several times, organised an international paint jam to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his record label Metalheadz. In doing so, he invited artists from the New York-based Tats Cru to join a selection of Bristol artists, and some others from the UK and beyond.
The challenge was to paint a themed collaboration – the yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz (more on this another time) on this enormous wall. In doing so a new wall of fame was created, and one which I hope will host further such productions. This is the first in a series of photographs from the wall, starting at the left-hand end.
Zaki Dee, Nicer, Fade and BG183, Ikea wall of fame, Bristol, October 2024
In this first section, The writing is from Fade, who is no stranger to Natural Adventures, and he is accompanied by the rather gory witch character by Nicer, some floral decoration, running through the entire production, by Zaki Dee and a section of New York skyline by BG183.
I will be posting more from this incredible paint jam in due course, and hope to provide some sense of scale of the production.
Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Neddy Ned Neddy is one of those artists who paints from time to time in Bristol, but never enough to grace the pages of Natural Adventures all that often. It is always a pleasure to include his work, though, because his writing style is quite special and beautifully executed.
Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
In most of his pieces, the vanishing point for his drop shadow is located centrally behind the letters, which gives the illusion that they are hurtling towards you from the background. The flaming colour selection works well against the blue, and this is an all-round stonking burner.
This post is written in haste. By the time I publish it, I will be in the Derbyshire countryside looking at a beaver release scheme. The reintroduction of beavers in the right places is a huge asset for local communities. The dams create wetlands, slowing the effects of flooding downstream, and during droughts the water retention where beavers live create oases where all around has dried up and withered, and for the nature lovers, who doesn’t love having beavers back in the English countryside?
Stivs, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
This outstanding piece, by Stivs, is another of his epic character pieces. I don’t know who the character is, and a Google search has thrown up nothing. The character is painted in beautiful colours and has come together perfectly, with some sideways on perspective too. Alongside the robot (is it a robot?) are the words ‘Kill all humans’ which isn’t very friendly. The piece has survived pretty well, on a wall with a high turnover, and was still there when I last checked a couple of days ago. Great work from Stivs.
This is yet another colourful outburst of joy and movement from Grimes, and a piece to enjoy and savour. Grimes has been smashing it with every piece he paints, and Bristol spots are without a doubt more colourful places when one of his pieces is present.
Grimes, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2024
The three dimensional effect that Grimes creates in his work is outstanding, and this whole thing has the appearance of bursting out from the wall towards the viewer. Such is the energy in the piece it almost feels like an animation. The ‘fruit salad’ colours are beautifully distributed throughout the writing (Spelling GRIMES), and are set on a watery blue background, which is also full of swirling movement. In my eyes, this is a masterpiece of wildstyle writing.
Scrapyardspec, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2024
I am seeing an awful lot more crazy character pieces by Scrapyardspec appearing on the streets of Bristol, which, as I said in a previous post, leads me to believe that he might have moved somewhere more local to the city. I am finding new piece almost on a weekly basis now.
Scrapyardspec, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2024
This is quite a large specimen from Scrapyardspec on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park, squeezed in between writers. The monster character has all the features of a piece by the artist, that is to say, wibbly wobbly lines, crazy eyes, in this case three of them, and a tong hanging out from a goofy toothy mouth. More to come from Scrapyardspec soon.
It’s a funny thing, but I don’t know whether I simply haven’t registered Oust much in the past, or whether he is painting a little bit more often in Bristol, but I seem to be finding more Oust work about town these days.
Oust, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
This is a superb piece of writing, with all elements working well in harmony, although I think that the light blue of the letters is slightly washed out by some of the stronger colours around it. Obviously, the letters spell OUST and they have been filled with loads of patterning and symbols, mostly stars. There is a complex drop shadow in black and yellow and a busy red background. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Oust.
There is a simplicity and clarity in Zeks’ work, where less is definitely more. His child-like quality and themes work so very well. The autumn leaves in front of the piece complement the ‘blue sky’ background, so well, conjuring up visions of gorgeous autumn days.
Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
The combination piece is split into distinct halves, with a beautifully illustrated urban landscape to the left (looking like one of those 1960-70s cartoon series), which is so full of character. The writing in contrasting and bright colours spells out ZEKS, and is filled with interesting but unfussy shapes and designs. This is a delightful and calming piece from Zeks.
This is a fabulous Halloween combination piece from Nice One, and one of a series of outstanding artworks from this most modest of artists. I think that the font he uses contrasts so well with all around it, creating a fresh look in amongst all the styles and fonts we get used to.
Nice One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
The portrait of the Joker is brilliantly reproduced and suitably menacing, perfect for Halloween. I love the way that Nice One has only hinted at his letters, with most of them obscured or falling outside the frame. There is simply so much to enjoy from Nice One’s work at the moment… long may it last.
Completely unplanned I appear to have posted two chrome pieces in a row, from two artists that are known for the colourful work, Nips yesterday and Kid Krishna today. I’m not sure I have seen an entirely chrome and black piece from Kid Krishna before, but I like what I see, and it appears to have worked really well.
Kid Krishna, River Avon, Bristol, November 2024
The letters, as always spell out CRIE, and having spoken to Kid Krishna recently, we will soon know why he uses these letters. In the middle of this combination piece is a crazy cartoon character bursting out and looking rather sketch-like. A fun two-tone piece.
Natural adventures 