This gorgeous story piece from Conrico somehow slipped under my radar, so on one of my routine visits to the Cycle path behind the Black Swan, I was thrilled to stumble across it. The Japanese street scene is full of atmosphere and ordinary life, with a woman cuddling a cat in the foreground.
Conrico, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2024
Conrico’s style looks more like a paint brush painting than anything created with a spray can, which says a lot about his application style of short bursts like brush strokes. His love affair with Japan and Japanese culture may seem at odds with Bristol culture, but is in fact a refreshing perspective and part of the amazing spectrum of work artwork we see in the city. I love this low-key piece.
It would seem that itinerant artist ESKA is staying in Bristol a little longer than I had been expecting… perhaps he is enjoying the opportunity to paint walls in Bristol too seductive. This is the third piece I have posted since his arrival, and I note that there is a new piece on the Cheltenham Road at The Carriageworks which I have yet to photograph.
ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA’s work is a whirlwind of letters, anamorphic shapes and symbolism which come together in perfect harmony aided by clever colour theming. This is a truly stunning piece. In future I think I will have to take a few close up shots of his work, because there is so much hidden detail in the piece, which really needs to be seen and studied. Sensational and unique stuff.
Very rarely, I venture into the tunnels and north under the M32 at the Junction 2 roundabout, and am always rewarded with one or two gems that lurk there. I have to say that I am surprised that this area isn’t a much more popular spot for street artists, as there is plenty of wall space and dozens of columns. This piece from Haka might have been here for some time, but I am posting it because I rather like it.
Haka, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, October 2024
The writing/character combination piece features the rather sweet Monster Munch Pickled Onion flavour monster, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the Sugar Puffs Honey Monster – perhaps they are cousins. Perhaps Haka was inspired by the snack when he painted this piece, as it is a slight deviation from his picture book characters. Great stuff, and I am pleased I took this little diversion from my usual rounds.
I think that an artist I ought to be more familiar with is Buser, but because I don’t venture out to L Dub all that often, he appears to be completely absent from my radar. I expect I might have photographed his pieces in the past, but not posted them, perhaps not knowing who painted them. Anyhow, this one is an absolute cracker on the Water Company pumping station.
Buser, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
The combination piece of writing and a Hellboy character works really well on mis wall. The writing spells out BUSER and has been put together with a very pleasing colour palette and is rather classy. I have never watched a Hellboy movie all the way through, they simply don’t grab my attention too much. Perhaps I should give them another go. Great work from Buser, and the first of many pieces on Natural Adventures I hope.
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Jest Soubriquet is an occasional visitor to Bristol, and his work is always welcome here. I have posted a couple of his portrait pieces on Natural Adventures this year, and this third one tucked away at the left-hand side of the long wall is a true beauty.
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
The portrait, painted with his trademark patchwork of colours, is accompanied by a cosmic cloud scene with colours taken from, but presented differently to those used in the portrait. The three triangles unintentionally (I think) give the portrait a ‘Statue of Liberty’ look, which once seen is very difficult to unsee. This is a really refreshing approach to portrait pieces, and I hope we see more from Jest Soubriquet before too long.
Vaiga, Jaksta and Neddy Ned Neddy, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
It is difficult for me to get to this Frome Side spot underneath the M32, when I have the dog with me, because access is perilous enough, even without a canine companion in tow. This means that my visits are sporadic at best, and I miss out on a lot of great artwork to be found there. This is a three artist collaboration from Vaiga, Jaksta and Neddy Ned Neddy.
Vaiga, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
I don’t know the work of Vaiga at all, and know nothing of the artist. Furthermore, it is difficult to find out more, because Vaiga doesn’t appear to have a social media presence. The black and white graffiti writing is beautifully presented in two halves and uses a tidy and distinctive font. This is a lovely piece of writing, although the tight blue border is a little smudged in one or two places (nit picking) This is a fine piece.
Jaksta, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
The centrepiece character is by the brilliant caricaturist Jaksta, who tipped me off about this piece a little while back. The brilliant portrait is a representation of Scarface, played by Al Pacino, is set in a Miami-style cityscape, which Jaksta used to hold on to the remains of the summer. A classy bit of character work, as always from this artist.
Neddy Ned Neddy, Frome Side, Bristol, October 2024
To the right is another great piece of wildstyle graffiti writing from Neddy Ned Neddy, whose work has appeared on Natural Adventures a couple of times before. Adopting the same two tone colour scheme as Vaiga, the piece oozes competence, experience and class. This is a wonderful triptych production well worth the trip.
Because I don’t go to L Dub (Lawrence Weston) all that often, there is always something new to look at when I do make it. I had been tipped-off to get myself over to L Dub by DJ Perks, before the heavy rains that were forecast flooded the tunnel, which was just the nudge I needed to go take a look. This fine collaboration from Dun Sum and Hypo on the Water Company building.
Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October, 2024
Dun Sum is unlike any other artist in the Bristol area. His work pretty much always depicts imaginary creatures, which draw on the anatomy of real creatures, giving them credibility over the fantastical. This bug-like character, sitting on a toadstool, is looking rather glum with its large eyes and downturned mouth. The piece is beautifully painted with affection for the character that comes across in the artwork.
Hypo, L Dub, Bristol, October, 2024
Hypo, who has been on fire lately, has come up with this chrome and white piece of graffiti writing that works brilliantly with the contrasting pink background. There is a degree of bilateral symmetry about the piece, especially at the two ends, the ‘H’ and the ‘O’. Hypo has once again smashed it with this piece.
Although this piece by Mr Crawls was painted some time ago and not intended as a Halloween piece, it fits the bill nicely and is serendipitously next in the production line of pieces I have prepared in advance.
Mr Crawls, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, October 2024
It is incredible how Mr Crawls has become so established and known around Bristol for his character pieces and his collaborations with Mote. This stylised skull piece is a slight departure from Mr Crawl’s customary bird-themed work, but carries so many of the distinguishing features that he has been developing over recent months, such as the recessed eyes, and thin vertical lines, bringing emphasis to certain parts of the piece. Lovely work from Mr Crawls.
Kool Hand, Conrico, Pekoe and The Art of Sok, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
This year, Dean Lane has hosted a whole bunch of Halloween pieces, and this is the largest of the lot. The festive collaboration is from a line up of artists I would never have expected, and I don’t think that they have painted as a foursome together before. Kool Hand, Conrico, Pekoe and the Art of Sok have brought four distinctive styles together in this eclectic celebration.
Kool Hand, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Kool Hand starts the wall off with one of his customary baseball cap-wearing orangutans, although there is a touch of menace about the ape. Usually Kool Hand’s characters are rather fun, but this one is sinister, with bloodshot eyes missing pupils and a maggot crawling out of its nose. There is nice use of solid tones bringing light and shadow, and hence depth, to the piece.
Conrico, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
I have no idea what is going on in the Conrico piece, but it looks like a werewolf-type character is leaning against a gravestone on which the words “Here lies graveyard shift… a very naughty…” You’ll have to make up the rest yourself. The character is clutching a carved pumpkin and the whole thing is set in a Japanese landscape. Curious and wonderful.
Pekoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Next up is a great piece of writing from Pekoe in an altogether lighter style, where each of the letters is painted in an individual design and colour scheme. The ghost forming the letter ‘O’ is the obvious concession to the Halloween theme. Over the last couple of years, Pekoe’s writing has improved immeasurably and her confidence with it… you can sense there is an ease and comfort with the creation of this piece.
The Art of Sok, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2024
Finally, something evil from The Art of Sok. I have seen plenty of cartoon characters from the artist, but nothing quite like this. The monster looks like some kind of orc-inspired creature and provides edge to the collaboration. The Art of Sok’s style is so clean and crisp… There is a simplicity in his use of solid fills that betray incredible sophistication and skill, transferring cartoon-book sketches onto full sized walls. All in all a superb and varied collection of Halloween pieces from the quartet.
Rusk and Elvs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, October 2024
Getting into full swing with Halloween-related pieces, I bring you this magnificent collaboration from two great graffiti writers, Rusk and Elvs. Neither of these artists seem to be quite as productive as they have been in the past, but their presence is always good news, because of the quality of their work.
Rusk, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, October 2024
Dark colours, predominantly purples and blues, are the order of the day, or should I say night. Rusk has opted for a combination piece including both graffiti writing and a little cartoon Count Dracula character. The letters are clear and obvious and given emphasis with a layered 3D drop shadow. The character is a fabulous accompaniment and I wonder why Rusk doesn’t do more character pieces than he does. The piece is set on a spooky haunted house style background, which stretches across both pieces.
Elvs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, October 2024
To the right is a sensational piece by Elvs, whose work is utterly unique. Watching Elvs paint his pieces is fascinating because he starts with the fill shape, and then adds in all the borders and detail, bringing the letters ‘ELVS’ to life. The colour choices are amazing and work superbly well, that green drop shadow doing a great job. A wonderful spooky collaboration.
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