You can be pretty certain that when Paul Monsters and Andy Council team up, you are going to get something rather special, and this collaboration in Cumberland Basin is definitely special. The two have combined their unique styles into a bit of a mash up piece, rather than painting side by side in what I would call a true collaboration.
Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
The colourful geometric shapes are by Paul Monsters and set the framework for a stunning Andy Council nautilus or ammonite, a large version of the icon he uses for his signature. Set on a black buffed wall the collaboration is truly outstanding, and all for free! So good to see these two collaborating, and I hope they plan to work together again some time.
I have always and will always love the work of Hire. Hire is one of a large contingent of Polish artists in Bristol, each one bringing something rather special to our city, and becoming part of its rich cultural heritage.
Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022
This is a beautiful piece of writing set on a deep rich red background, giving it something of a sumptuous feel. I have to confess that I am not quite sure what the repeating pattern of letters says, I am used to picking out the letters HIRE or BF, but this is a bit of a mystery. As an exercise in repetition is is a stunner, and you might have a bit of fun playing ‘spot the difference’ between the three sections. Fine work from Hire.
I passed this spot yesterday, and unfortunately this Ukraine piece from Mr Underbite has already been overpainted, which is a pity. Mr Underbite is another new artist to Bristol, and is following in the footsteps of artists like Enn Kay, Mote, Asre and Bogat, all of whom have been spraying like mad in the last few months, and all who have made recent debuts on the pages of Natural Adventures.
Mr. Underbite, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022
Mr Underbite paints this rather lovable character with an underbite, in a comic cartoon style. In this particular piece, painted in the familiar colours of the Ukrainian flag, Mr Underbite offers a simple message ‘pray for Ukraine’. Sobering and appropriate in these troubling times. More to come from this artist soon.
Doors 180 – Some doors from the city of Westminster, Greater London
I work as a civil servant, and my department is based in London, although I report to an office in Bristol. As we emerge into a new normal, my immediate team (four of us, each located in different parts of England) have decided to get together for meetings once a month in London at our main office. The most recent meeting was last Friday, and the walk from Westminster underground station to the department takes me past some rather grand doors. Here are some of them I thought worthy of sharing:
Number 3, carved wooden door with a superb masonry door surround, Westminster, London, April 2022Blue door with a fine stone arc, Westminster, London, April 2022Black door and fine steps, Westminster, London, April 2022Blue door with white iron work above, Westminster, London, April 2022Gateway doors, back entrance to Westminster School, Westminster, London, April 2022Ecliastical door with castellated surround, Westminster, London, April 2022Black door with a stunning carved timber surround , Westminster, London, April 2022
Perhaps I can bag another clutch of doors next time I return to the London office, that’s yer lot for now though.
May I wish you a pleasant weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Alas, this piece from Asre didn’t last very long, which is a pity, because this wall tends to have a very low turnover and the writing/character combination is a good one. Although Asre has only really come into my radar in the past six weeks or so, he has managed to become part of the furniture very quickly indeed.
Asre, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2022
This piece combines some fine writing skills with one of Asre’s faces, and certainly makes an impact immediately. I don’t know much about the artist, but prior to his pieces appearing in Bristol, I suspect he was painting elsewhere, because the work is very accomplished, and his face well practised. I believe this was a birthday tribute to self.
I met Mote for the first time, not long ago, when he was painting a small piece up at Purdown Battery, and what a thoroughly pleasant experience it was too. He told me that he had always wanted to paint and get out there hitting walls, but life had taken him down a different path. Mote now finds himself in a situation where he can paint, and my goodness he has been making up for lost time. Bristol is festooned with his work, but this is the first piece of his to appear on Natural Adventures.
Mote, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
Mote is another character artist, specialising in monsters. His pieces tend to be smallish, but creative and imaginative. Mote uses bright colours (a lot of green) in his work and likes to keep sharp, crisp lines – he takes a lot of time to create his work, but it is time well spent. Look out for a whole ton more from this artist over coming months.
Laic217 has thrown himself into demonstrating his support for Ukraine, which probably feels rather close to home, as a Polish person, in this his third war related piece in recent weeks. Unsigned, this piece is obviously the work of Laic217, and is both hard-hitting and poignant.
Laic217, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022
To express rage and anger at dictator Putin’s war through art is a very powerful thing, and Laic217 really captures the horrors being experienced in Ukraine every minute of every day. The blue and yellow neck scarf is nicely painted with superb folds in the fabric, and the hat says it all. Another slightly unconventional piece from Laic217, and one that chronicles the major issue of our time.
I have a feeling that you will be seeing a lot more of Bogat and his painting pal Asre on Natural Adventures over the coming weeks and months, as they have both been rather busy of late. This column piece by Bogat, might have been the first piece of his that I consciously knew was by him. Before this, I’m not sure He was on my radar.
Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022
Although this is perhaps not the best piece by Bogat, it is certainly striking and unmistakably his work. The writing in the brain is something I have seen before from another artist, but I don’t recall which one. The piece definitely stands out, and is a magnet for graffiti photographers like me, and Bogat’s work which is often tall and thin, definitely lends itself to columns.
A mural artist who is rapidly developing a name for herself in Bristol is Farrah, and some recent additions to her portfolio include this wonderful piece in Cattle Market Road.
Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022
Farrah, with her abstract pieces, seems to be as comfortable with a commission as she does with a roadside hoarding like this one, and there seems to be something of a civic appetite for her work, for example I have noticed a number of planters around the city that have been decorated with her work.
Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022
This particular piece has a rather summery feel to it, reminiscent of sunflowers. The brush strokes have a movement to them and the blending of colours is so skilfully done. Farrah is an artist on the up and up.
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