1999. Dean Lane skate park (187)

Clean, sharp, crisp, brilliant design and a touch and tone that altogether scream out the name Dibz. This is a really classy piece from the local artist, and if I have any complaints at all it is that we just don’t see enough of his work around the place.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019

Everything about this is good and even if you are not a fan of graffiti writing you must be able to appreciate the quality of this piece. From the cerise background, which acts as a brilliant host colour for the rest of the piece, to the split colours used in the lettering and the graded shading therein, this piece oozes quality. I could go on, but feel that I am in danger of sounding a little too unctuous and so will leave you to judge the piece for yourselves. It is good though.

1996. St Werburghs tunnel (60)

These two have collaborated a few times before and it is always a treat when they do. Somehow the styles of Tasha Bee and Mr Draws complement each other so well. Perhaps it is their love of lots of colour or their soft designs – I don’t know, but they work well together, and both such nice people too.

Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

There is something rather happy about Tasha Bee’s face, perhaps the hint of a smile…an enigmatic smile maybe? This is great to see, as some of her faces seem quite serene or sad even. Not this one. Maybe my eye is distracted a little by the big grin of a Fiva piece which they have painted over.

Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I have said it countless times before, but I make no bones about saying it again, I will never tire of Mr Draw’s work and his relentless productivity. Even when he’s not spraying walls, he is always working on sketches or paintings. The including of an uncertain smilie adds to the charm of this piece. A lovely collaboration.

1995. St Werburghs tunnel (59)

I am really interested in the evolution of Decay’s work, which seems to have been a focus for him since the beginning of the year. I am used to seeing his trademark black, white, grey and red pieces with concentric layers emanating from the centre. More recently he has been playing with a larger range of colours and trying new ideas. We still get to keep the little character though.

Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I really like this even if it takes a little getting used to, and if you haven’t yet worked it out, it is a piece of writing that clearly spells out DECAY once you get your eye in. Really looking forward to seeing more of this from Decay, and hoping to catch up with him again, it has been a long time since we last met.

Sled One

A collection of the most extraordinary character street art and graffiti writing by Bristol artist Sled One.

Instagram: @sledone

All photographs taken by Scooj

Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024
Sled One, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Sled One, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, March 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, March 2024
Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

1987. Upfest 2018 (123)

This stunning shutter piece is by Sake One, a West Coast (USA) artist who has been spraying since the early eighties and was greatly involved with the hip hop culture in San Diego during his youth. There is a thorough biography of the artist on the Upfest website, which is worth a read.

Sake One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Sake One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The piece itself is a highly accomplished work, as you’d expect from an artist of this calibre. The profile of the girl is sensitively painted and blends perfectly with the subtle writing to its right. The tragedy of shutter pieces is that they are rarely seen during daylight hours, even at weekends when so many shops seem to be open…not like in the old days!

1982. Stokes Croft, the Canteen

There is a new piece in town on one of the most famous walls in Bristol thanks to Banksy’s ‘Mild Mild West’ piece, which I am privileged to enjoy every time I walk to work. I had noticed a short while ago that the wall below had been prepped and there was a notice indicating that something new was going to be painted soon.

Soker, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Soker, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019

The piece in question is this ‘study’ by Soker (yes two Soker posts in a row), and when I first saw it I thought it was incomplete. I read subsequently that it is a piece designed to look like a sketch on lined paper with annotations. In meeting that brief, Soker has once again excelled and the piece will be keeping good company with the teddy bear above. Clever stuff.

1981. Raleigh Road, vector (27)

How can it be that my archive is stuffed full of great art? This is a case in point, a fabulous piece of graffiti writing from Soker from back in June 2017 that I didn’t post at the time. I really ought to pull my finger out, but short of posting four or five pieces a day (which I don’t have time for), I’m not sure how to do it.

Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2017
Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2017

Should I be more selective in what I post first time round? I don’t think I can really do that, because this blog is about honesty and seeing the world warts ‘n’ all. There are other people who publish sanitised street art for the ‘coffee table consumer’, I like to think that Natural Adventures is a little more inclusive and raw (as well as documenting contemporary Bristol artists). This piece has a retro feel to it and would not look out-of-place on the New York subway. Always great work from Soker.

1980. Dean Lane skate park (186)

Another overlooked piece from my archives, this time from Elvs in Dean Lane. It is very possible that this remained on file for so long because at the time of seeing it, I didn’t know the artist and so left the picture in a folder. Because the turnover of pieces in Bristol is so high, many that I photograph never see the light of day, but on my occasional trawls through the archives I like to dig some oldies out.

Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2016
Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2016

Elvs’ skills are obvious for all to see, and the crisp lines on his distinctive writing style are a pleasure to observe, and in this one, the shading within the letters is masterful. A great piece on the bit of wall that is very difficult to photograph…as you can see.

1979. M32 roundabout J3 (122)

More archive stuff, this one from Deamze in 2016. You can be certain that it isn’t recent, because Deamze is currently in Hobart, Tasmania turning out some utterly awesome work. I am not sure if he has moved out there for good or if this is a temporary arrangement, but either way our loss is their gain.

Deamze, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2016
Deamze, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2016

I have seen this particular design and colour scheme a couple of times before from Deamze, but that doesn’t detract from it in any way. In fact it might be that the other works were from roughly the same time, which would make sense.I wonder if ‘Quick’ refers to this being a quick one.

1974. M32 roundabout J3 (121)

You’ll know how much I try to avoid writing posts about artists I know nothing about, but sometimes the piece is just too good not to share. This is one such example. Some really classy writing, as part of a paint jam, which included all sorts of artists I am not familiar with. This piece I am guessing is by Debris.

Debris, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018
Debris, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018

Of course it is possible the piece is by another artist who just happens to be writing the word ‘DEBRIS’ but it is unusual for graffiti writers to stray from their preferred letters/name. There is an energy about this one that I really admire, and I love the fiery stripe running through all the letters. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for more from this artist.