Claro_que_sssnoh, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2024
I was beginning to think that Claro_que_sssnoh had left Bristol altogether, as it seems like an age since his I last posted anything by him on Natural Adventures (April this year, in fact). This piece was painted recently in one of his favoured spots.
Claro_que_sssnoh, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2024
Claro_que_ssnoh’s writing is so distinctive, and is unlikely ever to be muddled up with any other artists. It is a style we don’t see too much of here in the UK – perhaps it is a Spanish thing. His letters, spelling HONS, provide an opportunity to paint straight and curvy lines together, creating some contrast and tension in his writing. The colour palette is carefully considered, and the blues work well with the red and orange background colours. It is so good to see the artist back on our streets after a long gap.
Hot on the heals (pun intended) of yesterday’s post featuring a flame piece by Dibz is this outstanding burner from Fade which was painted adjacent to Dibz’. I wasn’t able to get both pieces in one shot so have presented them separately.
Fade, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
I think that both artists were on absolute top form on the day they painted these pieces, because they are pretty much flawless, and they may have taken their work to another level, if that is even a thing. Fade’s pieces tend to be slightly less busy than his friend’s and sometimes a little easier on the eye. This piece is tight as tight can be and the transitions of fill are to die for. The dog (who Fade is particularly fond of) says hello.
I managed to catch up with Face 1st at Goldie’s Metal Headz paint jam a couple of weeks ago (lots more on that to come). During our conversation he broke the news that he has moved to Herefordshire, and he is really happy with the move with his family. Of course, this means that we won’t be seeing quite so much of his work on the streets of Bristol, which is a real shame, but the reason behind it is great news for Face 1st, and I wish him well.
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024
This is a classic combination piece from Face 1st, with a girl’s face and hair fused with the word FACE, this time in 3D block writing. The whole thing has been splattered with pink gunge, a device that Face 1st uses a lot. There is no doubt that I will miss the frequency of his work and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for any visits he makes to his old stomping ground.
To honour his departure to pastures new, here is an updated gallery of his work.
I rarely post unfinished pieces, but this one from Hypo was as good as finished and only needed a few little details added, so he said when I was chatting to him about it. I asked if he would mind me photographing it in its unfinished state, and he said not at all, which was fortunate, because I don’t think it lasted much more than a day and was gone the next time I visited.
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
The dark grey letters have a deep metallic sheen, looking a little like brushed steel or something like that. The letter colours work really well with the lilac background and are picked out beautifully with the vibrant lime green border and ‘icicles’. Some small spheres or dots finish the whole thing off nicely. More great work from the hyper-busy Hypo.
To find the best wildstyle graffiti writing, you really don’t have to go any further than finding a piece by Dibz, and in Bristol, you are never too far away from one of those. This one was painted during a paint jam in October in Lawrence Weston (L Dub).
Dibz, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
This beauty is on fire, almost literally, because a close look at the fill uncovers flames beautifully woven into the letters. Everything is crisp and clean, all the lines, borders, drop shadows and fills, even the background has been cleverly animated. This is a truly outstanding 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.
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.
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