MOTHER OF DRAGONS

In 2013, I attended Upfest, Europe’s largest street art festival, and was instantly inspired. I remember standing there, surrounded by incredible artwork and thinking, “I want to do that!” Fast forward two years, and I was incredibly lucky to be invited to paint at the very same festival in 2015. It was an amazing moment to see that dream come full circle.

For my mural, I created a unique mashup featuring Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons from Game of Thrones, alongside Elliott, the lovable dragon from the childhood classic Pete’s Dragon. Combining two iconic worlds in one painting felt like the perfect way to celebrate pop culture and bring a touch of nostalgia to the festival.

Upfest is known for its incredible two-day painting extravaganza, but unpredictable British weather threw us a curveball. On the second day, torrential rain shut down the outdoor painting sessions, which meant I had just 8 hours to complete the entire mural on the first day. It was intense, exhilarating, and totally unforgettable.

Painting live in front of an estimated 30,000 people was an incredible experience, one that pushed me creatively and gave me the opportunity to connect with so many art lovers. The energy and support from the crowd kept me going, and I loved every single minute of it.

A massive thank you to Steve and Emma from Upfest for organizing such an iconic festival. You made Bristol shine, and I hope my artwork did you proud. Upfest 2015 was truly a dream come true, and I’m so grateful to have been part of it.