WATERFORD CITY AND WATERFORD WALLS

One Of My Favourite Cities

Waterford Walls

Geometric Snail Mural By Dan Leo – A Work In Progress 12 August 2026

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I used a Sony 7RVI with a Sony 24-105mm F4 lens.

It took me two days to locate this as the directions that i had been supplied with were incorrect and on the second day i came across the mural by accident. Unfortunately, the work was not completed before I returned to Dublin.

Artist: Dan Leo
Artwork: Geometric Snail Mural
Festival & Setting: Created for the Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival in Waterford, Ireland (located in the Farran Park / Outer Ring Road area).

The Artist and Their Work

Dan Leo is a prominent London-born, Ireland-based contemporary muralist and illustrator recognised as a staple of the Irish street art movement.
Signature Style: Leo’s visual language is deeply rooted in comic, graffiti, and graphic design traditions. His work is known for bold, heavy black contour line-work, sharp geometric divisions, and hyper-saturated, contrasting colour palettes.

Subject Matter: Wildlife and nature dominate Leo’s oeuvre. He frequently depicts animals—ranging from urban foxes, tropical birds, and cats to smaller fauna like this snail—reinterpreting organic forms through rigid facets, angular planes, and graphic patterns.

Interaction with Architecture: In this piece, Leo cleverly incorporates the residential structure’s architectural elements directly into the composition. The central second-floor window forms the core spiral axis of the snail’s shell, blending physical building infrastructure with flat, two-dimensional geometric abstraction.

FLOWERS ON THE STREET MURAL BY LULA GROCE I PHOTOGRAPHED IT AGAIN IN JULY 2018 AND REMASTERED THE IMAGES IN 2025

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I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph this almost as soon as it had been completed but for a variety of reasons my photographs were not as good as they could have been because I used a 15mm F4.5 super-wide-angle lens which resulted in an unacceptable level of distortion which I could not correct for at the time. In July 2018 I photographed it again and reprocessed the photographs in August 2925 as I had come across more information about the artist and her work. In August 2025 I was able to photograph day by day the creation of a replacement Mural by French artist Nerone and this time my equipment was much more suitable for the task.

From Galicia to the Walls: The Artistic Journey of Lula Goce

The story begins with the original mural’s creator, Lula Goce. A Spanish artist with a distinctive path, her work is uniquely informed by her formal academic background and a profound connection to the natural world. Born in Galicia, Spain, her early life was shaped by the “salty coastal air, barnacles, drizzle and the beautiful beaches” of the region. This influence is deeply woven into her artistic identity.

Goce’s journey is notable for its rigorous academic foundation. She graduated in fine arts with a specialisation in painting from Salamanca and continued her advanced studies in Barcelona, earning both a Master’s and a PhD in artistic creation. This extensive training set her apart, blurring the lines between the conventional art world and the dynamic urban environment. Her move from the structured gallery setting to the street was, in her own words, a “revelation”. She found a profound appeal in the direct interaction with the public and the “muscularity” required to create large-scale public pieces.

Her style is characterised by “powerfully evocative and huge photorealistic scenes” that employ bright colours and a strong expressiveness. A recurring motif is the integration of people and nature, a thematic choice that adds a poetic and inspiring dimension to her creations.

Flowers on O’Connell Street

Lula Goce’s contribution to the 2017 Waterford Walls Festival was a significant addition to the city’s burgeoning outdoor gallery. Titled “Flowers on O’Connell Street,” the mural was painted on a prominent location at the rear of Dooley’s Hotel. The creation of this artwork took place during the festival’s third and largest year, which featured 40 artists from five continents. Goce’s process was notably challenging due to persistent heavy rain. An interesting detail is her use of durable emulsion house paint, designed to last for a decade or more. The fact that the mural would eventually be replaced, despite the use of a long-lasting material, is a crucial point that highlights the festival’s overarching philosophy.

Navigating the Urban Canvas: A Street Photographer’s Guide to Waterford Walls

On a recent visit to the vibrant Waterford Walls festival, I was struck by a thought that goes beyond the art itself: the technical challenges artists face in a place like Ireland. As a street photographer who’s had to cut short trips to Waterford because of the unpredictable weather, I have a healthy respect for the Irish climate. This year, with near-perfect conditions, I was able to spend time observing the artists at work and learnt about the often-unseen problems they encounter.

This post delves into the complex relationship between art, materials, and the environment at Ireland’s largest street art festival. My observations, fuelled by conversations with some of the artists, highlight how a successful mural is not just a matter of creative vision, but also of meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of practical challenges.

The Walls of Waterford: A Mosaic of Challenges

Waterford’s walls are far from a uniform canvas. They tell a story of architectural history, from ancient medieval stonework to the modern facades of homes and businesses. The festival’s focus on revitalising “run-down areas” means artists must be ready for anything, especially difficult surfaces they may have never worked with before.

The Problem of Pebbledash

One of the most challenging surfaces artists face is pebbledash. This unique render, with its embedded stones, is notoriously difficult to paint. Industry experts describe it as one of the most problematic surfaces. The stones are a hazard in themselves, as loose ones can “flick off” during painting, creating a mess and leaving gaps.

Furthermore, pebbledash is highly porous. It can “absorb paint as it dries and over time,” meaning artists need to use significantly more paint and must be careful to avoid an uneven finish. The rough texture and age of these surfaces also make them prone to dirt, algae, and dampness, all of which can prevent the paint from sticking properly.

Preparation as a Critical First Step

To ensure a mural endures on a difficult surface, preparation is non-negotiable. It’s a multi-stage process that must be followed with precision:

Cleaning: The wall must be completely free of contaminants. This involves using a stiff sweeping brush and a fungicidal wash to remove any algae, moss, and dirt. It’s crucial to let the wall dry completely before painting to prevent moisture from being trapped.

Repair: Any cracks, holes, or gaps must be filled with an exterior filler to create a uniform base for the art.

Priming: For unpainted or difficult surfaces, a primer is essential. This step ensures the final paint adheres properly and also reduces the wall’s absorbency, saving on material costs in the long run.

The historical and economic context of Waterford means that the walls artists are given are often far from a clean canvas. The preparation phase, therefore, becomes a live demonstration of how to expertly rehabilitate these challenging urban spaces. It’s a testament to the fact that the artists’ job is part technical expert, part creative genius.

The Artist’s Palette: Choosing the Right Paint

The choice of paint is a crucial strategic decision that balances artistic goals with practical demands. The two main options for murals are spray paint and durable emulsion or masonry paint.

The Spray Paint Conundrum

Spray paint is a popular choice for street artists, allowing for crisp lines, smooth gradients, and a uniform finish. However, a major issue is overspray. Wind can carry fine droplets of paint “quite a distance,” posing a risk to nearby objects and parked cars—a well-founded concern.

To combat this, professional muralists use several mitigation techniques:

Logistical Measures: The most effective defence is thorough masking. This involves “tarping the living hell out of things” and using barriers to create a protected zone around the work area.

Technical Adjustments: Experts also make on-site adjustments to their equipment, using a “small pump on a fairly low pressure” and holding the spray gun “real close (6-8 inches off wall)” to minimise the spread of paint.

The Shift to Durability: The Case of Lula Goce

The story of Spanish artist Lula Goce, who famously had to deal with a hurricane hitting Waterford in 2017, provides a perfect example of a professional adapting to the climate. Reports indicate her emulsion house paint was “running off the walls as a result of the heavy rains,” forcing her to fashion a makeshift poncho to continue working.

While spray paint offers speed and precision, using a durable exterior masonry paint is a sound decision for creating permanent public art in a humid, rainy environment. This type of paint offers distinct advantages:

Longevity and Weather Resistance: High-quality exterior emulsion paint is engineered to withstand extreme weather and temperature fluctuations.

Breathability: For a surface like pebbledash, breathability is a significant advantage. Formulated with silicone, this paint prevents external moisture from entering the wall while allowing trapped water vapour to escape. This prevents the paint from blistering or flaking, which is a common problem with non-breathable paints.

Ultimately, the choice between spray paint and durable emulsion highlights a key trade-off: speed and precision versus long-term durability and resistance to the elements.

A Race Against the Elements: Weather and Time

The creation of an outdoor mural in Ireland is a constant race against the weather. An artist’s decision to halt their work, as was reportedly the case with artists ADOR and SHUK, is a reflection of professional judgement that prioritises the integrity of the art over a fixed timeline.

The Irish climate is a primary project constraint:

Rainfall: Direct rain can wash away wet paint, leading to streaks and uneven coverage. Painting on a damp surface can also trap moisture, hindering adhesion and causing long-term peeling.

Humidity: High humidity slows down the drying time of water-based paints, increasing the risk of drips and streaks.

Temperature: Paint can dry too quickly in high temperatures, leading to an uneven finish, while cold temperatures can prevent proper adhesion.

A key rule for all outdoor painting is to plan for a multi-day dry weather window. The festival’s tight ten-day schedule adds immense pressure, creating a tension between a fixed project timeline and the unpredictable nature of the work. The decision not to sign a piece that has been compromised by the weather is an act of professional integrity. An artist’s name is a guarantee of quality, and they may choose to withhold their signature rather than endorse a piece that doesn’t meet their standards.

A DEEP DIVE INTO A STREET ARTIST’S WORLD

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This article provides a comprehensive overview of the French street artist and graphic designer known as Nerone, whose work is a highlight of the Waterford Walls festival. It delves into his background, artistic philosophy, and career, offering a fresh perspective on his vibrant and impactful contributions to urban art.

A Note on Murals in Progress

During my recent visit to Waterford for the Waterford Walls festival, I walked around 15 miles a day and travelled another 20 miles a day by bus, trying to visit various locations multiple times. This was because many of the murals were works in progress and had not been completed by the time I returned to Dublin. A challenge I encountered was identifying the artist responsible for any given piece while it was still unfinished. This is because artists typically don’t sign their work until it is completed.

A case in point is this series of photographs, which shows the day-by-day progress of a mural by the French artist Nerone. The piece, located at the rear of Dooley’s Hotel, has replaced a beautiful mural by the Spanish artist Lula Goce from Waterford Walls 2017.

Fact Check: Nerone at Waterford Walls

It’s been suggested to me that Nerone might have participated in previous Waterford Walls festivals. However, a review of his career history does not list him as having taken part in earlier events. His involvement appears to be a notable feature of the 2025 festival programme.

Who is Nerone? Clarifying the Artist’s Identity

The name “Nerone” is used in various contexts, so it’s important to clarify the subject of this article. This discussion focuses exclusively on the French artist, also known by his given name, Nicolas Chaperon. He is not to be confused with:

Sergio Terzi, the Italian painter and sculptor (born 1939)

Massimiliano Figlia, the Italian rapper (born 1991)

Seba Nerone, the Argentinian padel player

The character in Arrigo Boito’s opera

Furthermore, the name is also a commercial brand for various products, including a Louis Vuitton handbag, kitchen equipment, and an artificial intelligence consulting firm.

From Graffiti to Graphic Design: An Artistic Journey

Born in Bordeaux, France, in 1983, Nerone’s artistic journey began in the mid-1990s graffiti subculture. At the age of eleven, he started his journey under the pseudonym ‘SKIR’, immersing himself in the hip-hop and rap movements that embraced graffiti. This was a self-taught, observational period where he spent countless hours in abandoned lots, studying the work of others and using scavenged spray cans to create his first tags.

Despite this rebellious start, his path was also shaped by a more formal, creative lineage. His parents, who met at the School of Applied Arts in Bordeaux, fostered his passion for art. This dual influence became a defining feature of his artistic practice. He went on to pursue formal training in visual communication in Bordeaux before starting his professional career in graphic design in Paris. However, the restrictive corporate environment proved to be a poor fit, prompting his move to freelance work, which allowed him to combine his professional skills with the spontaneous spirit of his graffiti background.

A pivotal moment in his artistic development came in 2015 when he moved to London. He described the move as a deliberate choice to counteract the city’s “grey atmosphere” with his vibrant art. It was in London that his distinctive style—a fusion of the abstract and the organic—fully crystallised.

The Signature Style: Colourful Chaos

Nerone’s artistic signature is a unique blend of abstract techniques and organic, floral motifs. His compositions are instantly recognisable for their “luminous” and “colourful” style, often featuring his iconic “dripping flowers.” While the finished murals may appear chaotic and free-flowing, they are the result of a “meticulous and inventive process.” The spontaneity of the dripping effect is, in fact, a controlled and purposeful act.

A key element of his work is the masterful use of a bold and vibrant colour palette, including fluorescent and neon tones. He deliberately uses this intense chromatic range to create a striking contrast with often-dull urban environments. This strategic use of colour not only attracts attention but also serves to revitalise cityscapes.

Art as Therapy and Social Good

Nerone’s artistic practice is guided by a profound and explicit philosophy. He describes his work as “therapeutic” and a form of “Art Therapy,” viewing it as a conscious effort to inject positivity into a world saturated with “bad news.” His creations are imbued with an “unstoppably upbeat vibe,” offering a direct counter-narrative to the anxieties of contemporary society.

This philosophy extends to a deeply held eco-conscious ethos. He is acutely aware of the “ecological challenges and economic problems of today’s world” and consistently uses his art to spread a positive message. This is best exemplified by his 2023 project in Southampton, where he created the UK’s largest clean-air mural. The mural, featuring his fiancée, Frankie, was made using a unique paint that absorbs carbon dioxide as it cures. The work’s estimated annual absorption of CO2 is equivalent to three mature trees, demonstrating a powerful fusion of personal expression, environmental advocacy, and public art.

A Global Presence: Murals and Collaborations

Nerone’s prolific career has made his work a visible presence in major cities across the globe, including Paris, London, New York, and Seoul. He has contributed to various international festivals and events, solidifying his standing in the urban art community.

Here is a curated list of his notable public art installations and festival appearances:

2024: Pump Up The Jam art festival (Tonneins, France), Le M.U.R. de Bourges (Bourges, France), AOTA Festival (Florida, USA)

2023: Mural in Montignac-Lascaux (France), Super Walls Festival (Padova, Italy), UK’s largest clean air mural (Southampton, UK), Mural for Airthrill (Edinburgh, Scotland)

2022: Mural for The Economist (London, UK), Mural in Bethnal Green (UK), Mural for Airthrill (Glasgow, UK), Mural in Liverpool (UK), Mural for Netflix (undisclosed location)

2021: Hit The North Festival (Belfast, Northern Ireland), Super Walls Festival (Padova, Italy), Street Art New Brighton (New Brighton, UK)

2020: London Mural Festival (London, UK), Mural in Shoreditch (London, UK), Commission for the city of Montpellier (France)

2019: Mural for Crisis UK (London, UK), Formula E (Marrakech, Morocco)

2018: Mural in New York City (USA), International Flower Show (Seoul, Korea), Formula E (Marrakech, Morocco)

2017: International Flowers Festival (Seoul, Korea), Flower Show Turkey (Istanbul, Turkey)

Beyond his public murals, Nerone has also cultivated a substantial studio practice, producing canvases and limited-edition prints. His works have been exhibited in galleries across multiple countries, demonstrating that his art is valued for both its public presence and its enduring appeal in private collections.

Commercial Success and Public Reception

Nerone’s career is marked by an impressive portfolio of collaborations with major international brands, highlighting his commercial viability and the broad appeal of his aesthetic. He has created murals for Jaguar Land Rover, a cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises, and packaging for Danone. A notable partnership was a limited-edition beer label for Pirate Life Brewing, where a portion of the sales contributed to a fund to get more art on walls across Australia—a powerful example of using commercial work for social good.

Here is an overview of some of his key commercial partnerships:

2022: Netflix, The Economist

2021: Lindeman’s, Pirate Life Brewing

2020: Celebrity Cruises

2019: Crisis UK, Danone

2018: Puma

Undated: Jaguar Land Rover

The artist has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from critics and the public. He is widely praised as one of the most “fascinating and prolific French street artists of the 21st century.” His style is consistently described as “sublime” and is regarded as a “fresh breath in the world of street art.” However, there has been a singular instance of resistance, where an elderly woman in New Brighton expressed her preference for the previous “grey wall,” wanting to preserve her old memories of the street. This anecdote illustrates the challenges of transforming public spaces with pre-existing personal or communal history.

A Lasting Legacy

Nerone’s legacy lies in his ability to blend diverse influences into a coherent and forward-thinking artistic practice. His work is a powerful synthesis of the spontaneous energy of his early graffiti days and the precise structure of his graphic design background.

By consistently infusing his work with a positive, upbeat vibe and a conscious message about ecological and social challenges, he has positioned himself as a significant contributor to a new wave of socially aware urban artists. His career provides a compelling model for how street artists can successfully navigate the transition from a subcultural movement to a professional practice, blending commercial success with artistic integrity and a profound sense of social consciousness.

Final Thoughts

The French street artist Nerone has established a formidable and enduring presence in the global art landscape. His journey, from a teenage graffiti practitioner to an internationally celebrated muralist, demonstrates a remarkable evolution of his craft. His art, characterised by a meticulous fusion of abstract and floral motifs, offers a vibrant and optimistic counter-narrative to the realities of urban life.

Nerone’s work is a testament to the power of art to inspire and effect change. By consciously using his creations as a form of “Art Therapy” and by embracing environmentally friendly techniques, he has proven that art can be both aesthetically beautiful and deeply purposeful. His impressive catalogue of global murals and his successful forays into the gallery and commercial spheres solidify his position as a vanguard in contemporary urban art.

BY ANIMALITOLAND FROM ARGENTINA FOR WATERFORD WALLS 2018 DOYLE STREET – ST IGNATIUS STREET

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PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2025

Animalitoland’s mural from the 2018 festival is located on Doyle Street, near its junction with St Ignatius Street. The mural depicts a large, purplish, bear-like creature sitting, with its head thrown back in a joyous, laughing expression. It holds a small, childlike figure wearing a red hoodie, who in turn holds a glowing, lightbulb-like object. The scene is set against a vibrant background that radiates a warm, yellow light from behind the large creature, with abstract, geometric shapes and symbols on the left side of the building’s facade. The style is recognisably consistent with the artist’s signature aesthetic, which often features “fantastic creatures” and children in a “colourful explosion”. The presence of this artwork, and its clear recognisability, reinforces the festival’s success in commissioning works that resonate with the public while maintaining artistic integrity.

In August 2018, the city of Waterford was transformed into a large-scale outdoor gallery as it hosted the fourth edition of the Waterford Walls festival. Among the numerous artworks that emerged from this event was a mural by Argentinian artist Graciela Gonçalves Da Silva, an artist better known by her moniker, Animalitoland. Situated at the corner of Doyle Street and St Ignatius Street, this specific mural stands out not only for its artistic merit but also for its exceptional state of preservation. The fact that an outdoor public artwork, exposed to the elements for several years, has survived so well invites a deeper inquiry into the artist, the festival, and the unique socio-cultural dynamics that contribute to the endurance of street art.

Graciela Gonçalves Da Silva’s artistic journey is defined by a significant transition from a conventional career path to a life of creative freedom. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she pursued a formal education, graduating with a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Buenos Aires. For over a decade, she honed her craft in various visual fields, including comics, fanzines, animation, video games, toys, and graphic design. However, she found her true calling in 2011 when she began painting freely in the streets, a decision she describes as a “personal and artistic revolution”.

This monumental shift in her life culminated in 2014 when she made the definitive choice to leave her designer job to become a full-time artist and a self-described “world nomad”. This nomadic existence, which has taken her to countries including Spain, Germany, the UK, France, Hungary, China, and Canada, is central to her creative process. It has enabled her to establish a global artistic footprint, with more than 60 murals created across the American continent, Europe, and Asia. This constant motion is not a sign of instability but rather a deliberate choice that provides her with the energy and inspiration to tackle new ideas continuously.

The 2018 edition of the festival was particularly significant, marking a substantial increase in scale and ambition. The event ran for a full ten days, from the 17th to the 26th of August, and brought together a spectacular line-up of between 45 and 50 local, national, and international artists. This expansion provided a larger and more prominent platform for artists and was accompanied by an extensive programme of ancillary events, including workshops, guided tours, and expert panel talks.

The festival’s roster was a testament to its growing international prestige, attracting globally recognised artists such as Fintan Magee from Australia, Dan Kitchener from the UK, and Sonny from South Africa. Notably, Animalitoland was a returning artist for the 2018 festival , having previously painted in Waterford in 2017. Her return underscores the high calibre of the talent the festival attracts and her established relationship with the event’s organisers. This dynamic illustrates the festival’s role in leveraging high-calibre artistic talent to achieve its social and economic goals for the city.

THE SCRIBBLE GRID IN ACTION AND A WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE GLEN

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WATERFORD WALLS HUB 2025

As I could not book a hotel room for Saturday or Sunday many of the planned murals had yet to be completed so many that I photographed were very much unfinished but hopefully I can revisit them next year.

I’ve finally had the opportunity to photograph something I’ve always wanted to capture: a mural created using the scribble grid technique. This mural is a work in progress at The Glen, part of the Waterford Walls Hub 2025 event. While I don’t know the exact artist yet, it’s one of the following: AndyMc, HOCK, Kohneshia, Kone, Rocket01, WRN, or Zurdie.

What Is a Scribble Grid?

The scribble grid, also known as a doodle grid or lazy grid, is a clever technique used by artists, especially muralists, to scale up a design from a small sketch to a large wall. Unlike a traditional, precisely measured grid, this method allows for more spontaneity and is perfect for irregular or textured surfaces.

Here’s a breakdown of how the process typically works:

Preparation: The artist first creates their design digitally and takes a photo of the wall where the mural will be painted.

The Grid: On the actual wall, the artist draws a series of random, non-uniform shapes, letters, or scribbles. These aren’t meant to be neat; they simply act as a unique set of reference points across the surface. This can be done with chalk, spray paint, or a brush.

Overlay: The artist then takes a photo of the wall with the scribbles on it. They import this photo into their digital software, placing it on a layer beneath their mural design. By making the mural design partially transparent, they can see the scribbles underneath.

Transfer: Using the overlaid image as a guide, the artist notes where the lines of their design intersect with the random scribbles on the wall. For example, a line might start where a letter ‘G’ is drawn and end where it crosses a curvy line.

Painting: Using these “scribble intersections” as a guide, the artist transfers their design onto the wall, ensuring the proportions and placement are correct.

This method is fast, flexible, and doesn’t require a ruler or a projector, making it a modern, less rigid alternative to the traditional grid method. It allows artists to maintain accuracy while adopting a more freehand approach.

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