I was delighted to be asked by Keynsham In Bloom to create a mural for the train station platform that celebrates local wildlife. Thousands of people pass through this station every day, so the pressure was on.

Painted on dibond sheet measuring 6m x 0.9m - it's a great surface to paint on because it is so smooth, lightweight and very durable outdoors.

Right on our doorstep in Keynsham we share the rivers and bushes with birds, like the Kingfisher, that are 30 million years older than humanity and with ammonites found around this area going back 200 million years! So I decided to reference these, and a few other bits including the Keynsham bridge to represent the journey of existence that we are all on.

It was only when I added the whiskers that I relaxed and felt like I'd captured that 'otter look'. Painted alongside the hoover fly to celebrate Keynsham wildlife, with the ribbon being cut at an open ceremony last week.

There's a great article on the Community Rail Network wesbite below if you'd like to read about the project in more detail:

Local wildlife celebrated in Keynsham Station mural - Community Rail Network
A beautiful new mural depicting the flora and fauna of Keynsham has been unveiled on Monday 12 February at the local station.
Community Rail Network

Finally if anyone wants to see some otters close up they've got some at the Slimbridge Wetlands Centre in Gloucestershire...they are so playful!

Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Fill your spring with the sights, sounds and sensations of natureAardman presentsSat 5 April – Sun 1 June 2025In a world full of challenges, we’re on a mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power. Because when wetlands thrive, so do we.
WWT

Feedback from Dawn at the Keynsham Town Council:
"Excellent job Nick, Keynsham in Bloom was so pleased with this artwork that we commissioned. It is a great asset at our station and and really does make people smile!"