Art / Street Art
Esme Lower, aka @melomurals paints 46ft mural for Bedminster brewery
Better known as @melomurals, multimedia artist and illustrator Esme Lower is used to working across a range of scales and canvases.
But there is a particular verve with which she approaches a large wall.
In a new WECA-funded commission for On Point Brewery Co in Bedminster, Melo has painted her biggest work to date: a 46ft wall with a vibrant and playful mural inspired by the inner workings of the brewery and taproom.
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Esme Lower (@melomurals) mural for On Point Brew Co. in Bedminster – photo: Madelaine Grady Walsh (@grady.grafica)
The funding also afforded Melo the opportunity to collaborate with her friend Madelaine Grady Walsh, who made a film documenting the project end-to-end.
Such has been the success of the mural, Melo is now in talks with the On Point Brewery founder Ollie Dent about the possibility of expanding it further, as well as designing extra branding for the company.
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Reflecting on how far she has come as an artist, Melo shared more about the street art community within Bristol, her creative inspirations, and what might be in store for her in the future.
What is your relationship to the Bristol street art community?
“I began joining paint jams with the female-led group Bristol Mural Collective a few years ago which gave me the support and opportunity to learn and grow, and was a great way to connect with other artists while developing my skills.
“They are still an amazing support network for me to this day. I’d say I’m generally still pretty new to the community though, and mostly connect with other artists via Instagram. I’m hoping to make more connections and do more collaborations in 2025.”
As a muralist working largely in public spaces, what brings you the most joy from what you do?
“What brings me the most joy is the process of turning a small drawing into something huge – the sketching, planning, and figuring out the logistics. I also love working outside and being on my feet.
“After spending so much time working alone as an illustrator, painting murals is a great way to connect with people and break away from screen-time.”
Who are your own creative inspirations?
“I’m really inspired by the playful and energetic nature of old comics, and I’ve always got a few in my studio for reference. I also get a lot of ideas from the graffiti and street art I see around Bristol, especially when I spot interesting colour combinations.
“What really motivates me is seeing other women painting on a huge scale and particularly those exploring the intersection of illustration and mural, for example Kvar Illustration and Zippy – seeing their work always makes me want to take on bigger and bolder projects.”
What is your proudest moment as a muralist to date?
“This project at On Point was about three times bigger than what I’d done before, so it’s definitely the one I’m most proud of – it was so rewarding. Aside from this, a highlight was being invited to Yardworks in Glasgow in May 2024, where I painted a mural in memory of my friend and fellow artist, Dylan.
“It was pretty intimidating at first, but being surrounded by such talented artists was amazing. That experience really solidified that this is what I want to do. I was given one of the smaller walls, which actually motivated me – it made me think about how much potential there is to grow and where I want to go next.
“What I love about being an artist is that it can be quite introspective, but there are also opportunities to really step out of your comfort zone. I was so nervous going in, but finishing a piece under pressure and with an audience was a huge achievement. Now that I’ve upscaled my work, I’m hoping to be invited to more festivals this year and to take on even bigger and scarier walls.”
In a dream scenario, are there particular walls that you would most like to paint, and if so, what would you do with them?
“I’d love to bring some more of my passions into my murals, like my love for music and food. It would be amazing to paint something custom for a music venue or a restaurant. As I mentioned earlier – storytelling is a big part of my process, so I’d want to dig into the history of the place and weave that into the design and add loads of colour and character.
“One of my big dreams is to do a full mural comic strip that wraps around a building – maybe 2025 is the year I can make it happen!”
Follow Esme Lower @melomurals, or visit www.esmelower.cargo.site for more information about the artist.
Follow On Point Brew Co @onpointbrewco or visit the site, and the mural, on Herbert St, Bedminster.
All photos: Madelaine Grady Walsh (@grady.grafica)
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