Artist's Peaky Blinders mural on studio walls

A man wearing a green jumper and a blue coat. He is standing in front of the mural of Thomas Shelby which has an orange and red painted background. Thomas is wearing a black flat-cap and staring into the distance in the mural.Image source, John Bray
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The artwork is the first outdoor piece in Birmingham by Mr Murals

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If you've been scrolling through social media recently, you've probably come across Mr Murals.

The artist has racked up more than 85 million views online by sharing his detailed designs created using spray paint.

He has spent more than 200 hours creating a Peaky Blinders mural on the walls of Digbeth Loc Studio, in Birmingham, after receiving a commission from the TV show's creator, Steven Knight.

The art, which features characters Thomas Shelby, Ada Shelby and Alfie Solomons, has been praised by stars from the series, including Sophie Rundle and Tom Hardy.

It even has its own spot on Google Maps as a city tourist attraction that people have travelled hours to admire, Mr Murals said.

Image source, SnipedbyKIM
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A group of people from Spain wanted to see the mural in person before travelling home

The artist said a huge number of people had visited him while he created the mural, which had made the experience "even more special".

"The amount of stories that we had every day, people offloading different things about their lives," he said.

"On one of the days I had a row of cars lined up, one by one pulling up for a chat with me, it was like a drive-thru McDonalds."

Image source, OlvrgFilms
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The murals were completed in December and already have their own spot on Google Maps

Mr Murals quit his job at B&Q about three years ago to make his passion for painting a full-time career.

"I absolutely loved painting as a kid, I'd meet up with friends and we'd go find abandoned places and paint around the Midlands," he said.

He added that it was "insane" that the mural was featured on Google Maps, jokingly adding that Peaky Blinders merchandise should be sold next to the artwork.

"The main reason this has gone so viral is because Peaky Blinders is so well known across the world," he said.

Image source, John Bray
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The artworks were commissioned by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight

The Sutton Coldfield artist said it was "unbelievable" to receive a commission from Steven Knight, who visited the mural multiple times while he was painting.

In one video posted on social media, Knight described seeing the work as "emotional" and "amazing".

Image source, SnipedbyKIM
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Photographer SnipedbyKIM captured the mural during the snow

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