7943. River Avon (131)

Mysto, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Mysto, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

It seems that WordPress have been messing about with their settings again, and trying to find the ‘Classic Editor’ has been tricky this morning, but here I am… This is a rather nice piece by occasional artist Mysto, who it has to be said is becoming rather less occasional than he used to be.

Mysto, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Mysto, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

The lovely letters appear as if hewn from a gold bar, although it is actually painted in yellows and browns, a clever illusion. Some tidy white highlights and starbursts, combined with a stripy drop shadow bring depth to the letters. The blue background is rather striking and complements the piece nicely.

 

 

7942. Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham

Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026
Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026

I have mentioned in previous posts that on a recent work trip to Birmingham, I was lucky enough to pass by some street art spots on my way back to the station, after the workshop I led. One area, Smallbrook Queensway and the Ringway Centre appears to be in decline, with most of the shops and commercial spaces in this 1960s building boarded up. Needless to say that most if not all of the boards have been painted, and I would say some years ago – possibly an artefact of the impacts of Covid lock downs.

Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026
Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026

One artist in particular, Gent48, appears to have exploited this ‘canvas opportunity’ more than most, with several pieces, including this collaboration with graffiti writer Zinzinahh. The collaboration is a good one, dating back to 2023, and still in fairly good condition. The character by by Gent has an eye in the palm of his hand – there is a story there I am sure. The writing is beautifully executed, but I am not particularly familiar with either artist and can’t provide much background or context, preferring to enjoy the collaboration as a visitor.

Numb

.

Failed to land my job

not the glide path I hoped for

the world’s my oyster

.

or that’s what I tell myself

in those sorrowful moments

.

by Scooj

Thursday Doors – 1 October 2026

Doors 372 – Doors of Madeira (part III) – September 2025

Well I’m back from the best holiday in Greece, and feeling fully refreshed. I missed last week’s Thursday Doors because I was just enjoying myself too much and not having a lot of time for blogging and other Interweb activities. There is something very nice about September holidays in Europe, The weather is still good but the crowds are reduced, and everything feels just that little bit sleepier.  Our Madeira trip last year was also in September, and that too was excellent.

This week’s door selection continues on from last week with some more art on doors from the same area in the centre of Funchal. I hope you enjoy them:

Flaming doors, Travessa Joao Caetano, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Flaming doors, Travessa Joao Caetano, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Mermaid on a swing door, Travessa Joao Caetano, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Mermaid on a swing door, Travessa Joao Caetano, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Surveillance stencil on a pair of doors, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Surveillance stencil on a pair of doors, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Large portrait piece  doors, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Large portrait piece doors, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Naked lady door, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Naked lady door, Rua Dos Barreiros, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Turtle painting door, Rua De Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Turtle painting door, Rua De Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

Door with a Mondrian-style pattern, Rua De Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025
Door with a Mondrian-style pattern, Rua De Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, September 2025

More from Madeira next time. Until then have a wonderful rest of week.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.

7941. Sparke Evans Park (161)

Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2026
Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2026

Solar is managing to keep up a steady drumbeat of activity this year and is constantly developing his style, but as well as that he is also improving his technique, and turning out some really fantastic pieces, bridging that awkward space between anti-style and conventional graffiti writing with great skill, not letting go of his principles as he progresses.

Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2026
Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2026

This elongated piece spells out SOLAR with the letters being divided through the middle with what look like vertical plates. The wholr thing looks like a vehicle of some kind, with windscreens at the right-hand end. There are some interesting colour variations as you progress through the piece and an array of fills, starbursts and highlights throughout, making this a visually very interesting piece.

7940. St Werburghs tunnel (596)

Donz, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2026
Donz, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2026

What a lovely, crisp and up-beat piece this is in the tunnel by Donz. I think it was painted during a mini-paint jam for his own birthday celebrations. Looking at his Instagram feed, it would appear that Donz wasn’t too happy with the piece as it was painted using up cans, or a ‘dregs’ piece.

Donz, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2026
Donz, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2026

Knowing that information, you can see that there is a slightly chaotic colour scheme, the bottom half of which really doesn’t connect with the top half. The top is nice and clean but the mix of colours below is a little untidy, and probably why Donz felt this wasn’t his best work. The little figures around the writing are by Posh who painted alongside Donz during the paint jam.

7939. Frome Side (70)

Serm and Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Serm and Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

This is a rather unlikely collaboration between Serm and Sub. I haven’t seen either collaborate with anyone, other than Sub with Bloem, so I had to look twice to make sure I had seen this right, which I believe I have. Infortunately there is a lot of glare on the photographs, a constant problem with this wall under the M32.

Serm, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Serm, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

Both artists have written their own letters in their own style, but what this makes it a collaboration is that each has incorporated a character, Tom and Jerry, which are interacting with one another. On the left, Serm has painted some beautiful green letters with a deep reddy-brown drop shadow and Jerry the mouse making a quick escape from the clutches of Tom.

Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

On the right, Sub has overlayed his large SUB letters with Tom the cat in hot persuit of Jerry. Although both characters vary a little from the cartoon originals, they are recognisable and add some humorous content to these two pieces of graffiti writing. A decent fun collaboration.

7938. Goodneston Road (10)

Minto, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026
Minto, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026

Going back a little in time to my late discovery of the massive Tickz tribute wall, I thought I should include this piece by Minto. Reflecting back on Minto’s gallery, it is obvious that he rather likes depicting vehicles in his work, and this is one great example of that.

Minto, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026
Minto, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026

Minto presents a monster truck driving over and crushing another car. I’m not sure if there is any particular relevance to this, but it makes for a good scene. I like the detail in the piece, such as the reflection of the scene behind in the car door. I still have so many pieces to post from this wall, but will probably spread them out over time.

Ulow

A gallery of outstanding character pieces by Bristol artist Ulow.

All photographs by Scooj.

Ulow, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026
Ulow, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026

Ulow, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2026
Ulow, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2026

Andy Council and Ulow, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2025
Andy Council and Ulow, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2025

Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025

Subtle, Ulow and Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
Subtle, Ulow and Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025

Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025

Rusk, Ulow and Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2024
Rusk, Ulow and Corupt, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2024

Hypo and Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024
Hypo and Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024

Ulow and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022
Ulow and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022

Ulow, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022
Ulow, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022

Ulow and Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2018
Ulow and Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2018

Ulow, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, July 2016
Ulow, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, July 2016

Ulow, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, July 2016
Ulow, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, July 2016

Ulow, Raleigh Road, Bristol, December 2017
Ulow, Raleigh Road, Bristol, December 2017

Ulow, Raleigh Road, Bristol, December 2017
Ulow, Raleigh Road, Bristol, December 2017

7937. Dean Lane skate park (943)

Effe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Effe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2026

This is another piece that I have pulled out of my archive, which I photographed back in June this year. It is a rather charming piece by Effe, an artict I know little about other than that they are primarily a tattooo artist.

Effe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Effe, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2026

This piece definitely reflects a tattoo art style, a clear emblem, in this case a bird with a flower in its beak, and a piece that feels like it is an outline that has been coloured in. There is a tremendous cross-over between street art and tattoo art, with many practicing tattooists painting the sreets of Bristol. I look forward to finding more pieces by Effe.