As you may know, I am accompanied by my long-suffering dog on most of my visits to graffiti spots in Bristol. It is a win-win scenario, where he gets a walk and I get to take photographs, it works well for both of us. On this occasion, he dragged me up an alleyway I don’t often choose to walk, and led me directly to this ‘street elf’ by 3Dom.
3Dom, Stapleton Road, Bristol, August 2026
This series of stylised street elf portraits is a fabulous off-shoot from 3Dom’s more fantastical pieces, here showing discipline and symmetry, a world away from his surreal freestyle scenes. Unusually this elf is actually signed, perhaps the square format left enough space for a signature. Atop the piece the phrase ‘Unity is power’ stands proud. Still on the hunt for more of these characters by 3Dom.
Good morning. Despite a relatively quiet year, Hypo is always capable of turning out great pieces, and it is always a pleasure to come across one of them. This was painted as part of a small paint jam in honour of Donz’ birthday (I think).
Hypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2026
Stepping back from this piece, I can almost imagine it is a fragmemnt of a chrome car bumper, with reflections of the blue sky in the top half and the sandy dirt along the bottom half (is it just me that sees this?). The natural colours are arranged in horizontal strips through the letters HYPO, and are liberally sprinkled with little red spheres in the interstitial spaces. Black spots and icicle drips round the piece of nicely. More apperances by Posh characters dancing around the outside.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
Large portrait piece doors, 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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 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.
