Recently a whole cluster of these illustrative ‘tower’ pieces started appearing in the area around Cumberland Basin, and they are quite unlike anything else I have seen before. If you look closely at one of the rings of the tower you might notice the words Zeks One. So this is by Zeks who we normally think of as a graffiti writer.
Zeks, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026
I like it when artists latch onto an idea and then start replicating that idea while the enthusiasm for it remains. There is something strangely charming and infantile about the tower, and this one, painted over a Creamylines piece, works well with the existing sun and birds around the top. Watch this space for more of these from Zeks.
The photographs of this combination piece by Sub, is a perfect example of why it is important to take pictures, even if the light conditions (sun/shade) aren’t perfect, because when I returned for a second attempt, the character had been dogged, so we’ll have to make do with these.
Sub, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2026
Sub has been steadily improving, and has successfully added characters to his writing portfolio. His letters here are very nicely presented with some pink cloudy smudges, a plasma burst and some horizontal drips. Sitting alongside is a fun ghostly cartoon character – I am not sure if it is a Sub creation or an existing character that he has copied – I am not familiar with it. I just did a little research, and I think it might be a Super Mario ghost King Boo, without his crown. A great commbination piece.
When I first saw this wonderful piece in the tunnel I did’t post it, because I didn’t recognise the artist’s style, and to my shame, I couldn’t read the letters. It took seeing an Instagram post for me to have that ‘of course’ penny dropping moment.
Mr Riks, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2026
It is by Mr Riks, and it is easy enough to see that when you know, but the framing of the piece within the confined green box and the uniform shape and design of the letters threw me. Needless to say, it is an exceptional piece of graffiti writing, with a great colour scheme and letters that really pop out from the wall.
Ooh! this is a gorgeous piece by Guimeujoven, an occasional visitor to Bristol and an artist who painted a large piece at this year’s Upfest (coming soon). This is a very special piece which in its presentation looks fairly simple, bur is in fact technically excellent and complex.
Guimeujoven, Elton Street, Bristol, August 2026
Starting with the background wall, which is irregular and has real character, like an old wall might. The main character holding a spray can in depicted in solid fill shades. Where the technical brilliance comes in is within the red circle, where the shadings are continued through the piece but in red tones instead of Khaki and greys. Just brilliant and really good to look at.
Doors 370 – Doors of Madeira (part I) – September 2025
I have a busy week or two coming up and then go on a holiday, so I thought I’d get ahead of myself a little and prepare this post last Sunday to aleviate some of the pressure.
This next series of doors were taken during a family holiday almost exactly a year ago in Madeira. My wife and I chose to go there, because of the pleasant September climate, but more to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and return to Madeira where we spent our honeymoon. Although so much has happened in our lives between visits, Madeira itself had changed very little in the intervening years, which in a way was quite comforting.
These doors are in chronological order and don’t follow any deliberate themes, but as you’ll see some combined two of my interests – doors and street art, in a way that is so satisfying. I hadn’t planned for this serendipity, although others in my family suspected it was contrived.
I hope you enjoy these doors as much as I did:
Doors in a large frame, Rua de Sao Filipe, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Iron gates, Rua Das Rosas, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Door with flower-decorated panels, Travessa de Joao Ribeiro, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Sea scene door, Travessa de Joao Ribeiro, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Door with a mural of a fisherman under the moon, Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Door with a Mondrial-style painting with cartoon cats and dogs, Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Abstract door, Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025Door with a photograph of a man holding up a scabbard fish (local speciality), Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira, September 2025
Just a little taster of some doors from Madeira, and a sense of what is to come from this charming and beautiful Atlantic island. Naturally I felt like I had hit the jackpot when we strolled into this area in the capital which is well known for its painted doors… who knew? More to come next time.
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.
j9449j or All 4 Nothing if you prefer is a very different kind of writer. His nature-based anstract writing is nigh on impossible to read, but his decorative style is easy on the eye, and it doesn’t really matter that the letters are so disguised.
j9449j, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2026
This piece has an interesting colour selection choice which on paper probably would look a bit odd, but the blue, white, green and chrome actually looks good – it is unusual to see chrome incorporated into a piece in this way. This is just one of several recent pieces from the artist, who seems to be on a bit of a roll.
This little corner of the M32 roundabout where the footway underpass meets the outside walls has been a popular spot for Daz Cat over the years. It is the perfect size and shape for his cat characters and often left alone by graffiti writers because of the portrait dimensions.
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2026
This is a superb classic Daz Cat cat portrait piece. The sophistication that he brings to his pieces is lightyears away from his early work, and offers so much depth and detail. I love the little close-fitting hat, but the tongue hanging out wins me over completely – a great observation of cats that sometimes strike this pose. A fine piece by Daz Cat.
They’re at it again. Although it took Dibz and Fade a little time to warm uop this year, once they got going they have been fairly relentless all summer long. This is just a nice study in wildstyle graffiti writing on one of their favourite walls.
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026
The pair have gone for a pink theme, although when I first saw the collaboration, my first thought was Liquorice Allsorts and I can’t unthink it. This is a great example of technical graffiti writing executed to the highest standard. Exactly as I’d expect from these two.
The Cat Came Back, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2026
Oh how good is it to see this third recent piece by The Cat Came Back? Sadly though, I haven’t seen any more from the artist since I photographed this last month. In this fine combination piece, the artist shows off his considerable writing skills alongside a beautiful cat girl portrait.
The Cat Came Back, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2026
Where has The Cat Came Back been all this time I wonder, and are these pieces a flash in the pan or something to look forward to seeing regularly? The letters spell out Jones, which I am guessing is the artist’s surname. Great letters shapes and fills. The portrait is really well painted and perfectly proportioned. The piece is bold too, set on a black background. Lots to like here.
Zake has come along such a long way from his early column pieces under the M32 back in 2018 when I first came across his work. This year he has turned up the dial with a variety of really different character pieces that each tell a bit of a story.
Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026
In this piece, Zake has painted a cartoonish demonic character playing some mystical pipe. Behind him is a group of hooded characters, looking a little creepy to me, with lanterns held on sticks. Perhaps out protagonist is summoning them to do their evil deeds. Something a little different from Zaake.
Natural adventures 