I think that this year, perhaps more than any other year, I have seen an increase in the number of visiting artists painting in Bristol, which tells me that it is very much a destination city for street/graffiti artists. This is, in my view, a really great thing and opens up opportunities to get acquainted with a huge diversity of artwork from across the country and beyond.
Squarms, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2025
I’m not too sure exactly when these colourful skeletons, painted by Squarms, appeared, but it was probably around the same time as some others under Brunel Way, perhaps in late June. These skeletons are brilliantly presented and have a feel of graphic design about them, as if they could be found on cards, posters, t-shirts etc.. Something a little different to enjoy.
Scrapyardspec, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2025
Scrapyardspec has returned to Bristol recently and dropped a whole load of pieces at spots all over the city, which seems to be his modus operandi when he visits. This multicoloured goofy face is in the little ‘tunnel’ area alongside the long wall at Cumberland Basin.
Scrapyardspec, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2025
There is something completely loveable about Scrapyardspec’s characters. You pretty much know that you are going to get a wobbly face with lots of teeth and googly eyes, but there is enough variability within that formula to ensure that each piece is interesting and unique in its own way. The background colours are what mark this piece out from some of the others, being much more colourful ‘a la fruit salad’ I would say. More to come from our welcome visitor soon.
I was rather hoping that this lovely turtle piece by Lis was going to last a while at the entrance to St Werburghs tunnel, but alas it was painted over after about a week. I was surprised, because it was painted on a bit of wall which has had a rather low turnover in recent years, and it was a fine and rather iconic piece, very much in keeping with the zeitgeist of the area.
Lis, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2025
I would say, with a touch of bias as a former marine biologist, that this is one of her best pieces to date. The Turtle itself is accurately represented, and the lines pretty clean and decorations tidily done. Lis’ inexorable progress continues apace.
Two things immediately leap out at me about this piece by Posh; first, I am always happy to find ANY pieces by him, because he paints quite infrequently (although he has been more active lately), and second, I have never seen his work at L Dub before, so was mildly confused and surprised to see it there.
Posh, L Dub, Bristol, June 2025
This is a combination piece in which Posh has incorporated his little ‘posh’ characters into his letters. I can’t work out what the letters spell, and a glance at his Instagram doesn’t help me with that particular piece of detective work. His little monocled figures are so full of character, mischief and fun and are an endearing element of his work. Looking out for more great work from Posh.
If ever you wanted an example of contemporary wildstyle writing at its best, you wouldn’t need to go any further than this exquisite piece by Dibz. The subtle tones and dark background are in harmony with this piece being a tribute to the late Tickz, hence the ‘rest in peace’ writing to the top left.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025
Everything about this piece is near-perfect. All the lines are sharp and clean, the fills tidy and unfussy, the white highlights consistent and bringing about a uniform 3D effect across the whole piece, and of course the halo in contrasting yellow. As tribute pieces go, this is about as good as it gets.
There were a lot of ‘out-of-town’ artists who converged on St Werburghs tunnel for Wispa’s birthday paint jam, many of whose work I haven’t seen before, including J Archer. I know little of the artist and haven’t been able to find out very much either, so I will stick to what I can see.
J Archer, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2025
This is a beautiful portrait of a woman in blue and purple tones. The proportions of the face are all good, and the features nicely picked out with light and dark shading. Although the portrait doesn’t look very big, It is probably about 7-8 foot square, which is actually a decent size. The squiggles through the face break up the piece and add to what might be a straightforward portrait. A fine tribute to Wispa – there were so many on the day.
There are a few artists who are synonymous with the Lawrence Weston (L Dub) spot, including DJ Perks, Hypo and of course Dun Sum. This is one of his fictional creatures, a monkey -type character conjured up by his fertile imagination.
Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, June 2025
There is a lot of expression and movement in the piece, with the monkey appearing to be yelling or screeching, in the way that chimpanzees do. The shaded tones in the animal’s fur and on the teeth and tongue are expertly done, creating loads of texture and depth. This is a brilliant wildlife character piece from Dun Sum.
Doors 316 – Doors of Godalming, Surrey, March 2025 (Part II)
I am writing this all in a bit of a hurry last night, because today I’ll be travelling to Eastbourne to run a workshop for a large nature partnership. Expect to see some doors of Eastbourne some time in the future.
Today’s doors are the second helping from Godalming, a small town in Surrey bristling with character and heritage, which I visited on a similar work trip back in March this year. If nothing else, my work rewards me with opportunities to go to parts of the country I’d perhaps have never thought of going to, and Godalming is probably one of those.
I took these pictures in the evening I arrived and early in the morning before my workshop started, it is a routine I have mastered over the last year or two. I hope you enjoy these doors and some of the timber frame architecture.
Black door on High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Black door and attractive surround, Church Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Door to The Pepperpot (formerly the town hall), Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Inner door to The Pepperpot (formerly the town hall), Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Door and shopfront to Pavilion (no more), Church Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Sealed door and shopfront to Pavilion (no more), Church Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Green door to a timber frame house, Church Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Blue door and accountant shopfront, Mint Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Two doors, brick and stone ground floor and timber frame building, Church Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
That’s enough Surrey culture for the time being. More to come next time. May I wish you all a very happy weekend.
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 Thursday Doors post.
Natural adventures 