7246. Frome Side (60)

Totosoapcity, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025
Totosoapcity, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025

Frome Side, as I like to call it, is a spot that runs underneath a stretch of the M32. The concrete walls are on either side of the canalised River Frome, and crossing from one side to the other is perilous to say the least, across slender concrete slabs, about 2ft wide without a handrail. I tend to remain on the east bank, where the access is, and photograph the west bank from there, looking across the river. This piece from Totosoapcity was on the far west bank.

Totosoapcity, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025
Totosoapcity, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025

Totosoapcity has a unique and easy to recognise letter style which tends to remain pretty much as standard from piece to piece, and it is the decoration and fill that provides variation. The letters ARS(Z)A have a symmetry about them, and are filled with an unusual selection of colours in a radiating geometric pattern. The background is decorated with what looks like piles of rocks. Interesting stuff from Totosoapcity.

7245. Dean Lane skate park (876)

Pekoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025
Pekoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025

This small piece by Pekoe marks the return of her ‘XXX hates fascists’, theme, which in this instance declares that is it Bristol that hates fascists, and one can be on fairly safe ground that it is indeed the case. It would look odd if somebody raised a hand and said “well, actually, I quite like fascists” – we know that they are out there though.

Pekoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025
Pekoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025

The piece was painted for Dean Lane Hardcore, I think. I feel that I haven’t seen enough of Pekoe’s work this year, and there has been a period of quiet from the regular drumbeat of RBF (Resting Bitch Face) paint jams this year – Family life seems to be a factor for some members. As ever, I look forward to more from Pekoe.

7244. Frome Side (59)

Sketch, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025
Sketch, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025

Finding my way back down to the Frome Side spot after it had been gated off for a while was a bit of a treat, because there were plenty of new pieces and a handful of new artists waiting for me. Ont of the new artists is Sketch, who has been fairly busy underneath the M32.

Sketch, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025
Sketch, Frome Side, Bristol, September 2025

This Picassoesque column piece really appeals to me. Of course the style is wholly derivative, but there is no shame in that at all, because the same could be said of most art. The features of the character are painted in black and white, set on a background of colours in the broad shape of a head. I think I met sketch a while back, and he told me he was learning and practicing, which is great to hear. As he develops, he will get bolder with his black lines, and stronger definition. I love this and celebrate this relative newcomer.

7243. Dean Lane skate park (875)

Asre, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2025
Asre, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2025

It feels like Asre’s comeback is complete. He is painting pretty frequently all over Bristol, although he has switched in the large part from his character portraits to his writing, and appears to be enjoying it.

Asre, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2025
Asre, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2025

This is a particularly neat piece from Asre, with some great colours, and precision throughout. The letters are beautifully filled reds and oranges decorated with reversed-out spots. The bold black border is thick and strong, helping the letters to stand out. The piece is set on blue ‘clouds’ which also have strong black outlines – a typical element of Asre’s work. Lots more to come from the artist.

7242. Greville Smyth Park (5)

Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, October 2025
Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, October 2025

I have just swigged down half a cup of cold coffee, a regrettable decision, but one that has brought about a bit of focus for the day. Lots of things I have to do before settling down to the Arsenal v Crystal Palace match this afternoon. Weekends are short, too short, there is never enough time to do the things I must do and the things I want to do.

This is an absolute belter from Paul Monsters painted on the small building up at the bowling green in Greville Smyth Park, a spot often reserved for Upfest pieces, but with a small turnover between festivals.

Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, October 2025
Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, October 2025

Paul Monsters is known for for his outstanding geometrical designs and use of complementary colours to create light and shade which adds depth to his work. In this piece he has combined geometric crosses with concentric circles from the centre, an incredibly technical piece of artwork. Brilliant stuff, although I’m not too sure the dog was overly captivated.

Fall back

.

An extra hour’s sleep

is scant compensation for

shortening day length

.

by Scooj

7241. Leonard Lane (50)

Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025
Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025

Every once in a while, Alex Arnell makes a visit to Bristol, and when he does, he seems to gravitate towards Leonard Lane, an ancient narrow lane that used to be the boundary of the old city wall. Over the years it has been a favourite ‘safe spot’ for graffiti and street artists, although recently many of the walls have been buffed, perhaps in an effort to tidy up the lane.

Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025
Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025

Alex Arnell, whose characters are grotesque and nightmarish, has cleverly painted eight panes of glass on this window, with one screaming skeletal character in each. This is outstanding placement and use of an existing feature, although the owners of the window might argue with that. Alex Arnell’s scribbled style is pretty unique and negates the need for a signature. On this trip he left a few pieces, so watch this space for more.

7240. M32 roundabout J3 (723)

Noise, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2025
Noise, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2025

Although the letters in this piece are a little skinnier than one might expect from Noise, they are nonetheless unmistakably his. Of course, the fact that the letters spell NOISE removes any doubt whatsoever about the artist.

Noise, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2025
Noise, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2025

I would say that this is, in my view, one of Noise’s best pieces yet. By thinning his letters, he has created more scope for borders and intricate design, that perhaps his fatter letters restrict a little. The two tones of red and orange throughout are beautifully blended, and perfectly offset by the light blue border highlight. Even the grey buffed wall has been disrupted and made more interesting with some cracks. A really nice piece.

Hirsute

Cocker Spaniel, pre-haircut, Bristol, October 2025
Cocker Spaniel, pre-haircut, Bristol, October 2025

.

It has been too long

grim groomers will grapple locks

a weight off our backs

.

by Scooj

7239. Cumberland Basin

Minto, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2025
Minto, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2025

It has been rather good to see Minto maintaining a regular drumbeat of pieces going this year, continuing on from a strong 2024. This piece has quite a heavy feel to it, probably exacerbated by the dark blue buff background, which I fear slightly dominates the overall presentation.

Minto, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2025
Minto, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2025

In my mind, Minto’s work feels like it has been deconstructed and then reconstructed, like an apple crumble on Masterchef. There is a lot of busy work and colour throughout the writing, which spells a well disguised MINTO. There are lots of shapes and design elements which appear to have been carefully thought out, and which come together nicely to create the whole. I thought this would be a good time to share an updated gallery of his work.