5905. Dean Lane skate park (700)

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024

Collaborations from Fade and Dibz are becoming part of the furniture these days, and it would be easy to slip into complacency or to take their work for granted. What I have to remember is that we are very lucky in Bristol to have two artists of this calibre at the top of their game and painting on at least a weekly basis.

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024

It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine who paints which bits of their collaborations these days, but my guess is that Dibz painted the letters FADE and Fade painted the character piece. It appears that the pair are on a bit of a Dragon Ball frenzy at the moment, as this is the second recent character from the cartoon series to appear in Dean Lane. This time it is the turn of Majin Buu.

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2024

The work of Dibz and Fade is pretty much always tight, and rarely, if ever, do they turn out anything that looks scruffy or rushed. This is what they do and they look like they are absolutely loving doing it. The benefactors of their labours are those that seek out and find their work.

5893. Dean Lane skate park (698)

Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024

Probably the most notable ‘high-end’ collaboration partnership of the last twelve months has been that between Fade and Dibz. Shortly after Fade’s return to the UK, he teamed up with Dibz and they haven’t looked back since, turning out outstanding collaborative pieces on an almost weekly basis. For sure, the increased output from Dibz has been incredible, as he had slowed down a bit during the Covid years.

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024

On the left Fade has written FADE in fairly soft lilacs with turquoise borders but surrounded them with vibrant bright oranges and yellows, providing contrast and interest. To the right is a character, Son Goku, from the TV series Dragon Ball – I never saw it, perhaps because I was too old, and didn’t have kids (1989-1996). I don’t know who painted the character… it may have been a joint effort.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2024

To the right Dibz has adopted a similar colour scheme, although applied in a different way. Such perfect writing, wonderfully tight as you’d expect. These two continue to smash it with every piece they paint, and it doesn’t look like they will be slowing down any time soon.

5822. Dean Lane skate park (688)

Dibz, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, February 2024
Dibz, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, February 2024

Something a little different from Dibz on the curved wall in Dean Lane skate park, illustrating the point that Dibz is anything but a one-trick-pony (some trick at that). The writing feels a little bit retro, and the incorporation of a series of black and white pixels adds to that effect.

Dibz, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, February 2024
Dibz, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, February 2024

Interestingly, the pixel squares are a little uneven and most unlike Dibz’ precision work – I wonder if there is a tiny chink in his perfect armour… The piece includes the word Metal Headz, which I assume means something to Dibz, but sadly nothing to me. Some fun and variety from the maestro.

5809. Dean Lane skate park (686)

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2024
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2024

I am so incredibly short of time today, suffering from having to plough through a mountain of work that has accumulated during the week that I was away. I sometimes wonder if it is worth going on holiday at all, because the feel-good factor wears off so quickly. This is a stunner from Fade.

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2024
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2024

It is quite difficult to understand just how Fade manages to turn out so many high quality pieces, each and every one completely original and perfectly turned out – he has certainly found his niche. This piece looks like a fiery furnace of coke or coal blasting out heat to create the hot letters. Great design, superb fills… excellent piece from Fade.

5762. Brunel Way (251)

Dibz, Shade One and Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz, Shade One and Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023

This is one of the last pieces I photographed in 2023, and what a belter of a collaboration it is, bringing together the outstanding skills of Dibz, Shade One and Rusk. As always, the light under Brunel Way rarely allows photographs to do the street/grafitti art pieces justice, but I think that it is possible to see what a classy collaboration this one is.

Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023

On the left is some superb writing from Dibz, which is a tribute piece to a supporter of his work, ‘Marie’. What this piece of graffiti writing shows is that you can give Dibz any number or combination of letters, and he will be able to create something beautiful with them. The pink and black drop shadow against the gold letters works so very well.

Shade One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023
Shade One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023

Shade One’s work is really something special, and this portrait piece of a young person wearing a hoodie and baseball cap set against the moon and silhouetted buildings, is exceptional. The portrait is painted in greyscale, and although there is a lack of colour, it doesn’t matter one jot, because the shade and shadows provide perfect depth and texture. A very fine piece indeed.

Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023
Rusk, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2023

On the right, Rusk, who is often found painting alongside Shade One, has created some gorgeous letters spelling RUSK, reflecting the gold and pink colours seen in Dibz’ piece. By using two tones of gold  (bronze/brown) transitioning horizontally through the letters, it gives the illusion that the letters are a solid bar being tilted and catching the light in different ways. A tight and classy piece and collaboration.

5723. M32 roundabout J3 (537)

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

There is just enough time to squeeze one more utterly awesome piece from Dibz and Jody before the year is out. Although not overtly Christmassy, this piece does have a sense of celebration and festival about it.

Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Dibz and Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

The wildstyle writing is from Dibz, and has a camouflage influenced design, offset perfectly with dark purple drop shadows. The letters, which of course are perfectly sharp and well finished, create a wonderful frame for the central portrait by Jody.

Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023
Jody, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2023

Jody has actually painted a lot on the streets this year, which has been a huge bonus, and he has definitely saved one of his best for this end-of-year collaboration. There is a sadness and calm in the portrait, and it feels religious or spiritual in nature. Simply stunning.

5718. Dean Lane skate park (671)

Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Good morning and happy Christmas Eve. A busy day for most, I expect, and definitely for me. One of my tasks today is to make a ‘Sussex Pond’ pudding, which is our alternative to Christmas pudding, which the kids and I don’t much care for. I’ll keep this short.

Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Fade and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Wonderful work from Dibz, Fade and Jody, who have teamed up several times this year to produce some outstanding collaborations. This is a true collaboration where all the contributions are in the one piece. Jody painted the wolf, and Dibz the letters, so I expect that Fade painted the wonderful background.

Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Jody steals thee show a little with his magnificent wolf portrait in the centre of the piece. It is so good to see so many street pieces from him this year, and I hope he continues into next year.

5706. Dean Lane skate park (670)

Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

Dibz and Fade have been a tour de force this year and I have featured a lot of their work on Natural Adventures along the way. I think that this collaborative piece might be the last this side of Christmas, and it is yet another cracker from the duo, a Christmas cracker if you like.

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

Adopting their usual format for long walls of a piece of graffiti writing from each artist, positioned either side of a central feature piece by either of them or a ‘guest’ artist like Jody or Sikoh. To the left, Fade has written a lovely sharp FADER FUA in pink and green letters, either side of which are cartoon characters, although I have utterly failed to identify what film/series they come from.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

On the right, Dibz has written his name in glorious gold with a sumptuous purple drop shadow and pink border, all as crisp as you’d expect from him. The character in this piece is, I think, Count Duckula, and some green gloop oozes from the piece in an evil way on the sides.

Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

The feature in the middle portrays a full moon with the letters FUA KREW, which is their From Up Above crew name. I don’t know which artist painted the letters, but they are 100 percent on point, in quite a challenging arrangement. Some great work from two of the tidiest artists around.

5697. Dean Lane skate park (668)

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

This year has seen the emergence of a powerhouse of collaborative graffiti writing and scenes from Dibz and Fade putting together some epic walls. Their drive and commitment has been unrelenting, and 2023 has been a special year in Bristol because of it. In this collaboration, they have been joined by Sikoh.

Dibz and Sikoh, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz and Sikoh, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

This watery piece is yet another perfect example of their collaborative style. Dibz’ letters are submerged under the waves, with just a little bit of pink breaking the surface, which is really cleverly done. there is a strong sense of swell and movement from the waves.

Sikoh, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Sikoh, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

In the centre is a character, which according to Sikoh’s Instagram is a water bear pig, whatever one of those is. Naturally, the water creature is holding a spray can which is squirting bubbles. The bubbles are exquisitely painted. This is something of a rare appearance by Sikoh, whose work is always superb.

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023

Rounding off the triptych is some great writing from Fade, which, like Dibz’, is largely submerged, with a little bit of pink breaking the surface. Fade has incorporated lots of arrows, perhaps indicating the fluidity of the underwater scene. A fine collaboration.

5680. Brunel Way (248)

Dibz, Fade and Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Fade and Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023

Here we have yet another classy collaboration between Dibz and Fade only this time they are joined by Smak in this Halloween extravaganza. The wall, as I have mentioned several times in the past, might be great fun to paint, especially if it is raining a little, but it is a devil to take decent photographs of unless the light conditions are perfect.

Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023
Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023

On the left, Dibz has painted a creepy ‘zombie’ hand clutching at a spray can, putting a finishing touch on the writing to the right of it. The letters are beautifully worked, and Dibz has adopted the traditional colours of Halloween pieces, namely, Orange, purple and black.

Fade, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023
Fade, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023

In the middle section, Fade has kept things simple with sticking to writing only with what looks like FADER, but could be something else altogether. All is neat and tidy with the piece as we’ve come to expect.

Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023
Smak, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2023

On the right-hand side, Smak has joined in with the festive fun with some very fancy letters and a skull character peering over the K to the right. The backdrop to the whole thing is a wonderful spooky silhouette of dead trees and towers, finished off with some autumn leaves sweeping across the entire length f the wall. A classy collaboration from three fabulous writers.