Another wonderful framed piece in the Elton Street gallery, this time from Jody. What is so fascinating about this piece is not so much what Jody has painted, but what is absent beyond the confines of the frame – we are getting a peek into something much bigger.
Jody, Elton Street, Bristol, August 2026
Jody has painted part of a portrait, which looks very much in the futuristic comic style, with the eyes and nose clearly in view. The rich colours hint at a dark and shady scene, probably nighttime. There is some great detailing reflecting the way of graffiti writing, with lots of splats and drips, that appear to be so at home in this piece and don’t in any way disrupt the portrait. Skillful and intriguing work from Jody.
Turoe, Jody and Fade, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
I’m not sure what the occasion was, but it doesn’t really matter when three such accomplished artists come together. The triptych combination collaboration is by Turoe on the left, Jody in the middle and Fade on the right.
Turoe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Turoe has been a little more active of late which is great to see, and it might signal an improvement in his health which I understand has been a challenge for him in recent years. This is a gorgeous piece of graffiti writing, which with its white and grey fill, gives the impression of being reflective chrome or other metal. A decent red drop shadow lifts the letters above the dark velvety purple background.
Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Any reference to Star Wars is always welcome on these pages and this outstanding portrait of Darth Maul by Jody is top drawer stuff. (note to self – prepare a Star Wars gallery). Jody has captured the character perfectly and manages to convey his attitude and menace. The background of the planet Mustafar works well with Darth Maul’s lightsabre
Fade, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Fade had a quiet winter, but now that the weather is fine (almost too fine) he has been out and about more frequently. This classy bit of wildstyle graffiti writing is vibrant and full of movement augmented by the squiggly border. Some nice transitions in the fills with reversed bubbles appears to have been applied with such ease. None of this is easy, and these three artists are at the top of their game.
Goldie, Jody, Dibz, Posea, Zuke, Soker, Cheo and Fade, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
This piece is difficult to describe in its entirety. It is an epic piece to celebrate one year on from the Goldie inspired Ikea wall, and also to honour DJ Randall, and this particular spot has been used by the THK crew for a few years now to pay tribute to the departed musician. The paint jam included work from Goldie, Jody, Dibz, Posea, Zuke, Soker, Cheo and Fade. It is worth noting that this piece hasn’t been touched since it was painted in August.
Goldie and Zuke, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
From the left, the collaboration begins with a piece of graffiti writing by Goldie and some flowers by Zuke. Some bright and rather beautiful work here to get things going.
Jody and Zuke, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
Next up is a portrait of DJ Randall by Jody, one of many renditions of the artist that has graced this spot. Once again, the portrait piece is embroidered by some flowers by Zuke. The greyscale piece is punctuated only by a gold tooth and gold ring.
Dibz and Zuke, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
Dibz is up next, with the letters AMBER (I think), and of course, there are some more flowers surrounding the letters, and a trademark Bee by Cheo. The letters are beautifully filled, and the drop shadow has a wonderful pulsating effect.
Posea and Zuke, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
The steel case with the Metalheadz logo and record sleeve are by Posea and each of the contributing artists has signed the sleeve, almost as if it were a tangible object.
Soker, Cheo, Fade and Zuke, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2025
Finally, the epic wall is rounded off with writing from Soker, a toucan smoking a cigar and a python by Cheo and the letters THK by Fade, once more festooned with Zuke’s flowers. The whole wall is a bit of a masterpiece, that has been enjoyed by many this year.
Wispa and Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025
I was lucky enough to be present when this piece was being painted, but stupid enough not to say hello to one of the artists. I had been chatting for a while with Esme Lower who was painting next to this piece, and needed to get back home, so said a quick hello to Jody and unfortunately didn’t talk to the lady who was painting with him as I didn’t recognise her and had to dash. What an idiot – it wasn’t until I returned to the piece that I was realised I had been standing in the presence of the brilliant Wispa. Note to self – always say hello if you get a chance.
Wispa and Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025
Jody and Wispa have painted this wonderful combination piece, with the letters W_SPA from Wispa and the masked character by Jody. I don’t know who the character is, but the metallic shine to the mask and helmet is superb. Wispa’s letters are, as ever, immaculate. Next time I’ll make sure I say hello.
Aimes, Esme Lower, Jody and Conrico, Jamaica Street, Bristol, November 2025
There was a time a few years back when this superb hoarding, the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft outdoor gallery, would be refreshed on a regular basis with all manner of collaborations, these days it tends to be used more for social commentary and messaging, which is not entirely surprising, and welcome. On the downside, it doesn’t get painted with the same frequency, as the messages have longevity. This is a superb, and rather eclectic collaboration from Aimee’s Esme Lower, Jody and Conrico in support of Bristol’s homeless.
Aimes, Jamaica Street, Bristol, November 2025
The collaboration begins on the left with a colourful piece by Aimes. The creative piece hints at homes with the brick wall, and also recognises one of the backers of the campaign, the Big Issue, an outstanding set up that has been supporting homeless people for years through a model of engagement in the process of creating and selling print/digital newspapers.
Esme Lower, Jamaica Street, Bristol, November 2025
The next piece is by Melo who has been on fire recently. The comforting piece is a combination of an illustrative cartoon style that verges on the abstract in places. Two characters, one of them drinking a hot drink and some beautiful flowers, gives us a scene full of hope and opportunity.
Jody, Jamaica Street, Bristol, November 2025
The portrait piece by Jody, is, I believe a copy of the front cover of the Big Issue, featuring DJ James Hype, who was holding a fundraising event at the Beacon to support homelessness. Jody, as ever has smashed it with the greyscale piece.
Conrico, Jamaica Street, Bristol, November 2025
Finally, Conrico has painted some low-cost container houses amidst a floral display, and the words ‘building homes from house’ making the connection between the fundraiser and the outcomes. All in all these four artists have combined to support a powerful and valuable message to the people of Bristol.
It is obvious that two paint jams have been giving me plenty of material to write about; Dibz’ and Minto’s birthdays, I think both turned 50 this autumn. This Halloween Count Dracula piece by Jody was to celebrate Dibz half- century.
Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025
As portrait pieces by Jody go, this one isn’t, in my view, his best, not because of the obvious quality, but because it somehow doesn’t quite sit right with me. It happens from time to time and I can’t explain it. Perhaps it is the cape, which could do with more texture and folds, or maybe the red lips… of course, I am being unbelievably picky, it is a great portrait piece by a superb artist.
What better way to celebrate Goldie’s birthday than to paint a rather slick tribute, which is what we see here from Dibz and Jody. The sharp letters are by Dibz and the unusual fill by Jody, who is perhaps better knows for his characters and portraits.
Dibz and Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025
As well as providing the ‘canvass’ for Jody’s work, Dibz has also painted a Metalheadz logo (Goldie’s record label) and THK to the right. The fill of Goldie’s trademark gold teeth by Jody is quite remarkable, and notable for the reflections (probably of the photographer or viewer). The whole thing is crisp, neat and tidy. A little bit more attention to the black buff (a second coat?) and this would be perfection.
Fade, Jody, Dibz, Cheo and Acid Face with a Brace, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
In Bristol, we are really lucky and get to see a lot of collaborations and paint jams about the place, bringing together local artists who are often joined by visitors, invited or passing through. We get to see all sorts of different styles and levels, and then occasionally a top drawer special production like this one from Fade, Jody, Dibz, Cheo and Acid Face with a Brace.
Fade, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
Photographing this production in its entirety was something of a challenge due to its sheer length and some difficult light conditions, with so much open sky above the wall. To start us off on this wall we have a semi-submerged piece by Fade, with the water level cleverly portrayed using different shades of colour above and below the water line, a theme continued by each artist through the production. Some dramatic skies round off Fade’s section nicely.
Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
Next up is a portrait piece by Jody featuring a warrior with a deep fur collar and long sword, so I am imagining a Viking theme going on, although I can’t help feeling that the hairdo doesn’t quite match the machismo of the character.
Dibz, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
In the centre and holding the whole production together is a piece of typically brilliant writing from Dibz, again, with the water line running through it and incorporating a wonky long sword. The dramatic skies also continue through this story.
Cheo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
Cheo brings a whole different style to the piece, while faithfully following the Viking idea. His cartoon warrior, wading through the water, is festooned with long blonde hair tied up with red bands. His snarling face is made rather comical with the tilt of his helmet. Of course, a trademark bee, also with a helmet, is in attendance.
Acid Face with a Brace, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2025
Rounding off the production is some more writing from Acid Face with a Brace, whose collaboration with Dibz and Fade in Dean Lane from earlier in the summer is still very much intact. The theme is beautifully embraced by Acid Face with a Brace, and he has included a wave breaking over his letters, mirroring the Fade piece at the other end. Awesomeness all round.
The collection of artists gathered together for the Knowle West paint jam was really out of the top draw, bringing together a variety of Bristol styles and one or two visitors too. This is a stunner from the outstanding Jody.
Jody, Knowle West, Bristol, July 2025
The only downside to this fabulous new spot is that there are quite a lot of cars to navigate around, and being a residential area, I can’t imagine there being a time when there won’t be parked cars. Some wide-angle shots partially overcome this problem, but not entirely.
Jody, Knowle West, Bristol, July 2025
Jody has painted a gorgeous portrait piece of a woman with a wonderful feather headdress. There is a calm, ethereal feel to the piece which clearly brings out Jody’s amazing talent. A very fine piece indeed.
Fade, Jody and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2025
Here we have yet another epic production collaboration from Fade, Jody and Dibz, who have been knocking it out of the park for a couple of years now, creating some breathtaking triptychs from the two writers and the ‘character’ artist.
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2025
I watched them for a short while while they painted this piece, and while the two writers were well advanced with their work, Jody’s skull portrait was still some way off. On the left, Fade has produced some gorgeous ‘lava’ letters tinged with some turquoise highlights and some purple smoke plumes. His letters look like CREAM, but I can’t be sure.
Jody, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2025
The centrepiece is an outstanding screaming skull by Jody. He really is a most talented artist, both in his studio work and his street art. His technique is simply awesome, and he manages to create such depth and texture with the deft strokes of the spray can. Brilliant stuff.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2025
Dibz, to the right, mirrors the colours of Fade, as is so often the case with these production pieces. The letters spell DIBZ, a little easier than Fade’s to read, and contain the same hot lava look. The triptych as a whole has a searing heat about it, as if the poor soul in the middle is trapped in hell. Outstanding collaboration.
Natural adventures 