Urban – Natural adventures

7811. M32 roundabout J3 (782)

Ryder, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2026

I don’t get to see Ryder’s work nearly as much as I’d like to, but I guess he is somewhat occupied with work and family, and that can impact on how often you can get out. Anyone who has kids and/or been in employment, or indeed has had other commitments has been there – it can be difficult at times to pursue your interests with the same regularity and vigour as in less complicated times.

This is a lovely alien combination piece by Ryder with some superb letters spelling his name, a Simpsons alien character to the left, being fired upon by Bart Simpson to the right of the letters, and the laser pulse running through them. The alien is blurting out “take me to your dealer” a great pun on dealer/leader. A fun piece from Ryder, looking forward to the next.

7810. Dean Lane skate park (934)

You might be fooled into thinking that this piece is by an artist writing ESAR, but the artist is playing with his letters and with us, as it is, of course, by Asre. Many graffiti writers like to do this, a little bit of mischief and deception is part and parcel of the scene, probably derived from an inherent legacy desire not to be identified.

The nicely designed letters set on a yellow bubble cloud and lifted with a red drop shadow, have a solid fill without any decoration or variation. The blue is simply left with a very flat and clean appearance. This is a great example of a piece of writing that is straightforward and authentic, not in need of over design or pretension. WYSIWYG.

7809. Goodneston Road (4)

Cheo, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026

If one was to describe a typical piece of artwork by Cheo, this character work on the long hoarding in Fishponds would probably tick all the boxes… the archetype if you like. The character, a man wearing a cap and ski mask on his head and large gold chain round his neck is posing with two spray cans, one in each hand.

Cheo’s cartoon style is most endearing, especially when it includes the ever-present signature bee, in this instance lurking on the peak of the character’s cap. There is a nonchalant confidence in Cheo’s work, which is always presented to perfection. Solid fills are solid, folds in clothes well-thought-out, exaggerated features on his characters amusing and the composition, usually telling a story beautifully considered. Here is Cheo in a nutshell.

7808. St Werburghs tunnel (589)

Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2026

Second time lucky, I forgot to save this post first time.

Mr Draws has been enjoying playing around with his letters lately and here he has deviated from his customary DRAWS to write KUNST, which means ‘art’ in German. From memory This isn’t the first time he has written the word, and indeed he has had a connection with Germany in the past when he had been planning to work there a while back.

This is a calm and upbeat piece of writing at the farm end of St Werburghs tunnel, presented in Mr Draws’ gentle style. The outstanding colour selections for both the fills and the background make this a piece that is very easy on the eye. Great stuff once again from Mr Draws.

7807. M32 roundabout J2 (31)

John D'oh, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, May 2026 — John D’oh, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, May 2026

A return to John D’oh’s outdoor gallery, which currently is looking a little depleted following a buffing offensive by the council. This fun stencil, from back in May, perhaps highlights the futility of kissing frogs and hoping for a prince in a tired and resigned tone.

The stencil is nicely executed, with a young woman crouching to kiss a frog on a wall. The text above the piece is her thought bubble which reads:

“I’ve kissed so many frogs at this point that I’m not even looking for a prince any more: I’m just trying to develop a natural immunity to salmonella”

Humour is often the backbone of John D’oh’s pieces, and he has done a fine job with this piece. More to come from the artist in this spot.

7806. The Paintworks (7)

Omie, The Paintworks, Bristol, July 2026

I haven’t visited this spot for over two years, because access to it via a footbridge has been closed while the council have been making repairs to it. The bridge opened up about a month ago, much to the relief of walkers and cyclists alike. This piece, by Omie is also probably more than two years old, and I can say that with a little confidence in that he hasn’t painted much in that time, and the condition of the piece looks a little tired.

The tidy piece is one of those where simplicity adds to the overall presentation which is clean and unfussy. The letters spelling OMIE are filled with two shades of blue and a lighter shade of grey, divided by a horizontal separator that resembles an urban silhouetted landscape, but isn’t. The letters have a deep drop shadow and are set on a contrasting yellow background. It is so good to see something by Omie, even if it is an old one.

7805. Goodneston Road (3)

Donz, Goodneston Road, Bristol, July 2026

The distinctive style of Donz is disrupted slightly by incorporating the letters TICKZ instead of DONZ. I often wonder how difficult this is to do for writers who pretty much always use the same letters, it must present as some kind of challenge. Thankfully Donz has risen to the challenge in this instance.

Although I have arrived late to this spot (over a year late in fact), it would appear that little has changed in that time, with much of the length of the hoarding hosting tribute pieces to Tickz, a Bristol-based graffiti artist who died back in May 2025. The fills in these letters use typical Donz colours and contrasts and incorporates some tidy little designs. A bold black outline completes the piece nicely.

7804. Jamaica Street (33)

Goin, Jamaica Street, Bristol, July 2026

I had been tipped-off that Goin, who had been in Bristol for Upfest, was going to paint this wonderful ‘extra’ piece in Jamaica Street, but had been told the wrong day, so when I turned up he was nowhere to be seen. When I returned a few days later, here it was in all its glory.

The theme of this greyscale stencil was similar to one he painted for Upfest 2024, in which a young girl defends herself from bullying and danger and through the obvious power the red boxing gloves bestow upon her. The piece is both moving and rebellious, and crafted brilliantly by the French artist.

Goin, Spotted Cow, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

7803. River Avon (124)

Dirtygypo, River Avon, Bristol, July 2026

This wall has been in need of a tidy up for quite a while, and Dirtygypo has risen to the challenge with this delightfully colourful piece. Once again, I struggle to read his writing, but I think I can read a couple of Ss, or it might say something as simple as ‘stop’.

Each letter has been assigned a different colour and the whole thing starts off with his trademark skull, which is beautifully finished. This fine piece joined a couple of others that have been painted by the artist in this spot recently. Nicely done.

7802. Filwood Road (1)

Nightwayss, Filwood Road, Bristol, July 2026

Today’s post is significant for two reasons. Firstly it marks the welcome return of Nightwayss to Bristol after a couple of years spent away from the city, and secondly, it was his post on Instagram that alerted me to the three long hoardings in Fishponds of which this is one. The magnificent piece reminds me of what we have been missing during the artist’s absence.

A peacock in all its splendour is joined by three signature monkeys (I have missed the monkeys) that appear in most of Nightwayss’ work. The peacock is a fabulous bird to paint because of its iconic feathers and colouring, but it is the head with the little crown feathers that wins the day for me. I sincerely hope that this is the first of many new works by Nightwayss, who has been much missed in the city.

	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	Laura Newhampshire on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	slfinnell on Thursday Doors – 23 July…
	beth on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	poetisatinta on Thursday Doors – 30 July…

	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	Laura Newhampshire on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	slfinnell on Thursday Doors – 23 July…
	beth on Thursday Doors – 30 July…
	poetisatinta on Thursday Doors – 30 July…

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