'Signtologist' turns street signs into art

AURORA - At a small arts festival in Aurora, Dan Ericson stood with his red baseball cap slightly tilted the side as the sun illuminated dozens of works from local artists including several of his own. The uniqueness of his works is rooted in the mundane canvas in which they're painted on: street signs.

"It's kind of backwards graffiti, fine art, pop art, there's a lot of different things it seems to touch on," said Ericson.

His style of art was discovered and created by accident five years ago.

"I ran out of canvas and went outside and looked around and found a No Parking sign underneath the carport that was aged to perfection and I just went to work on it," said Ericson.

Some of his works have been featured in magazines and music videos. One of his most popular pieces features a black painting of murdered hip-hop sta "The Notorious B.I.G." on a bullet ridden STOP sign.

"I think it resonated with people because you can read into it. 'Stop the Violence' - it just works on so many different levels," said the artist who is a graphic artist by day.

Another piece is of John Lennon. It's placed against a yellow sign with a bicycle on it. Ericson used the wheels as the lenses for Lennon's glasses. The 29-year-old artist says he'll use any sign he can get his hands on. So where does he get the signs?

"That's always question that comes up. I've gotten to a place where I'm getting city recyclables, signs that they take down that they can't use anymore. I try to breathe new life into them and turn them into a piece of art," said Ericson.

Ericson was dubbed the "Signtologist" by the Black Thought, the lead man for the hip-hop band The Roots. Ericson says much of his early inspiration came from rap music and hip-hop culture. Ericson's "B-Boy" demeanor may seem to contrast the other artists in the "Art Farm", a local organization of artists, but it all appeared to be in cohesion with the creative energy at Art Farm's second art festival of the year called "Full Bloom." Like many of his fellow artists, Ericson is trying to get his work recognized. It can be a tough and long journey with many artists looking for signs of hope. Ericson prefers to create his own signs. For more information about Art Farm, click here.