This Windsor artist turns old hazard signs into eye-catching street art

Don't be alarmed if you happen to see a strangely alteredhazard sign in an unexpected spot.

They're pieces ofstreet art, created and posted by Windsor artist Ken Klingbyle also known asApeks.

"Those are just a playful way of letting people see my art," said Klingbyle, 37. "Kind of a little treasure you can find."

Klingbyle estimates he's put up around 50 of the pieces in recent months. He was inspired to make them after getting his hands on a stack of old industrial workplace hazardsigns.

Each piece ishand-painted with Klingbyle'spersonaldesigns. Distorted, grinning skulls and wacky eyes are recurring motifs as is a beaked cartoon character Klingbyle calls "Bird Flu."

He often includes a simple, uplifting message: "Be happy," "You are loved," or "You are beautiful."

"It's just putting a little positivity out there," Klingbyle said. "Because the world needs more positivity."

Klingbyle says his next round of signs will have the message "Sobriety over death" meant to encourage those struggling with addiction issues.

Installing the signs is a matter of finding the right location and judicious use of some nuts and bolts. He doesn't ask for permission but he doesn't expect their placement to be permanent, and knows thatthey can be easily removed.

Re-purposing found items is part of Klingbyle's artistic philosophy. He has a habit ofscroungingFacebook Marketplace for stuff to use one of his signature paintings was done on a wooden board that he broke in half.

"It's basically whatever I can get for free," Klingbyle said with a laugh.

Klingbyle reckons he's been making his own brand of art since his early teenage years. Graffiti was a big influence although he now considers himself retired from that art form.

At the same time, Klingbyle feels his art has more life outside of galleries.

"You don't want to get into the vandalism act of it, right? I'm trying to put something out there that's for everyone," he reasoned.

"Even these (signs) get taken down quite often. But they get seen. I know some people take them down to take them home and that's fine by me, because art is meant to be enjoyed."

Art brings 'fun and playfulness'

One of Klingbyle's pieces attached to a handicapped parking sign on Wyandotte Street East near Pillette Road has recently attracted attention on social media and in person.

Passersby on Thursday had positive reactions.

"I think it looks great. Adds some colour to the streets and I love supporting local artists," said Fred Krysko.

Tam Hamdah, who works at nearby Tall Tide Tattoo, deemed Klingbyle's art "really cool."

"I think it just brings a little bit of fun andplayfulness to the area," she said. "You can still tell where you're parking, and that it's a handicapped spot. It doesn't really take away from that."

Want to see more of Klingbyle's work? He'll be atthe upcoming Dropped On Drouillardstreet festival, Aug. 17 in the 1000 block of Drouillard Road.