DeKalb artist works out deal with county over 'illegal' yard art

Kyle "BlackCatTips" Brooks, the DeKalb County artist in a tiff with officials over his yard art, got off without a fine Tuesday.

Brooks was cited for art installations on his Klondike Road lawn outside Lithonia, but admitted no wrongdoing in court, Channel 2 Action News reported. He's taken the pieces down for now.

But Brooks, whose art is displayed across Atlanta, said he’s still considering future installations that could go up in the yard. As long as they comply with code, he could do as he pleases.

“I love totem poles and sculptures, I like bright colors and smiles — We’ll focus on that,” he said after court.

DeKalb officials have said the sign-like works he first put up didn’t fit county sign ordinances. On residential property, the county said code prohibits putting up a sign without a permit. Signs also must be no greater than 24 square feet and no more than four feet above the ground.

Brooks, who’s done commissions for clients including Sweetwater Brewing and painted murals around Atlanta, has said he’d be OK with getting a permit before installing pieces. He didn’t realize that was a requirement before.

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The artist did not plead guilty to violating DeKalb County's sign ordinance and says more of his artwork will go back up.

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