Daniel Burnett, a local artist charged with a felony for allegedly painting on a CTA bridge support in north Evanston, has chosen a deferred prosecution program instead of going to trial.
In January, Evanston Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew told the RoundTable that Burnett had been identified as the central suspect in the “Ender” graffiti incidents and police conducted surveillance, shadowing the artist.
Police said they witnessed Burnett painting on CTA property at Central Street on Dec. 15. He was arrested a week later and charged with criminal damage to government-supported property, a felony. A conviction could have led to a prison term. His court dates were pushed back three times, which gave him time to opt for the deferral program.
It is a 12-month program that could be reduced to 8 months with good behavior. Of course, he is not to get arrested again. Terms also include paying restitution of about $950 to the CTA (to “remedy the damage” he did). If Burnett completes the program successfully, the felony charge will be dismissed.
Since his arrest, Burnett has completed a beautiful 30-foot commissioned mural at a private residence in Chicago (see photo above). He said it only took him four hours. When asked how he could spray-paint so much in just four hours, and how he keeps his edges so perfect, he answered simply, “Can control!”
He is still working on a mural at Bitter Blossom, 1707 Maple St. He paints it at night, at the same time he is DJ-ing at the bar.
Burnett said his mural paintings are not thoroughly conceptualized before their execution – they are, in fact, “process art” – and that an artist’s vision and process need to be trusted. “Predictability,” he said, “is not artistic.”
Below are some examples of Burnett’s commissioned work, which he sometimes refers to as “aerosol artwork.”
