A rail bridge that crosses Walker Road has lost its colour after the artist who painted it went public about his work to spark a conversation about art in public places.
Eugenio Mendoza said the bridge was painted brown within 24 hours of sharing his story with CBC News on Monday.
"I knew it was going to happen but I was shocked at how quickly it was," said Mendoza.
CP Rail called Mendoza's work "both illegal and dangerous" in a statement sent to CBC News this week.
'Subject to prosecution'
The statement said that "more than 80 Canadians died while trespassing on railway property" in 2017.
"Individuals that trespass and commit vandalism to railway equipment or infrastructure will be subject to prosecution," said a spokesperson for CP rail.
The spokesperson declined to comment when asked how much it cost to remove Mendoza's work, if they'll be pressing charges or if the removal of the work impacted rail operations.
Mendoza said he hasn't been contacted by anyone about charges or repercussions for his actions.
'Was it worth it?'
On Thursday Mendoza said that his only regret about the piece was not having the time to re-touch the work before going public with his story.
"Was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it over again? Absolutely," said Mendoza.
"The people have spoken. Listen, they want more art in Windsor. Are they going to give it to us? We'll see," he said.
Mendoza said he's had offers from businesses on Drouillard Road to put his work on their walls this year.
Make an example
"I can understand if they want to make an example out of me but the fact is you got to outweigh the good and the bad," said Mendoza.
"Yes, I did a bad thing — but it's a conversation that needs to be started."
He said that people in the city are not using infrastructure in a way that promotes public art in Windsor.
"I look at Detroit and it's literally like looking into a different dimension," said Mendoza.
"Their art community has been booming for the last five years."