Typically, Pennywise from “It” is known for lurking in storm drains, wielding red balloons and creeping out unsuspecting kids. But the fearsome clown’s latest appearance turns out to be a rather stylish one: he’s now a spray-painted work of art in East Oakland.

While the design is undoubtedly Instagram fodder – especially with Halloween looming – you’ll have to ask permission before taking a photo with it. That’s because the nine-by-twelve foot mural is on the back wall of an elaborate Halloween-themed tiny house, which also serves as an Airbnb rental. Owner Ansel Troy said he spent nearly $4,000 on the ordeal, which hosts a slew of animatronic clowns and skeletons, as well as a graveyard scene shrouded in dry ice.

No, guests won’t have to stare at the ghoulish figures while they try to sleep. All of the props will be arranged outside, adjacent to the mural.

“You only live once, why not have a creepy clown in your backyard?” said Troy. “It’s just paint.”

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He came up with the idea after a trip to Costco with his five-year-old son, who became afraid of an animatronic butler being sold as a Halloween prop. Troy decided to buy the prop – not to be cruel to his son, but to foster a learning experience by showing him how to build it, part by part.

“He helped me to put it together, so I could show him it wasn’t scary,” he said. From there, his son seemed to take a liking to monsters, including Pennywise.

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Though the mural in his backyard was originally supposed to be Oakland-themed, Troy decided to shift his plans to surprise his son with an image of the horror icon. Earlier this year, he had reached out to Oakland artist and childhood friend, Fernando “Rush” Santos of Beast Oakland, about designing a mural. Troy was nervous about explaining the sudden design change, but Santos understood.

“My friends and family think it’s hilarious; it’s not really surprising to them,” Troy said. “I’m really into being a dad and having fun with my son.”

The freehand design of Pennywise was completed in less than a day.

If you're interested in staying in the creepy tiny house for Halloween, unfortunately, you're out of luck. Troy said it's already been rented out for the night, but he's opening the place up to horror aficionados and curious trick-or-treaters to visit from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfchronicle.com | Twitter: @byabartlett