Byron Dyes hasn’t found his niche.
The local artist and Denver native will draw and paint just about anything, and while others criticize his lack of consistency, he’s proud of his art.
“A lot of people say, ‘Well, you haven’t found your niche yet,’ and I say, ‘Well, I’m 57 years old. If I haven’t found it yet, it’s not going to happen,’” Byron Dyes said with a laugh. “I like the idea of painting different things, from a portrait to a landscape to a sports piece. I like that versatility.”
After spending 35 years in Denver, where he ran his own art gallery, Byron Dyes has opened a Tucson location. Third Eye Illustrationz, which specializes in custom paintings, opened at the beginning of last month on St. Mary’s Road.
Byron Dyes’ said his art was inspired by his family, who stay involved to this day; the gallery is co-owned by his brother and father.
“I just got into drawing. I would see my dad sketching once in a while, and me and my brother caught on to it and we’ve been [doing] it ever since,” he said. “I’m really proud of [our] artwork. It’s something I take pride in.”
Crystelle Dyes, Byron Dyes’ wife, manages the business and promotion aspect of Third Eye Illustrationz, while he creates the art.
Crystelle Dyes said she supports her husband’s work, describing his style as imaginative and intriguing.
“One of the things that you’ll see in his work is [that] although it may look realistic to you … if you really spend some time looking at it, there’s a twist to it,” she said. “There’s a non-reality.”
Byron Dyes said that his art has always been a part of his life, and he has picked up an array of artistic skills by painting his way through his hardships.
“I spent a lot of time on the streets, doing my own thing,” he said. “Over the years, the art has always saved me. It’s always been there, no matter the bad times. I could possibly say it saved my life a couple times — it’s that strong.”
During the gallery’s opening day, Dyes said he saw a turnout of about 50 people, but attendance has since seen a drastic drop, thanks to construction. Despite the hang-up, the couple said they have high hopes for the future of their gallery. Plans include possibly opening up a café next door, hosting weekly art lessons and creating a line of T-shirts. With plenty of opportunities ahead, the couple said they look forward to the gallery becoming more prominent in the downtown art scene.
“Everybody is very collective, and it’s a merging artist community that I think is going to lend itself very well to Fourth Avenue and Sixth Avenue — what’s already been established,” Crystelle Dyes said. “They think, ‘Well, everything is already done,’ but that’s not true. This is the upcoming artist community in Tucson.”
