He’s got style. Real Change vendor, Tyree, to feature his drawings during Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk
Take Henri Matisse’s “The Cut-Outs,” add a splash of Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror” and blend in the simplicity and vibrancy of anything Mondrian has ever painted, and what do you get? The colored-pencil drawings by Tyree — and a style that is all his own.
Although Tyree, 54, has been drawing with colored pencils, crayons and art sticks for the past 30 years, it wasn’t until he started selling Real Change in 2012 that his artwork was able to reach new heights.
“I was telling my customers that I am an artist,” he said, “and they all helped me by buying my papers and giving me donations so that I could buy art supplies.”
Tyree saved up all of his Real Change dollars, went to the art store and got busy. “I did my first drawing, ‘Friends,’ in September of 2013,” he said, “which is named after my customers because so many of them helped me and started buying my drawings.”
His customers told him he “had a style that was all his own,” which is what his abstract gallery is titled: “Style of My Own.”
Word travels fast.
Tyree sells drawings on a regular basis, to the point where he’s now able to help other vendors by sending some of his customer base in their direction, and will be exhibiting his drawings at the next First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square.
“Real Change is good because they lifted me up when I was down and out,” he said. “Everybody needs that chance.” Tyree’s artwork is currently lining the walls of The Berliner Doner Kebab restaurant on the corner of First
Avenue South and Main Street or you can visit his website tyreecolorpencilsgallery.com.
And whatever you do, don’t miss his debut at Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk in the “Real Change Gallery” at 96 Main St., from 6-8 p.m., on July 2.