Silas Byers III was selected as the Bella Vista Arts Council featured artist for September.
Byers said he's lived in Bella Vista for 26 years and became a photographer when he learned he enjoyed taking landscape and wildlife photos more than he enjoyed painting them.
"I'm a graphic artist ... I started shooting wildlife photos for reference and I never quit -- which means I never started painting again," he said.
He has a lot of gorgeous material to work with in the surrounding area, he said, and he's been out photographing in different parts of the world, including Alaska, the Baja Peninsula, Costa Rica and Africa.
"Arkansas is hard to beat," he said.
He has to carry a lot of equipment when he's backpacking, including standard outdoor gear plus all his photography equipment.
"It's worth it though," he said.
Whitetail deer are a favorite subject, he said, though they're also very difficult.
Byers said he's very glad people like his work and he's honored to be recognized by the council. This is a great avenue to help local artists, he said, and he's glad to live in a community that supports its artists.
Byers said he's always learning and improving his craft and this recognition is a little more impetus to keep going.
"It gives me a little umph to do more of it," he said.
Canvas prints of his work are on display at the Artist Retreat Center until Oct. 14 and may be viewed during regular Java Dudes business hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Arts council member Terry Wilson said he's very impressed with Byers' work. The council is trying to highlight different kinds of artists, he said, and this was an excellent choice among Bella Vista's photographers.
"I'm really pleased they chose him," Wilson said. "When you look at his photos, it's like you're standing in that exact spot."
General News on 10/10/2018