Meet Timothy Colomer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Timothy Colomer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Timothy, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At Little Dog Art Studios, our mission extends far beyond creating and selling artwork—we exist to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As a veteran-owned business, I use art as a platform to promote healing, emotional expression, and community connection, especially among military veterans and individuals affected by trauma.

Through my paintings, I raise awareness around PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and the silent struggles many veterans face. I regularly donate original works and limited edition prints to support nonprofit organizations like the EOD Warrior Foundation, contributing to fundraising efforts that provide direct assistance to wounded veterans and their families.

Additionally, I create uplifting and personalized pet portraits that bring joy to people’s homes. These works not only celebrate the bond between people and their animals but also serve as emotional anchors for those coping with loss or loneliness. By offering live painting demonstrations, community engagement events, and online art giveaways, I aim to make art accessible and build a network of support and positivity.

Ultimately, Little Dog Art Studios is about healing through creativity—whether it’s by making someone smile with a painting of their beloved dog or giving voice to the invisible wounds of service through fine art. Every brushstroke is part of a larger mission to inspire, comfort, and connect.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is deeply personal. It’s the result of a journey that started as therapy and evolved into a calling. As a Marine Corps veteran and former bomb technician, I came to painting as a way to process the trauma I carried home. What sets my work apart is the raw honesty in my subject matter—whether it’s a joyful, whimsical pet portrait or a heavy, symbolic piece that reflects the weight of PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Every painting tells a story, and every brushstroke comes from a place of truth.

I’m most proud of the fact that my art has opened doors for conversations that otherwise might never happen. Through pieces like Rage, My PTSD Monster, and Survivor’s Guilt, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with other veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors who see themselves in the work. At the same time, I also paint joyful, lighthearted portraits of pets—capturing their spirit in a way that brings comfort and laughter to people’s homes. That emotional range is something I embrace fully.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. Transitioning from military life to civilian life was disorienting. Picking up a paintbrush felt like starting over—but it also gave me a sense of purpose. I studied tirelessly, invested in art education, surrounded myself with mentors, and showed up every day with humility and a willingness to fail forward. I’ve faced everything from imposter syndrome to the fear of vulnerability, but each challenge taught me something essential: that authenticity resonates, and consistency matters more than perfection.

I want the world to know that Little Dog Art Studios is about more than selling art. It’s about connection—between people, their memories, their pets, their pain, and their healing. My brand is built on storytelling, honesty, and faith. I paint because I believe art can make people feel seen, loved, and less alone. That’s my mission, and I’m just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First off—welcome to Houston! It’s one of the most vibrant, diverse cities in the country, and I’d want to give them a full taste of the culture, food, art, and hidden gems that make this place home.

Day 1: Kickoff in the Heights
We’d grab coffee and breakfast at Common Bond and then stroll through the Heights to check out the murals and little local shops. We’d stop by Jubilee for funky gifts and maybe a visit to Manready Mercantile for handmade goods and cologne that smells like a campfire.

Day 2: Art Day at Sawyer Yards & Spring Street Studios
I’d give them a private tour of my studio at Spring Street Studios and introduce them to some of the other incredible artists working there. Then we’d explore Sawyer Yards, maybe time it for a Second Saturday event when the entire complex comes alive with open studios, live music, and great food trucks.

Day 3: Bayou Biking and Saint Arnold Brewery
Morning bike ride along Buffalo Bayou Park, with skyline views and public art scattered along the trail. Lunch at The Raven Grill, and then a long afternoon at Saint Arnold Brewing Company—Houston’s oldest craft brewery—with a giant outdoor beer garden, great food, and even better people-watching.

Day 4: NASA + Kemah Boardwalk
We’d geek out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, then swing over to Kemah Boardwalk for carnival rides, seafood by the water, and a sunset stroll along the pier.

Day 5: Rodeo Vibes or Museum Day
Depending on the season, we’re either putting on boots for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, or spending the day at The Museum of Fine Arts and The Menil Collection. We’d grab lunch at Barnaby’s Café (always pet-friendly) and wind down with drinks at Eight Row Flint in the Heights.

Day 6: Galveston Day Trip
We’d take a day to drive out to Galveston Island, walk The Strand, visit Moody Gardens or the beach, eat fried shrimp at Gaido’s, and drive back with the windows down and a cigar for the road (just for me, probably).

Day 7: Chill & Grill
Final day—home base in Humble. We’d grill steaks in the backyard, swim, and set up the outdoor entertainment center with surround sound, cigars from Perdomo, and whatever movie we feel like quoting out loud. It’s the reset we need before they head home.

Houston has this incredible way of blending urban energy with southern hospitality. It’s a place where you can eat global cuisine, see world-class art, meet down-to-earth people, and still find a quiet moment under the shade of an oak tree. That’s the magic I’d want to share.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, I owe a great deal of my journey to a few incredible people and organizations who believed in me from the very beginning and helped me turn my passion for art into something with real impact.

First, I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Artists in Arms, a veteran artist collective that welcomed me into a community of fellow creatives who understand the deep connection between service, sacrifice, and expression. Their encouragement and camaraderie have been a source of inspiration and strength.

I also want to recognize the Houston VA Art Center, and especially Sheryl Corbit, who has been a guiding force in supporting veteran artists. Sheryl’s dedication to helping veterans heal and thrive through art is nothing short of remarkable. She provided me with opportunities, mentorship, and encouragement at critical points in my artistic journey.

A huge part of my growth also comes from the incredible support I’ve received at Spring Street Studios. Being surrounded by a vibrant community of professional artists has pushed me to continually evolve my practice.

And I absolutely must thank my mentor, Michelle Cyr, whose wisdom, patience, and honest feedback have helped shape me into the artist I am today. Her guidance has been foundational—teaching me not only how to improve technically, but how to think deeper about my work and its purpose.

These people and places helped me find my voice as an artist and gave me the support I needed to share it with the world. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Website: https://www.littledogartstudios.art/

Instagram: @timothymichael2336

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557019497377

Other: https://www.artmajeur.com/timothy-colomer

Image Credits
These are all paintings and images of paintings in homes/businesses – they belong to me and I authorize the use for this article & interview.