Meet Timothy Colomer | Fine Artist

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

Hi Timothy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For most of my life, I worked in environments where the mission was assigned to me. The Marine Corps gave me a mission. Corporate security gave me a mission. Eventually, I reached a point where I wanted to build something that reflected my own values and interests.

Art started as a way to process experiences, tell stories, and connect with people. Over time, I realized there was an opportunity to create a business around that passion. I wasn’t interested in simply selling artwork. I wanted to create meaningful experiences, whether through custom commissions, veteran-themed artwork, or projects like the Duck & Compass Society that encourage people to explore the world and connect with others.

My thought process was pretty simple: life is short, and I’d rather spend my time building something I believe in than wondering what might have happened if I never tried. Starting a business gave me the opportunity to combine creativity, service, adventure, and entrepreneurship into one mission.

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.
I’m a professional artist, Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and storyteller. My artwork ranges from fine art and wildlife pieces to military-themed works that explore resilience, service, sacrifice, and the human experience. What sets my work apart is that every piece begins with a story. I’m less interested in creating an image than I am in capturing an emotion, a memory, or a moment that people connect with on a personal level.

My path into art wasn’t traditional. I spent years serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in the Marine Corps before transitioning into corporate security and eventually earning an MBA. Throughout that journey, art remained a constant. It became a way to process experiences, communicate ideas, and connect with people from all walks of life.

Building a career as an artist wasn’t easy. Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve faced uncertainty, rejection, and the challenge of building an audience from the ground up. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that talent alone isn’t enough. Consistency, discipline, and a willingness to keep showing up every day matter just as much. The same mindset that helped me succeed in the military and business has helped me grow as an artist.

Today, I’m proud to have artwork displayed in private collections, support veteran and charitable organizations through my work, and continue developing new projects that combine art, storytelling, travel, and community. One of those projects is the Duck & Compass Society, which encourages people to explore the world, connect with others, and leave a little kindness behind wherever they go.

If there’s one thing I’d like people to know about my brand and my story, it’s that art has the power to create connection. Whether it’s a veteran seeing part of their own experience reflected in a painting, a family preserving a meaningful memory through a commission, or someone simply finding joy in a piece of artwork, those connections are what motivate me. At the end of the day, I’m not just creating art—I’m creating stories that people can carry with them long after they’ve walked away from the canvas.

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.
If my best friend came to visit Houston for a week, I’d want to show them the city beyond the typical tourist attractions. Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and that’s reflected in its food, art, and culture.

We’d start in the Museum District, visiting the Museum of Fine Arts and the Menil Collection. As an artist, I can spend hours walking through galleries, studying technique, composition, and storytelling. We’d also make a stop at the Rothko Chapel, which is one of the most unique and thought-provoking spaces in the city.

From there, we’d head to Houston’s art scene. We’d spend time exploring Sawyer Yards and the surrounding Arts District Houston area, where visitors can meet working artists, tour studios, and see everything from traditional fine art to contemporary installations. It’s one of my favorite places because you can watch creativity happening in real time.

For food, Houston is hard to beat. We’d spend the week eating our way through the city—Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, Cajun seafood, and some of the best Asian cuisine anywhere in the United States. Houston’s food scene reflects the incredible diversity of the people who call this city home.

I’d also take them to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Growing up during the Space Shuttle era, it’s hard not to appreciate the role Houston has played in space exploration. Seeing the history and innovation firsthand is always inspiring.

To experience the outdoors, we’d spend some time on the water near Galveston, enjoy the Gulf Coast, and maybe catch a sunrise or sunset along the beach. If the weather cooperated, we’d spend an evening watching the city skyline come alive from Buffalo Bayou Park.

Of course, we’d catch an Astros game if they were in town. Houston sports are part of the city’s identity, and there’s nothing quite like being in the stadium when the crowd gets behind the team.

What I love most about Houston is that it’s a city built by people from everywhere. You can spend the morning looking at world-class art, eat food from almost any culture on Earth for lunch, visit NASA in the afternoon, and finish the day listening to live music or watching the sunset over the bayou. That’s what makes Houston special to me—it’s a city of opportunity, creativity, and endless stories waiting to be discovered.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shoutout goes to my wife, Samantha.

People often recognize the visible accomplishments—the artwork, the businesses, the military service, the degrees, or the projects—but they rarely see the person standing beside you through all of it.

Samantha has been my biggest supporter, toughest critic when I needed one, and the steady voice that has helped keep me grounded through every chapter of my life. From military deployments and recovery after injury, to career transitions, graduate school, entrepreneurship, and building businesses from scratch, she’s been there every step of the way.

Starting a business can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and uncertain. Having someone who believes in you when things are difficult is invaluable. Many of the opportunities I’ve pursued over the years happened because she encouraged me to take the chance and supported me while I figured things out.

I also want to recognize the veteran, EOD, and artist communities that have influenced my journey. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors, friends, and leaders throughout my life. But if I had to dedicate this shoutout to one person, it would unquestionably be my wife. None of this would have been possible without her love, support, patience, and encouragement.

Website: https://littledogartstudios.com/

Instagram: @littledogartstudioshouston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BLzBbrXfe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/duck-compass-society/id6771568705