We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Gately recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Through dynamic and emotionally resonant aviation art, I strive to capture the spirit of flight, evoking nostalgia and personal connections in every piece. My mission is to honor the past, inspire the present, and fuel the dreams of future aviators by bridging history and imagination through movement, energy, and storytelling. Whether for veterans, aviation enthusiasts, or aspiring pilots, my art serves as a lasting tribute to the stories, memories, and passion that make flight unforgettable.

Tyler, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Tyler, an Army Iraq veteran and artist with a passion for aviation. My journey into painting started unexpectedly—I was searching for a Chinook painting that captured the movement and energy I remembered from my time in the Army, but I couldn’t get my hands on one I like in the United Kingdom. So, I picked up a brush and created my own. That single moment launched a deep passion for aviation art, and I’ve been bringing aircraft to life on canvas ever since.

I specialize in dynamic, emotion-driven aviation paintings that go beyond just depicting aircraft. My goal is to capture the spirit of flight—the speed, the power, the nostalgia—so that every piece tells a story and sparks personal connections. Whether it’s a veteran wanting a painting of the aircraft they served on, an aviation enthusiast looking to bring a favorite plane to their home, or a young dreamer aspiring to be a pilot, my work is designed to inspire.

What sets my art apart is the way I infuse movement and energy into every painting. I want viewers to feel the roar of the engines, the rush of takeoff, or the weight of history behind a legendary aircraft. I’m most proud of the way my paintings bring people together—whether it’s a veteran reconnecting with their service memories, a pilot celebrating a lifelong passion, or a family honoring a loved one’s legacy.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest things I had to unlearn on this journey is the idea that social media success is all about quantity—constantly posting, churning out content, and staying visible at all times. I used to think that the more I posted, the better my reach would be. But I’ve learned that in reality, it’s quality over quantity.

For me, it’s not just about pushing out content; it’s about sharing meaningful stories, creating connections, and putting work out there that I’m truly proud of. I’d rather post one painting that resonates deeply with people than ten that just fill a feed. The right audience—whether veterans reliving their service memories, aviation enthusiasts geeking out over a favorite aircraft, or young dreamers inspired by flight—will always appreciate authenticity over frequency.

So now, instead of stressing over how often I post, I focus on making sure that when I do, it’s something that matters. That shift has not only made social media more enjoyable but has also helped me build a community that actually engages with my art in a meaningful way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A challenging moment in my journey as an artist was standing at an art market for six hours straight and selling absolutely nothing. I put in the work—painting, prepping, setting up my booth—only to leave losing money after the booth fee. It was humbling, frustrating, and, honestly, a little soul-crushing. I started wondering, Is my art just not good enough? Am I wasting my time?

The cliche about resiliency is true: It’s what you do after a perceived failure. I had to honestly reflect on the day and realize I didn’t meet anyone who connected to the art. Some “these are neat” or “nice colors” but no real connection. Since then, I have targeted locations where my audience has a higher chance of shopping and better aligning my digital content to create those connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tgcolorworks.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tg_colorworks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.gately.92

Image Credits

Tyler Gately