Tim was born in Oklahoma in 1958 and grew up in Arizona, California and Oklahoma. At age 14 he was offered his first painting commission. His fee was the art supplies needed to create the oil painting. "It was a great leap of faith on the part of my first patron" he says. By age 16 his work was being consigned to art galleries, at age 20 his work was in Trailsides and Altermans Galleries of Scottsdale and Dallas respectively. Principally known for oil painting, he also has created numerous bronze sculptures. In 1993,  he had signature membership bestowed to him by the founder of the Oil Painters of America and showed in 7 national shows consecutively.

Attending college on a baseball scholarship, Tyler found his greater opportunities lay in fine art. "I had more hits in the art room." he says. The staff of the college bought one of his oils for the school president his freshman year. The elegance and skill of the old masters always inspired his work. He still visits art museums regularly and reads voraciously. He also formally studied with numerous respected artist/teachers. Informally, he sought and was given great advice from working professionals. In Sante Fe and Scottsdale he contacted and sought advice from Wilson Hurley, Clark Hulings, Bill Owen, and Bettina Steinke all told him:"work from life". He has traveled from Washington state to Maine teaching workshops, attending his exhibits and painting landscapes. Often one of his five children would go along with him. "Artists visit national parks and museums as part of the job-sharing this with my kids couldn't hurt their upbringing."

He has shown in over 40 galleries in 34 states. As he was so generously given advice from established artists in his youth, since 2000, he teaches;  directly in workshops as well as via DVD's and magazine articles. His book on composition will be released soon. He has participated in Salon International, OPA national exhibits, and ARC Salon winning 5 awards the debut year of 2005. "The Deconstructionist" was the first painting by a living artists to break into the top ten list on Art Renewal Center with over 27,000 views. The Oklahoma State Capitol commissioned 7 oils from him in 2007. In June of 2009, Charles Banks Wilson, renowned artist and show judge, said of "Canning Pears" I think we all know which piece gets Best of Show. I have been to dozens of art museums including those of Europe-more than once in my life. This is not only the best painting of this show but may be the best painting I've ever seen."

He is presently writing his book, working on a new figure instructional DVD in high definition and preparing for three one man shows. He lives upon a beautiful hilltop horse farm surrounded by maples, oaks and pines five miles from the university town of Fayetteville, Ark. His studio has 500 square feet of north light overlooking a stunning valley.