My name is Ryan Finley &
I accidentally became an artist!
I’ve always had a passion for drawing and painting, but growing up, I believed you either had to be wildly eccentric or incredibly famous—preferably both—to be a full-time artist.
However, everything changed one rainy Tuesday in December 2019 when I decided to paint a few pictures of family dogs with a childhood watercolor set on printer paper. I posted pictures of the paintings on Facebook, offering to paint anyone's pet for just fifteen dollars.
Since that day, people haven’t stopped asking me to make things.
From pets to portraits to expansive murals for businesses, I've been pushed to create works that my younger self never thought possible. Now, art has blossomed to not just my passion; it’s my career.
Today, I’m a full-time multi-disciplinary artist specializing in fine art paintings, murals, and custom design work. In every medium, I strive to create pieces that feel timeless, friendly, and rich with narrative.
I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a major in visual communications, focusing primarily on photography and graphic design while doing painting on the side. With this background, I love making a cocktail of vintage-inspired, eclectic, and contemporary work that feels both fresh and familiar. My paintings are especially influenced by film photography with its softness, warmth, and sense of nostalgia.
At my core, I love connecting with people. I understand that many clients come to me for their first experience purchasing original or custom art, and it’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. I aim to bring light to clients’ visions, goals, and passions, and I want to build relationships just as much as I want to create art. Faith plays a key role in the inspiration behind my work. There is nothing more precious to me than the fact that we are created by the Creator to create.
The types of commissions I offer, from most to least intricate & immersive:
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Murals
The ultimate artistic statement, murals—painted directly on a wall—turn entire rooms into immersive works of art. Whether for a large-scale business or an intimate home, they’re designed to elevate and transform spaces, creating something totally unique to you.
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Acrylic on Canvas
This is my most requested style of painting. Unlike watercolor and charcoal on paper, these paintings are on gallery wrapped canvases, eliminating the need for framing under glass. They tend to be more detailed, with richer colors and layers of texture. From portraits to landscapes, this style offers a timeless heirloom of any subject, adding warmth and vibrancy to any space.
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Loose Watercolors
Light, airy, and effortlessly beautiful, these pieces are not photo-realistic but capture the energy of a moment through watercolor paint layered with pen illustrations on fine art paper. Loose watercolors are recommended for house portraits and images with large crowds of people.
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Charcoal on Paper (Black & White Drawings)
Classic and simple, these monochromatic works capture subjects in a sketched style. These are perfect for portraits displayed in neutral spaces or gifts that require a smaller budget/faster turnaround time.
