Donny first became known for his watercolors: however years of trial and error have made him proficient in the mediums of oil, egg tempera, and acrylic. Now though the scope of material he uses for subject matter has broadened with his travels, and though his painting techniques are continually evolving, one can still sense the relationship between subject matter and artist in his paintings. Donny now resides in Birmingham with his wife Janet. He has three daughters and nine grandchildren.
Awards: Included in the more than seventy awards Finley has won are awards from the American Watercolor Society in New York, the National Academy of Design in New York, the National Watercolor Society in California and the Salmagundi Club in New York.
Exhibitions: Finley’s paintings have been included in national juried exhibitions including the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, the Mainstreams International Exhibition, Watercolor USA, the Rocky Mountain National Watercolor Exhibition, the National Academy of Design, the National Academy of Arts for the Parks, the Charlie Russell Museum and others.
One Man and Three Person Exhibitions: The Columbus Club in New York City, the Oklahoma Fine Arts Center, the Cheekwood Museum of Fine Arts in Nashville, the Meridian Museum of Fine Arts in Mississippi, the Isabel Comer Museum in Sylacauga, Alabama, the Greater Birmingham Arts Alliance in Alabama and others.
From 1979 to 1989 Finley had annual one-man shows with Bryant Galleries in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later showed at Studio 53 in New York. Finley also annually had one man shows at Trees Place in Orleans, Massachusetts and DeBruyne Fine Art in Naples, Florida.
Museum and Corporate Collections: The Birmingham Museum of Art, The Fine Arts Museum of the South in Mobile, Alabama, the Isabel Comer Museum in Sylacauga, Alabama, the Columbus Museum of Arts and Sciences, Coca Cola Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Southern Natural Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, Energen Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, Alfa Insurance Headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama, the McKenna Museum of African American Art in New Orleans and others.
Magazines and Publications: Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Magazine, American Art Collector, Mississippi Magazine, Alabama Magazine and others.
Books, (either written by, illustrated by or about artist): Moment’s Captured, A Catalog of the South, A Season for Simplicity, Reflections of a Thankful Heart, He Restores My Soul, the Grass is Always Greener, Peace Like a River, The Heart of Lovliness, A Woman after God’s Heart, A Child’s Moment, and A Passion for the Game.
Finley is an elected member of the American Watercolor Society and he is included in Who’s Who in American Art. Finley’s painting Fall Rainbow, was selected to raise money for the National Parks. Generations, an Easter egg painted by Finley was exhibited at the White House during one of the annual Easter egg rolls and is in the permanent collection of White House Visitors Center. Three of his paintings were exhibited in the American Embassy in Morocco during the tenure of former Ambassador Margaret Tutwiler. In 2006, the artist was commissioned by Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman to create a painting for the American Ryder Cup Team. Finley has participated in the Charlie Russell Museum Auction on several occasions.