Reg Finlayson has been painting for almost 60 years.  His journey as an artist actually evolved from his father, who was also a gifted artist.  It continued at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, where he was taught by prominent Canadian painters Franklin Arbuckle, Allan Collier, and Eric Freifeld.  He graduated in Advertising Illustration in l964.  After gaining experience in Canada as an advertising artist, he worked and travelled extensively throughout the world for four years, living in Sydney, Australia and London, England.  In 2024 he finally published a book called “Serendippity” about an almost 6 month overland backpacking journey he and his wife accomplished in late 1969-70 through Asia to get to Europe. (book cover pictured on this page)

Painting has always been a passion and his art inspiration was heightened while in Europe through intense scrutiny of the major galleries there.  On his return, he began painting the varied subjects from his international travels, and started winning awards in juried shows in the Toronto area. He worked for nearly 30 years at Chatelaine magazine; first in promotion, then into sales and marketing before becoming advertising director.

His reputation as a golf artist emerged from a love for the game, where he began as a young caddie; since 1995 while playing competitive senior golf, he won 14 senior invitationals,  plus the Ontario 60+ title in 2008, the Ontario 70+ title three consecutive years, 2012, 13, 14, and in total made 13 holes in one. 

In 2008 he made the Ontario Senior Team with top players John Marlow, Mike Jackson, and Kelly Roberts where they came second at the Canadian Championship in Victoria.  His last Canadian Championship was at the Briars in 2013 where he finished third in the Super Seniors (70+). Reg was the only Canadian whose work was featured in the prestigious American book “Tribute to Golf”.  Two of his paintings have appeared on the cover of the American magazine “Golf Teaching Pro”. He was also the President of the Senior Ryder Cup from 2011 to 2013.

Currently he has limited edition prints available in North American markets; eight of these are sold out.  He has done commissioned signature golf hole portraits of Canadian courses such as Glen Abbey, North Halton, Mad River, The Briars, Thornhill, Cutten, Stratford and others.

Now spending part of the winter in St. Simons Island, Georgia, he creates paintings of the people and places there.  Reg is a past member of Visual Arts Mississauga, The Central Ontario Art Association, and Glynn Art Gallery in St. Simons.  In juried shows on Jekyll Island, he has won best acrylic painting a number of times and has had  paintings accepted often in the prestigious Coastal National Juried Exhibit in St. Simons.  He has also completed a portrait of Mary Ann Lapointe, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

As an accomplished, widely respected painter, his journey and evolution has travelled full circle, with his subject matter ranging from portraits and landscapes to golf courses and other unique commissions.  To Reg, his surroundings are places to be explored and captured in acrylics.  His vibrant paintings attract accolades for their remarkable light, expressive brush strokes and poetic quality.  Each painting translates the mood and atmosphere of a particular moment in time and delivers to his audience a personal connection.  It is why his circle of devoted collectors has expanded, as his paintings and prints now are in homes and corporate offices throughout the world.