Born in Luton, England, Rayner moved to New Zealand in 1973 and gained a BFA from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, in 1988. Forging a career as a 'paparazzi' celebrity portrait painter, Rayner would immortalise cringe-worthy moments of the rich and famous on canvas.
In 2004 he took up a new medium, ceramics, and has taken it upon himself to modernise the Toby Jug. Dubbed Pioneerware, the jugs bear the mugs of famous potters such as Briar Gardner, Elizabeth Lissaman and Luke Adams.
Fond of self-portraiture, Rayner often models himself in various guises. In his works he has re-created himself as characters such as Goldilocks and Humpty Dumpty, and has more recently moved out of the storybook realm to re-create himself in the guise of other people, such as fellow artist, Ronnie van Hout.
Well known for trotting out his drag personality, Miss Courtenay Place, at exhibition openings, Rayner enjoys a double-life in his real life as well as his artistic one.
Having worked at the Sarjeant Gallery in Wanganui from 1998 to 2006 as the Senior Curator, Rayner now works solely on his pottery. He often works in a studio alongside his brother, Mark, which he describes as "creatively stimulating and twice the fun".

Mandy Herrick, 2007
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