Dwayne Tanner is a fifth generation Wyoming native was raised in the tiny town of Granger, Wyoming, Dwayne graduated from Green River, Wyoming, High School in 1971.

After a visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Whitney Gallery of Western Art, both in Cody, Wyoming, he dreamed of the day he would become an artist. After a subsequent visit with famed western artist John Clymer who generously gave the young artist several hours of his time, Dwayne had just what he needed to pursue his art career: true inspiration.

Dwayne works with gouache (opaque watercolor) although his earlier works were strictly pencil. He won his first award at the 2002 Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Western Spirit Art Show and Sale with his piece Summer's Dream.