Graeme Payne has worked as a full-time artist since graduating from secondary school in 1974. His career has led him to work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. He has worked as a newspaper cartoonist and continues to produce commissioned caricatures.

He has written and illustrated books of his own as well as illustrating other peoples work.

Being born and raised in the New South Wales north coast town of Grafton and being surrounded by a rich and diverse range of natural environments, he developed an early appreciation of the plants, birds and animals of these pristine places. This intense interest has continued to inspire his art throughout his life and part of his repertoire includes much sort after wildlife studies.

Every aspect of life seems to captivate the artist and draw forth a visual response; from landscape to people; from philosophy to fantasy.

Graeme now lives 15 kilometres from Grafton with his wife and two daughters.