John Dyer was born near Taunton in 1968. After completing a foundation course at Falmouth School of Art in 1987, he gained a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from Middlesex Polytechnic, showing his final year work at Smiths Gallery, Covent Garden.

A popular contemporary painter who lives and works in Falmouth, Dyer's amusing and colourful works are often seen in mixed and solo exhibitions, and in the auction houses. Aside from his painting practice, he has worked as a part-time lecturer from 1991 to 2000 at Falmouth College of Art. The painter Ted DYER is his father, and he is married to the artist Joanne SHORT. 

In 1989 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society by Robin Hanbury-Tennison. His work has been shown widely in Cornwall and throughout the UK. He has been Artist in Residence on many occasions, most notably at the Eden Project (2001-2008).