Ray Leaning was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1959. As a teen he fell in love with rock music, motorbikes, girls, and comic book art, and after a varied early career, Leaning began studying at the Exeter College of Art, graduating with a degree in fine art in 1984. Following a brief period teaching art, he began working as a graphic designer in the field of illustrated publishing, and over the years has found time and space to pursue his first love: painting sexy ladies.