Ian Cryer studied at the Bristol Polytechnic and under Leonard Boden in Sweden.  He had his first one-man show at the Bristol Arts Centre in 1976 at the age of seventeen.  A professional painter all of his life, he has been involved in numerous mixed and solo shows in London, the provinces and abroad.  He has exhibited at venues throughout the country including the Royal Academy, New English Art Club, Royal Society of Marine Artists, Royal Society of British Artists etc.

He has been a Hunting Group finalist and made his West End debut in 1991 at the Cooling Gallery in an exhibition selected by the art critic Brian Sewell.  He has been included in the Discerning Eye Exhibition and has exhibited at the International Biannually in Malta.

His work is in many private and public collections and his patrons include Lord Bath, Price Waterhouse and Wadsworth Bass etc.