Gaylene Fortner grew up on a ranch in southeastern Montana where she adamantly appreciated the quiet community and country life. She now lives with her husband in Broadus, Montana where they have raised three grown children.

Gaylene Fortner has been basically self taught. She received a degree in Stenography and Office Practice from the National College of Business in Rapid City, South Dakota. The mediums that she uses in her painting are transparent watercolors, and oils, in both large and miniature paintings. These paintings are a large variety of subject matter, from rural western themes such as horses and cattle to still life, chickadees, and portraits. Collecting antiques to use for still life subject matter is a favorite hobby, along with growing flowers.

Her work has been accepted in many shows throughout the United States as well as miniature shows in London, England. Her participation in shows has included the 2005 Miniature Art Society Show of Florida (Juried); Gallery One Miniature Show of Mentor, Ohio; Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Western Spirit Art Show and Sale, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and several years juried into the C. M. Russell Art Auction
Her memberships include: Montana Watercolor Society-Signature-1994; Women Artists of the West-Signature; Northern Plains Watercolor Society-Signature; Florida Miniature Society; Georgia Miniature Society-member; and the Cider Painters of America.

Her work has been published in Wildlife Art Magazine-Featured Birds, WAOW 2003; Inform Art Magazine-Featured Artist, Summer Issue 2002; Feature Article, Billings Gazette's "Enjoy" 1999; U S Art-New Releases-July 1997; and Western Horseman-Art Gallery, March 1997.