Early Life and Academic Training Born in Dayton, Ohio, on May 10, 1940, Gary Bower began his intellectual pursuits far from the canvas. Before committing himself to the visual arts, he turned his attention to the study of philosophy. This early engagement with abstract thought and logic provided a foundational structure for his later creative inquiries. It was a period of rigorous mental discipline that preceded his formal entry into the world of painting. His transition into fine art led him to Ohio State University, where he would spend his formative academic years. He pursued both his un…