Grayson Bowen was raised in Connecticut and visited the infamous New York museums and galleries frequently throughout his childhood. Creativity was already flowing through his veins during these very early years of life. Art became the center of his studies in high school and this directed him to School of Visual Arts in Manhattan for a BFA in painting and drawing. The thick culture of New York City became a strong inspiration for Grayson and reflected itself in his work in a major way. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Grayson took a huge leap from New York’s urban sprawl to the beautiful, rural smoky mountains of western North Carolina to pursue an MFA with a concentration in painting and drawing at Western Carolina University. This was an extremely transformative experience, in part due to the contrast between Manhattan and the small, mountain town of Cullowhee, North Carolina. This new landscape asserted a very calming effect in his work. During this time, Grayson earned his first experiences teaching at a college level. The culmination of these influences and surroundings has given Grayson Bowen the tools necessary to become a powerful force in the art world.