Tim Lowly was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina in 1958. The son of medical missionaries, he spent most of his youth in South Korea. He received a BFA degree from Calvin College in 1981. Tim, his wife Sherrie and daughter Temma currently reside in Northbrook, Illinois. Since 1994 Tim has been affiliated with North Park University in Chicago as professor, gallery director, and artist-in-residence.