At Francis C. Hammond High School in Alexandria, Lynch did not excel academically, having little interest in schoolwork, but he was popular with other students, and after leaving he decided that he wanted to study painting at college. He began his studies at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C., before transferring in 1964 to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with roommate musician Peter Wolf. He left after only a year, saying, "I was not inspired AT ALL in that place." He instead decided that he wanted to travel around Europe for three years with his friend Jack Fisk, who was similarly unhappy with his studies at Cooper Union. They had some hopes that they could train in Europe with Austrian expressionist painter Oskar Kokoschka at his school. Upon reaching Salzburg, however, they found that Kokoschka was not available. Disillusioned, they returned to the United States after spending only two weeks in Europe.
at francis c hammond high school in alexandria lynch did not excel academically having little interest in schoolwork but he was popular with other students and after leaving he decided that he wanted to study painting at college he began his studies at the corcoran school of the arts and design in washington dc before transferring in 1964 to the school of the museum of fine arts boston with roommate musician peter wolf he left after only a year saying "i was not inspired at all in that place" he instead decided that he wanted to travel around europe for three years with his friend jack fisk who was similarly unhappy with his studies at cooper union they had some hopes that they could train in europe with austrian expressionist painter oskar kokoschka at his school upon reaching salzburg however they found that kokoschka was not available disillusioned they returned to the united states after spending only two weeks in europe