Dowhie earned his MFA in Education from Arizona State University.  He later taught at ASU, Phoenix College, Chandler High School and was chosen to participate in many visiting artist programs in Arizona.

He was known for his large Southwest landscapes, waterscapes and botanical paintings and prints.  The Scottsdale Center for the Arts hosts a Grand Canyon painting created when he took part in the Recession Artist River Expedition.  Dowhie's Irish heritage prompted his interest in the Irish Cultural Center located in Phoenix, Arizona.