Gunner got the opportunity to attend the ‘Technical School of Art’, where he studied with Erik Clemmensen. However, it quickly became apparent to him that the more technical aspect of art such as advertising and technical drawings did not appeal to him, and he found the school restrictive, so he left.
He took work on a freight boat which sailed between America and Japan. It was while sailing these large seas, experiencing the expansive light and horizons. In this his interest in catching broad spectra of light tones, which can be found in one colour started. He wanted to let the paint surface and light reveal the subject rather than figurative or idea led painting.
After his trip he settled in Copenhagen, where he got married to Jette and had his first child. Here he participated in the contemporary art scene and continued to develop his artist style and establish himself as an artist.
It was years with a lot of questioning and exploring different styles and his own artist name but also a strong with a strong development in his style.