02/22/08

Drawing has not only been a part of his life ever since he was a child, but his talents and passion for the art of drawing have proven to be important to junior Dan Kalkman.

Having taken a number of art classes over the years, Kalkman said he has been drawing for as long as he can remember.

“My dad taught a couple art courses at my school, Gardner Edgerton High School, and I always made sure to take all of the classes he offered,” Kalkman said. “He always made it a little more difficult for me and held higher standards because he knew what I was capable of.”

Besides drawing for school, in his spare time local art shows and competitions always caught his attention.

“I have done a couple shows at city hall in Gardner and won the grand prizes,” he said. “I’ve also sold a couple works on eBay, which I never thought I could do.”

Double majoring in studio art and biology, Kalkman said he still finds time to draw.

“My favorite type of drawing is anything with charcoal, and I prefer to draw anything that deals with wildlife or landscapes,” he said. “I have also recently designed some tattoos for some of my friends and couldn’t have been more honored.”

Senior Clayton Kellerman said he had no hesitation of who to ask for a design of a tattoo.

“I asked Dan to design my tattoo for me because it deals with our Kappa Sigma fraternity stuff, and I knew I could rely on him to come up with something that has both significance and meaning to it,” he said. “I know his capabilities, and he not only had good influences growing up, but he has the same values as me, so I knew I didn’t want anyone else to come up with a design for my tattoo.”

Freshman Jackson Fahrnow said he has seen a number of Kalkman’s drawings hanging up inside his door at the fraternity, and they have always stood out to him.

“He showed me a drawing earlier in the semester that he did, and ever since that I have always been interested in what all he can do,” he said. “There are three drawings in his room – a wildcat, a pirate and an eagle’s head, all made out of charcoal. They are all so good. It’s hard not to stop and look.”

Even though his talents in drawing are what a lot of people wish they could have, Kalkman said he does not think art will be a huge part of his life after graduation.

“I will probably go into the medical field and art will just be my relief from work,” he said. “I love to draw and don’t think I will ever stop, but it’s just more of a hobby than a profession.”