Calvin McIntyre

One might say Calvin McIntyre is a “Jack of All Trades”. Over the years he has worked as a ranch hand, a cook, a maintenance man, a mechanic, a repairman, a metal scrapper, a construction worker, a shrimper, a tree trimmer and a house painter. He also does beautiful landscaping and general yard work and has even worked the games and rides at carnivals. Calvin worked in the oilfield until 2010 when a back injury prevented him from continuing the grueling labor the oilfield requires. He is currently employed by WRS Construction and also does general yard work on the side.

Calvin also enjoys doing tatoos. He admits to being a work-a-holic who loves to work hard and stay busy. He says he’s been blessed by the things he has learned and the skills he has developed from the many experiences of vastly differing jobs. However, Calvin’s main talent is his unique and unusual art work.

Calvin’s drawings are mysterious and fascinating, full of detail and intrigue, almost like puzzles to be solved. One of his drawings may literally contain hundreds of smaller pictures. The more you look, the more you discover. When you think you can’t find any more pictures, turn the drawing sideways or upside down…a whole new set of pictures emerges. Looking at the art up close reveals a different array of pictures than looking from a distance. Each drawing provides an endless source of entertainment.

Calvin says he enjoys listening to someone’s life story while drawing and will incorporate that story into his art. He is amazingly quick, completing an 8 X 10 drawing in as little as 30 minutes. Calvin claims his drawings are never really completed. His imagination always leaves room for more. His art work is truly one of a kind and could not easily be duplicated. Even Calvin admits he could not count all the pictures in one of his drawings. To truly appreciate his extraordinary gift, one would have to personally view his work up close. The hidden pictures are so tiny it would be impossible to spot them in the newspaper.

Calvin would eventually like to open a small shop to display and sell his one-of-a-kind art work. He would also enjoy doing personalized drawings specifically hiding pictures the customer requests. While viewing his work and having him point out several hidden pictures, I found myself almost addicted to the hunt. I finally had to quit looking because my eyes got tired, but I found myself wanting to resume the hunt for more pictures.

Calvin, son of Mary and the late Barney Estes, recently returned to Port O’Connor to be near his mother and to assist her. He tries to be a blessing to others and is always eager to lend a hand to anyone in need. He says God has blessed him, therefore he tries to be a blessing to others.

Calvin began doing pictures inside of pictures while doing tatoos. In all his various jobs and endeavors, his employers and customers say he is a diligent worker and is good at all he does. His true gift, however, is his unique art. One might say Calvin McIntyre is a Jack of All Trades, but he is definitely a master of one.

One of Calvin’s picture-in-a-picture drawings