In 1957, Don Graham wrote a short autobiography, which we thought was worth preserving and sharing. During my school years I evidenced an interest in drawing but was convinced that engineering was to be my chosen profession. After graduating in 1921 from Pasadena High School with almost an A average, I attended Stanford University for two years and pursued a pre-engineering course which included the study of perspective and also descriptive geometry. Possibly my success in the study of perspective as well as my failure in descriptive geometry led me to seek more information pertaining to drawing.
In 1923 I enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute and became engrossed in the study of drawing and painting under the direction of F. Tolles Chamberlin. In the second year, because of my knowledge of perspective, I was made instructor of that subject in return for tuition. This made it possible for me to continue my studies until the spring of 1927 when I went to New York. For the next year and a half I studied in the galleries and painted. During the last year I worked as an assistant to William Potter in the execution of minor murals and in the decoration of large screens and furniture. In September 1928, I decided to go to New Orleans for a two-week vacation.
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