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This is an original drawing, not a print. SIGNED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA. I did this portrait from a photograph taken by a campaign worker in 2007 when Barack Obama was a candidate for president. The campaign worker was doing his job going door to door. While we were talking he noticed the artwork hanging on my walls. He asked if I was an artist and if I would draw a portrait of Mr. Obama. He mentioned that Mr. Obama was scheduled to speak in the neighboring town of Knoxville Iowa in December. I said I could have it done by then if he could get me a photograph to work from. Luckily he was smart enough to get a photograph that was crisp and clear and free of any copyright issues. The first drawing I did was of Mr. Obama alone and I had to add some details to the lower part of the drawing. I drew the portrait on a 30" tall by 20" wide illustration board. The campaign worker came and picked up the artwork and said he would do his best to make sure Mr. Obama would see my artwork. Since I decided to support Mr. Obama, being from a town of 500 people I was made Precinct Captain. So on December 30th 2007 I was asked to sit on the stage behind Mr. Obama to show support while he gave his speech. Sitting and waiting as the crowd gathered, I noticed the campaign worker motioning for me to come with him. I followed him back stage to a door. He knocked on the door and Mr. Obama opened it up and said come on in. I was somewhat in shock that he was so casual as he looked at the artwork and said "You must be a supporter, you made my ears look smaller." He laughed and asked "What would you like to do with the drawing. I said "I was hoping you could hang it in the white house". This was three days before the Iowa caucus and was also my birthday, I learned that Mr. Obama and I are the same age, only a few months apart. A week later the worker brought back the portrait signed with a note from Mr. Obama.
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