I may be cutting back on the evening news, but I do watch enough TV and spend enough time on the Internet to know that Obama fever hasn't died down at all. People are still finding creative ways to commemorate the historic election. Just yesterday I saw a segment regarding the new Sasha and Malia dolls that Ty Inc. has added to its Ty Girlz doll collection. I actually laughed out loud when the reporter who was narrating the segment said that the Ty spokesperson, when asked why he didn't obtain the Obamas' permission to use their daughters' likeness on the dolls, stated that he didn't have to because any resemblance to Sasha and Malia Obama was purely coincidental. Yeah, right.Of course, you can't watch TV for more than 30 minutes without seeing a commercial for presidential memorabilia like coins and plates. The pieces seem nice, but what if you're not a coin collector or your fumble fingers keep you from owning a commemorative plate? Is the only way you can own a piece of history is to buy a "Yes We Can" t-shirt or a "I Bark for Obama" bandanna online?
As it turns out, it's not. You still have one more option--a Barack Obama portrait. BarackObamaOilPainting.com is now offering hand-painted oil paintings of President Obama, based on the official presidential portrait taken by Pete Souza. The paintings come in eight different sizes, and prices vary according to those sizes. For instance, the smallest portrait, which measure 18" by 25", costs just $179, while the largest portrait, which measures 50" by 68", costs $699.
Because the portraits are hand-painted, as opposed to computer generated, they take about five weeks to complete. The company will email you a picture of the portrait upon completion. If you don't like it, the company will retouch the portrait or refund your money. The above photo is an example of one of the finished portraits.
I minored in art in college and had to take an oil painting class as part of the minor's requirements. As such, I can attest to how hard it is to get that kind of detail in a painting. I'm not so sure I could do it. However, based on my current budget, I might have to try. The portrait would never see the light of day, let alone the Internet, but it might be the only way I can own a bit of history. Then again, doggy bandannas can't cost that much. Seeing as I haven't painted anything other than a wall in the last 14 years, they might be a safer bet. Besides, my dogs do love their bandannas.
I minored in art in college and had to take an oil painting class as part of the minor's requirements. As such, I can attest to how hard it is to get that kind of detail in a painting. I'm not so sure I could do it. However, based on my current budget, I might have to try. The portrait would never see the light of day, let alone the Internet, but it might be the only way I can own a bit of history. Then again, doggy bandannas can't cost that much. Seeing as I haven't painted anything other than a wall in the last 14 years, they might be a safer bet. Besides, my dogs do love their bandannas.
