It is with great joy, respect, admiration and pride that I painted this
portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama.
I painted it to honor the historic inauguration of the 44th President
of the United States.
I painted it because I wanted to. My initial plan was to give it to
the Obamas as a gift. That was of course before I found out that Presidents
do not accept gifts. Who knew never having painted a political portrait
before?
And I have been told that I should not put congratulations regarding
political figures on my website. So I want to make it very clear that
this painting reflects my views. In no way do I speak for any other
artist whose work appears in this gallery.
Now that I have made that clear, my most heartfelt congratulations to
you President Obama.
Those of us who believe in you know that the road ahead is long. At
my age you have learned that the only way to get to the end of the road
is one step at a time. We walk with you.
Greg Hildebrandt
