Porties for Obama Art

It's been an exciting week to be a dog artist and blogger.  On Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama announced he had narrowed his choice for First Dog down to two breeds, the Labradoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog.   Actually, he said "Hound" which is sweet because it shows how much he is NOT a dog person yet, and we will all get to watch his transition.  With this announcement, the dog world went crazy.  And I went a little nuts too, because I at that very moment I was working on a commissioned collage of a Portie named Willy.

Willy, founder of Porties for Obama.  Photo by Lee Anderson.

I first met Willy and his mom, Buffy Nicolas of Virginia, via email back in August.  Buffy was very excited about Barack Obama's campaign.  She liked his politics, but even more, she liked the idea that he had promised his girls a dog when the campaign was over.   She was determined to get him elected and see a Portuguese Water Dog in the White House. 

I thought it was a long shot.  A Portie was not even on AKC's  short list of recommended breeds.  And, to be totally honest, I had never heard of a PWD.  But, I loved the adorable photo Lee Anderson had taken of Willy, and I thought if I can help the Porties for Obama folks elect Barack Obama as our next president by posting Willy on my blog I am happy to do it.

Cut to, this Fall when Buffy commissioned me to do an Obama collage of Willy.  She graciously gave me time to work on it after the holiday rush.  She asked if she could have it by the Inauguration.  Perfect, I thought.  That will give me a nice image to put on my blogs that day (I write The Obama Dog Blog too).  Little did I know that I would be swept up into the Portie presidential frenzy.   With apologies to the Labradoodles for Obama people, I now feel like an honorary member of Team Portie.  And, after spending so much time working with darling Willy and his passionate mom, I can't help rooting for them.  Go Porties!

Here are some Portie for Obama products from my store:

Porties for Obama Greeting Cards

Porties for Obama Journal

Porties for Obama Tote

Porties for Obama Women's T-shirt

If the Obamas do choose a Portie, I think this shirt would be perfect for the President:

Property of my Portie Men's T-shirt

This one would look great on Michelle:

Portie Mom Women's Long Sleeve T-shirt

Something for the girls is in the works, actually, another Willy collage.  Thank you, Buffy.

To see all the Porties for Obama items in my store click here.  Labradoodle fans, feel free to contact me to commission art for your dogs.  Yes, I can be bought.