In honor of the Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama, I created this Shepard Fairey-esque image of Darby. You can make one of your dog, cat, child or self at Paste Magazine's Obamiconme.com. It's very fun and super easy!
For more a round up of the hippest Obama memorabilia, check out If It's Hip It's Here.
Original photo by Grace Chon of Shine Pet Photos.
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.
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
This one would look great on Michelle:
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.
As most of you know, I’m a big believer in speaking up for all who
suffer injustice, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or in
this case, species! And I’m all for adopting from the shelter. My
wife and I share our home with 2 pooches, George and Weezie, who is a
rescue. They are the happy canine siblings to our 2 human daughters.
The image I created for this print reminds me of a dog I had as kid, a mutt named Honey.
The
exciting news for art collectors and animal lovers is that 400 signed,
limited edition prints will be available for sale some time this
January and all proceeds go to Adopt-A-Pet.com. You can sign up for
news alerts at Muttslikeme.com. These prints are highly collectible and will go in a matter of minutes.
But
if you don't get one, the website also has free badges, banners,
posters, and wallpaper you can download and add to your own sites to
raise awareness and show support. There is even a black + white
version for kids in class to color in and discuss. Click here to see all the free artwork available.
Thank
you, Shepard Fairey, for continuing to use your talent for good. Your
work shows us that giving means more than writing a check. An image,
an hour of time, or simply speaking out against injustice can change
the world.
"Sasha and Malia … I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House." — President-elect Barack Obama, November 4, 2008.
Change has come to America. I am so proud. Congratulations to the Obama family. We can't wait to meet the first dog.
(Photo credit: Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
7:01 am update:
Thanks to my cousin, Clair, for letting me know that the Bidens are also getting a dog. As reported by Reuters:
Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden,
is also getting in on the act. He told reporters traveling with him
earlier that his wife had promised him a “big dog” if he got elected.
Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the
seat in front of him on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as
he criss-crossed the country in the final sprint to election day.
“Jill had said the only way you are getting a dog is if you are
president … we didn’t think about vice president,” said Biden. “She
said at least if you live in the White House you are home.”
He dropped out of the presidential race but when Obama asked him to
join the ticket, his wife Jill said if he did so she would let him have
the dog he wanted.
Read Clair's beautiful post about last night here.
7:16 am update: The Obamas join a long tradition of first families with dogs. Here is an excellent website dedicated to American Presidents and their dogs. Did you know George Washington had 10 hounds; Mopsey,
Taster, Cloe, Tipler, Forester, Captain, Lady Rover, Vulcan, Sweetlips and
Searcher. (Sweetlips! Hilarious!)
Related Links:
Dachshund for Obama t-shirts and gifts
More Obama/dog t-shirts
Happiness is a Warm Puppy
by Charles M. Shulz
My January 1, 2008 prediction that Barack Obama would be our next president.
One more day! Darby, my Longhaired Dachshund, hopes for change. He hopes the polls are right and Barack Obama will be our next president. His mom hopes her hopes won't be dashed like the last two elections. Go vote! Go Obama!
Order a Darby Hope print from my Etsy shop. Or t-shirts, mugs, note cards, and journals from CafePress. Email me to create a hope poster for your dog.
Dachshund for Obama women's t-shirt
Dachshund for Obama men's t-shirt
Dachshund for Obama baby onesie
Dachshund for Obama mug
See more art for Obama at ArtofObama.com
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Barack Obama picked the charming mutt from the wrong side of the tracks to be his running mate. As I said in December when I first called Biden Tramp….like spaghetti goes with meatballs, this could be just the ticket!
It's feeling like a Hollywood ending. Walt Disney would be proud.
See my full list of the presidential candidates and the dogs they represent here.
South Carolina Primary Resusts:
Barack Obama: 55%
Hillary Clinton: 27%
John Edwards: 18%
What a night!
Read Caroline Kennedy’s eloquent and moving endorsement of Senator Obama, “A President Like My Father,” in today’s New York Times.
Excerpt:
“I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.
I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.”
Barack is Super T-shirts, including men, women, and children’s sizes, designed by my sister Sheila Cameron, available at her online store.
