Barack Obama picks Nigerian artist, Kehinde Wiley to paint his official presidential portrait

#mynameiskay

Obama has selected New-York based artist, Kehinde Wiley, to paint his official portrait. 

Following a tradition that started with George H. Bush, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery commissions an artist to create a portrait of the president and the first lady after their tenure. Obama’s predecessors have preferred to sit for 90-year old portrait artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, who has painted eight US presidents, but Obama chose to go with Kehinde. The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery made the announcement yesterday.

Former first lady Michelle Obama chose a fairy-tale painter Amy Sheridan to paint her portrait. Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald will be the first black artists to create an official presidential portrait of Smithsonian. Kehinde Wiley is known for the lush, bigger portraits that cover the black street culture with European classic motifs. It is believed to be an exciting choice for the presidential portrait. During his career, Kehinde became famous for creating a portrait of African-American men including Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Ice T, Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five, Michael Jackson and more.   Kehinde was born to Nigerian father and African American midwife. She did not grow up with her father, so at age 20 she traveled to Nigeria to explore her roots and get to know him. Kehinde's mother supported her interest in art and enrolled in art teaching after her childhood education. He earned BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 and his MFA from Yale University, Art School in 2001.

❤ ❤ 2348050417551 available for a good time ... spill TEA.... Easy on Shade #jaiyeorie