Campaigning for (Our) Obama

So the Neo-Futurists have a Hall of Presidents in their theatre. Each U.S. President has been represented by a portrait—43 portraits, 43 artists. Now that we're a couple years into Obama's administration, they've decided to add a 44th portrait.

They invited artists to submit their interpretations. Jen and I collaborated on one that reflects our impressions of Obama—not so much who he is, but how the country sees him and uses him.

It's called “Magnetic Personality,” and it was chosen as one of six finalists out of over 35 submissions.

This is where you come in.

The winner will be chosen by voting. To vote, you have to go see “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” and cast your ballot for us. It's a great show, very creative, lots of shouting and humor and pathos and truthing. All the submissions, including the six finalists, are on display in the theatre. You’ll recognize ours by my drawing style and Jen’s brilliance.

I won’t show you the whole thing here—I want you to go and see it (and vote for it). But here’s a taste:(This drawing represents part 6 of a 500-part process to create the portrait. The final product is evolved from this. Jen was up until 5 a.m. working on it.)

I want to be clear: I don’t want you to vote for it because you think it’s the best entry. I want you to vote for it because you know us, and I am asking you to. In the interest of the Neo-Futurists’ policy of “no pretense,” I am being honest here: I am stumping for votes.

Want me to make you dinner or something? I will make you dinner.

The winner will be revealed live at a celebration on 10/28. Wouldn’t it be great to attend the party, see the results of your labor when “Magnetic Personality” is unveiled, and give me a thumbs-up and a wink from across the room? I’m getting chills.

To sum up: See TMLMTBGB. Vote for “Magnetic Personality.” Give me a thumbs-up. Eat the food I make for you. That’s it!

(NOTE: There are a lot of great entries. And not just the finalists—there are great ones that did not get selected, and they are on display too, and you can even vote for them as write-ins. So yeah, vote for the one you think is best. But please think ours is best.)

Thanks!