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Barack Obama
Chapter I | The Presidency of Barack Obama
Barack Obama’s legacy extends far beyond his time in office.
As the 44th President of the United States, he led with intelligence, composure, and a sense of calm that defined a generation of leadership.
But what made him truly distinct was his ability to connect.
Through his words. His presence. His perspective.
He represented not only policy and progress, but also humanity.
A leader who understood the weight of the role, while never losing sight of the people behind it.
And that is what made this project different from the start.
As the 44th President of the United States, he led with intelligence, composure, and a sense of calm that defined a generation of leadership.
But what made him truly distinct was his ability to connect.
Through his words. His presence. His perspective.
He represented not only policy and progress, but also humanity.
A leader who understood the weight of the role, while never losing sight of the people behind it.
And that is what made this project different from the start.
Chapter II | The Call
The opportunity came unexpectedly.
I was contacted by the office of then-Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
President Obama was coming to town, and they wanted to present him with something meaningful.
Something personal.
Something that would stand apart from anything else he might receive.
There was only one challenge.
Time.
I had two days.
At first, it didn’t seem possible. The level of detail required, the importance of the moment, the expectations behind it.
But then the reality set in.
This was a chance to create an original piece for the President of the United States.
There was no decision to make.
I got to work.
I was contacted by the office of then-Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
President Obama was coming to town, and they wanted to present him with something meaningful.
Something personal.
Something that would stand apart from anything else he might receive.
There was only one challenge.
Time.
I had two days.
At first, it didn’t seem possible. The level of detail required, the importance of the moment, the expectations behind it.
But then the reality set in.
This was a chance to create an original piece for the President of the United States.
There was no decision to make.
I got to work.
Chapter III | Two Days
What followed was a blur.
Two straight days of drawing. Nearly seventeen hours at a time.
Total focus. No margin for error. No time to second guess.
Every line mattered.
The piece itself became a study in intention.
With no direction given, I asked a simple question.
What would mean something to someone who already has everything?
The answer wasn’t power.
It was personal.
The drawing captured a moment between Barack and Michelle Obama as they danced at the inauguration.
But the focus was deliberate.
Barack is seen from behind.
Michelle is the center.
The detail. The presence. The emotion.
It was a tribute not just to a president, but to a relationship.
Two straight days of drawing. Nearly seventeen hours at a time.
Total focus. No margin for error. No time to second guess.
Every line mattered.
The piece itself became a study in intention.
With no direction given, I asked a simple question.
What would mean something to someone who already has everything?
The answer wasn’t power.
It was personal.
The drawing captured a moment between Barack and Michelle Obama as they danced at the inauguration.
But the focus was deliberate.
Barack is seen from behind.
Michelle is the center.
The detail. The presence. The emotion.
It was a tribute not just to a president, but to a relationship.
In process
Chapter IV | The Delivery
As the final details were completed, there was no time to pause.
The drawing was handed off to be framed and prepared for presentation.
Soon after, it was presented to President Obama by Governor Inslee at an official event.
A moment that felt almost impossible just days earlier had now become real.
The artwork was no longer mine.
It became part of something much larger.
Later, I heard his reaction.
He loved it.
The detail. The thought behind it. The focus on Michelle.
Everything.
The drawing was handed off to be framed and prepared for presentation.
Soon after, it was presented to President Obama by Governor Inslee at an official event.
A moment that felt almost impossible just days earlier had now become real.
The artwork was no longer mine.
It became part of something much larger.
Later, I heard his reaction.
He loved it.
The detail. The thought behind it. The focus on Michelle.
Everything.
HISTORY MADE
True Love
Artifact ID: DO.130017
Object Type: Drawing
Artist: Keegan Hall (American)
Medium: paper, pencil (graphite), wood
Dimensions: Overall – 3D H 18 3/4 in x W 28 5/8 in x D 1 5/8 in (47.6 cm x 72.7 cm x 4.1 cm )
Physical Description
Framed pencil drawing depicting a moment from the 2013 Inaugural Ball of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dancing together. The First Lady’s arm is around the President’s shoulder and he is pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Inscriptions and Markings: Inscribed in upper left of obverse: [artist’s signature]
Historical Note
Presented to President Barack Obama by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. According to the artist Keegan Hall, “This pencil art was created for President Barack Hussein Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to thank them for their service on behalf of all Washingtonians. While the legacy that is left in history will be remembered for the sacrifices and deeds accomplished, it is your love and commitment that will be forever remembered by those whose hearts you have touched.”
Custodial History / Provenance
The item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Barack Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.
Additional Details
National Archives Catalog Collection: Barack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog Series: Domestic Gifts (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Press
The print
True Love
$75
This drawing was presented to President Obama by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. The President also immediately recognized the “moment” that I drew, and was blown away by the level of detail. He kept commenting on how real the drawing looked (much of the fine details aren’t visible in photos of the drawing). That’s pretty much the best reaction I could ever hope for!
Attached to the back of the frame is a letter (pic on the upper left) that includes this quote: “Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend is his wife.” – Franz Schubert
Also included is a short biography about me (with my contact info) and, most importantly, a note about the significance of this piece:
“This pencil art was create for President Barack Hussein Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to thank them for their service on behalf of all Washingtonians. While the legacy that is left in history will be remembered for the sacrifices and deeds accomplished, it is your love and commitment that will be forever remembered by those whose hearts you have touched.”
To say that I’m honored to create a piece on behalf of all Washingtonians is understatement. Since returning to art, I’ve done my best to represent our state both in-person and across the “global village” that is social media. It’s truly unbelievable to be recognized on this level, and I’m so grateful.
This original drawing of Barack and Michelle Obama is now part of President Obama’s Presidential Library collection in Chicago.
Size: 9.125″ x 18.25″
Paper: high-quality 130lb Sterling
***Each print is hand-signed by Keegan***
Chapter V | Where It Lives
When a piece is gifted to a president, it takes on a different kind of life.
It is no longer just artwork.
It became part of history as part of his presidential library in Chicago.
And that is what makes this project so special.
Not just the experience. Not just the challenge.
But the idea that something created in two days, under pressure and with purpose, now exists in that world.
A quiet moment, captured in graphite.
And placed in the hands of a president.
So, if you visit the presidential library, be sure to look for the piece created in graphite, and know that every mark was made with the hope of honoring a moment much larger than the drawing itself.
It is no longer just artwork.
It became part of history as part of his presidential library in Chicago.
And that is what makes this project so special.
Not just the experience. Not just the challenge.
But the idea that something created in two days, under pressure and with purpose, now exists in that world.
A quiet moment, captured in graphite.
And placed in the hands of a president.
So, if you visit the presidential library, be sure to look for the piece created in graphite, and know that every mark was made with the hope of honoring a moment much larger than the drawing itself.
