Obama Wins...McCain Wins..Obama wins..

I wonder what I will be illustrating in 2009?  In 2008 I did many portraits and illustrations of the primary players in this historic election.  As we come down to the final weeks, magazines seem to be offering their readers a glimpse at the possible impact of a McCain or an Obama administration( see Zina's post today).  The first of these side by side offerings just came out.  ABA Journal called and had a dual cover job.  On one side the swearing in of Obama and the other the swearing in of McCain.  As I was doing this I was watching debates and the close polls and the unknown nature of the future campaign  made me super nervous. 
The comp they sent was a digital comp that was helpful but so much had to be worked out.  As I dove in I had to think like a movie director.  What would Obama wear, what would his wife wear...OH NO, wait, they're outside.  I had to find a coat. 
Justice Roberts would swear them in but then there is the background.  I had to mess up the background so people were not too recognizable.  The funny thing was that the reference had some harsh light in their eyes so they all looked miserable.  I wanted a focused scene on the foreground so I merely darkened everything and muted the colors in the background.  I had at an early stage in the process suggested that I paint one cover and 'paper-doll' the second pair over the other cover but they thought they would rather have 2 covers.  2 paydays for me so I did not resist.  However, painting 2 presidential seals was torture.

In the end I like both covers.  I would prefer to see the Obama cover come to life and the McCain cover go into my file of paintings I call, the alternative reality show.
Someday I would like to show the killed jobs I did that were pulled because the story changed.  Images would include OJ guilty, Bin Laden killed, Colin Powell runs for president and the newly minted, McCain is sworn in.

The article for ABA Journal is below.

ABA Journal