National Portrait Gallery Unveils Obama Portraits

2-13-18-ERNIE ALLEN’S-TOP STORY-

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled portraits of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, both painted by African-American artists who were personally chosen by the Obamas.

The portraits were unveiled to the public Monday at the gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian group of museums. The gallery has a complete collection of presidential portraits. A second and different set of portraits of the former first couple will eventually hang in the White House.

Former first lady Michelle Obama and Artist Amy Sherald.

Barack Obama’s portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley — an artist best known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings of African-Americans. For Michelle Obama’s portrait, the gallery commissioned Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, first-prize winner of the Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

The portraits will be officially installed and available for public viewing starting on Feb. 13.

Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press

Blogs

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

Snoop Dogg, the West Coast rap icon turned cultural mainstay, is officially bringing his life story to the big screen. Read more about Snoop’s upcoming biopic, film and TV deal with Universal inside. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Doggfather has signed a multi-year first-look deal with NBCUniversal through his Death Row Pictures banner, solidifying a…

SNOOP AND NBC

SNOOP AND NBC

NBC is going from being the Peacock network to the Canine network after inking a new deal with Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s Death Row Pictures has inked a multi-year creative partnership with NBC Universal. Part of the deal will bring him back to The Voice next season, and he’ll continue his cross-platform appearances, like he did…

SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Shannon Sharpe is being accused of sexual assault and battery. A civil lawsuit filed in Nevada by Jane Doe says she and Sharpe were in a “rocky consensual relationship” for almost two years. The woman claims that Sharpe recorded their sexual relations without her permission. Jane Doe said the infamous live stream where Sharpe allegedly…

SZA HAS A NEW MAKE UP LINE

SZA HAS A NEW MAKE UP LINE

SZA‘s new business venture is Not Beauty — literally. She just launched a new cosmetic line under the label. Fans at Grand National Tour stops this weekend were the first to get their hands on products from the new line. The initial offering includes a trio of lip glosses, called In the Flesh, Strawberry Jelly and Quartz,…