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Former President Barack Obama is currently taking part in the campaigns for the Georgia Senate runoffs, but he has also celebrated the holidays. Obama took to Instagram to share one particular Christmas gift given to him by former first lady Michelle Obama.
The former president shared that his wife gave him a drawing of the 12th Hole at Augusta National by artist Valentino Dixon on Instagram. Obama revealed the story behind the artwork, sharing that Dixon was “wrongfully convicted” for 38 and a half years for a crime he did not commit. Dixon was 21 years old when he was sentenced. Dixon was freed after 27 years in prison, thanks to three undergraduate students from Georgetown’s Innocence Project back in 2018 who found proof of Dixon’s innocence. Dixon shared the framed artwork on his Instagram as well.
“For Christmas, Michelle surprised me with this drawing at the 12th Hole at the Augusta National by the terrific artist @ValentinoDixon. It’s an incredible piece, but the story behind it is even better,” wrote Obama in the caption. “For more than two decades behind bars, he maintained his innocence. Eventually, he renewed his passion for art, thanks to the advice of his uncle, who told him, “If you reclaim your talent, you reclaim your life.” Despite never visiting a golf course, he went on to use photos from magazines to draw golf courses like the one in this photo.”
The Obamas spent Christmas in Hawaii, where they were seen kayaking in the ocean and also sent their well-wishes to their followers on social media.
The former president’s memoir “A Promised Land,” is the number one bestselling book in USATODAY. The first volume of Obama’s memoir, recalling his eight-year tenure as president, was published on November 17 and reached more than one million in sales in its first week on the shelves and counting. Obama follows the success of his wife and former first lady’s memoir “Becoming,” which also topped the bestseller list in 2018 and in 2019. Both books are still selling well today, with Michelle’s book reaching number 18 on the list for 2020.
