Sure,President Obamas busy trying to solve the nations problems. But Megan McCluer and her husband,Michael Heffner,would like just a minute of his time to settle a mystery: As a young man,did he sit for a portrait painted by an obscure Los Angeles artist? And whats up with the shirt? Obama supporters McCluer and Heffner bought the colourful 32-by-41-inch framed painting last fall to help raise money for the candidates tiny Ojai headquarters,60 miles from Los Angeles. Scrawled on the back is a notation that says: BARACK OBAMA (casual attire). Strokes of teal and burgundy provide a vibrant contrast to Obamas even more colourful striped shirt,evoking a late 70s disco vibe. Indeed,the portrait appears to be the 44th President in his early 20s,casually seated in white slacks and that mod shirt,stylishly open at the collar. Little is known about the artist,Alan Adams,other than he worked in LA for many years and,possibly,briefly in Hawaii. Its believed that Adams died about 10 years ago,leaving behind works that were sold off by relatives. How and when he might have met Obama remains frustratingly unknown for the oil paintings new owners. Obama aides said they were not able to run down the story of the portrait and added it was not likely Obama would have time to address it. What McCluer and Heffner do know is that the portrait was given to the Ojai campaign office last fall. The woman who donated the painting declined to talk about how she acquired it,other than to confirm that it was given to her by an LA collector who wanted to remain anonymous.
