Barack Obama On Christmas Present From Wife Michelle: 'The Story Behind It Is Even Better'

Barack Obama loves the Christmas present he received from his wife, Michelle Obama, and has shared the story behind the "incredible" artwork.

On Wednesday, Obama revealed on Instagram that his wife gave him a golf-themed painting created by artist Valentino Dixon, sharing a photo of himself sat on a leather sofa, wearing a T-shirt and a Santa hat, while looking at an image on an iPad.

"For Christmas, Michelle surprised me with this drawing of the 12th hole at Augusta National by the terrific artist, @ValentinoDixon. It’s an incredible piece, but the story behind it is even better," he wrote.

He shared the story of Dixon, who grew up in Buffalo, New York. The Black artist had great skill and passion for drawing since he was a child but was wrongfully convicted for a crime he didn't commit when he was 21. Dixon was sentenced to a minimum of 38.5 years in prison and was behind bars for over 20 years, where he survived by drawing various subjects, including golf courses.

"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 can 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," Obama shared.

"His art and his story gained national attention in 2012 through his family’s tireless advocacy and a couple of profiles in golf publications," he continued. "Then, in 2018, three undergraduate students from Georgetown’s Innocence Project uncovered evidence that proved the innocence Valentino had maintained all along. And after 27 years, he was free."

Obama then revealed that Dixon now travels to share his story and promote the need for criminal justice reform. The former president added that he was thankful Dixon never lost his passion for art.

"And thankfully, for me and for so many others, he continues to draw. I’m so proud to have one of his works to display," Obama concluded.

Dixon also shared a photo of the artwork on his Instagram and said that Michelle purchased it for her husband.

In a previous interview, he shared that it was warden James Conway who inspired him to draw golf courses after he handed him a photograph of the 12th hole at Augusta National.

"I'd been getting bored with drawing animals and people and whatever I'd get out of National Geographic," Dixon told Golf Digest. "After 19 years in Attica (N.Y.) Correctional Facility, the look of a golf hole spoke to me. It seemed peaceful. I imagine playing it would be a lot like fishing."