Kehinde Wiley is a well-known and influential American artist. His paintings and sculptures are the subject of art shows around the United States. The 46-year-old Wiley seems especially busy right now. His work is currently on display at shows on both the East and West coasts of the U.S. He has another show in Paris, France. And he is expanding artistic bases in Africa. Wiley shot to fame outside of the art world a few years ago, after he painted an official presidential portrait. It was historic. Wiley was the first Black artist to be commissioned for the work. He painted America’s first Black president, Barack Obama. In Wiley’s painting, Obama sits in a simple chair, his arms crossed, his body leaned a bit forward. Surrounding him is a colorful explosion of natural elements, like flowers and greenery. It was a powerful and untraditional representation for an historic presidency. Wiley said he is very proud of that work, noting the importance of that time in history. “I wonder if I will ever be able to do anything that lives up to the gravity of that moment,” he said. “Everybody wants to be seen in a number of different contexts ... but I mean, what a great project to be involved in.”