Sean "Diddy" Combs Digs Presidential Art

By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers

He's a rapper, music producer, clothing designer, and actor, but Sean "Diddy" Combs may also now be a presidential art collector. We hear that Diddy's assistant stopped in at P&C Art in Georgetown during inauguration week to get his boss a neat gift—presidential art. We're not sure which he picked out for the Hip-Hop star but the full collection of limited edition prints by artist Andy Thomas includes three pieces: one with Barack Obama at a podium before some famous faces. And also two that have former Democratic presidents and Republican presidents playing lively games of poker. Think those iconic dogs-playing-poker paintings and then swap out canines for presidents. "He started thinking about the truly tremendous job one takes on when president," says gallery director Deneice Mazziotta of Thomas. "He thought of them in a playful relaxing moment and you can almost hear the chatter—what in the world would they be talking about?—and that is a big part of the spirit he was trying to capture," she tells Whispers. Over inauguration week the prints were a hit. "I did not expect that people from around the world would add them to their collections, and they are," she says, adding thatlawmakers have purchased the art as well.

Follow Paul and Nikki on Twitter.

Check out more of the new Washington Whispers.