Before going into production on his first Obama-inspired print, Fairey, a fan of the senator after seeing him speak in 2004, was careful to seek approval from the campaign. "I didn't want anything I did to be a liability or an unwanted endorsement," said Fairey. "We had the unofficial wink and nod to do an image."

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After the success of the "Progress" print, Fairey says he was contacted by the Obama campaign to create an officially sanctioned poster in the same style -- only this time with a campaign-approved photo and slogan. The new artwork featured the now-famous "Hope" slogan.

"They said 'progress' sounded too Marxist," laughed Fairey, who estimated the profits from his Obama-themed merchandise topped out around $400,000. He says he donated the entire amount to the campaign.

"I have not kept one dime from the Obama [posters]," Fairey said. "I'm at a surplus; I've given the max amount to the campaign. Now we're just buying billboards and postering."

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http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/09/poster-boy-shep.html