Andres Useche is a multitalented writer, musician, artist, film director, visual performance artist, singer/songwriter, and graphic artist. Born in Manizales Colombia,Andres published his first political cartoon titled “Soy Libre” at the age of eleven. While in High School, Useche won the Colombian Ministry of Culture Individual Creation Prize in Graphic Arts with his graphic novel Vana Espuma ("Idle Mist"). Upon high school graduation Useche composed "Azul de Noche", a quintet performed by members of the Manizales Chamber Orchestra. Its conductor, lead violinist Gillermo Gomez, would go on to perform with Useche on the compositions and live multimedia projects Useche created during his college years.

In the late nineties, Useche also scored several documentaries, wrote, directed, edited, scored and starred in Vana Espuma (1998), a 25-minute film adaptation of his novel. The film had a $100 budget (yes, you read that correctly) and yet went on to win the Best Fiction Film, Best screenplay and Best actress at the South American Cesares awards. He was also nominated for Best Actor and Best Music.

After graduating as a visual designer with emphasis on Film from the Universidad de Caldas, Useche moved to Los Angeles, California, where he has worked as a scriptwriter and is developing a feature film project.

Andres became involved with the Obama campaign after feeling disenfranchised by other politicians for many years who had ignored his concerns or didn’t back up their campaign promises with action. Throughout 2008, Andres has promoted Barack Obama’s campaign with numerous radio, newspaper and TV interviews.

“In Barack Obama I found a leader

who didn't bow down to corporate powers

and who fought for what was right -

no matter who his audience was.

He spoke of cutting gas emissions to automakers

and spoke to the African-American community

of the importance of ending discrimination -

not only against them, but also by some of them;

the discrimination against immigrants,

and gays and lesbians.

This struck a chord with me.

We must fight discrimination of all kinds,

not because it is personally convenient,

but because it is the right thing to do.

Because all of us as a society will be better off

if we truly embrace equality and justice for all.

It is this message that has awakened me,

and so many of our young from our political slumber.

---Andres Useche

Useche wrote "Si, Se Puede Cambiar"" because "it is the plurality, the diversity of this movement which inspired me to write this song. The lyrics were thoughts that have been growing within me, and I'm sure, many others, and as Barack galvanized our intentions, this campaign focused my thoughts into these words that came out in a matter of hours.”

Andres also wrote, performed and co-directed the Spanish language video for "Si, Se Puede Cambiar". Working with his co-directors Eric Byler and Warren Fu from the grassroots group United For Obama, they completed the video and put it on YouTube in February 2008. It quickly went viral. In April 2008, YouTube chose the video to represent Obama in the first ever "Trendsetter Tuesday". The video was featured on the main page of the site along with videos about the other remaining US presidential candidates. "Si, Se Puede Cambiar" has more than 350,000 views and maintains a rating of 4/5 stars, beating the scores for the Clinton and McCain videos. Even Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas was a fan, and put the video on his own website long before Andres and he ever met. The video has since been watched in 193 countries. Versions of the video with subtitles in German, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Arabic have also been released. There is even a multilingual version in eight languages!

With several albums already to his name and currently at work recording an English version of "Si, Se Puede Cambiar", Andres is certainly one very talented artist to keep an eye on.

For more information –

Website: www.virb.com/useche

MySpace: www.myspace.com/andresuseche

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ky8Hvq-F0U

Email: useche.andres@gmail.com

Blog: www.andresuseche.blogspot.com

Skype ID: andres.useche

This is a site for artists to share their Obama-inspired work. We accept all mediums! Send us your films, songs, videos, still photography, visual artistry, essays, short stories, spoken word, and poetry; we will put it out on the site and share it with the members. It is completely free so submit your works or just enjoy what is here.

Send your submission to creations@obamamae.com and we'll share it with everyone. Include a short bio about yourself, a photo if you have one, how your creation came into being, and URLs to your website, MySpace or other profile locations. Standard website restrictions apply - no violence, threats, extreme profanity, yada yada yada - you know the drill.

Let your creative colors fly!

Wishing you Blessings and Grace,
Marla