ABC Touts 'Amazing' Obama Crayon Sculpture

Proving that no Barack Obama imagery is too embarrassing, the hosts of "Good Morning America" on Thursday highlighted a sculpture of the President-elect made entirely out of crayons. After mentioning artist Herb Williams, news anchor Chris Cuomo enthused, "He does something amazing. He created a statue of Obama out of all crayons."

The GMA crew then proceeded to talk about all the details of how one makes crayon statues of Obama. As pictures and video appeared onscreen, Cuomo explained, "He took the crayons. And glues them in there. Look, there's his process. This is what he does."

The news anchor began the segment by explaining, "A little bit of an event here. Do you remember this? The original red and blue hope collage?" This allowed for Cuomo to show the famous Obama "Hope" painting.

A transcript of the brief segment, which aired at 7:50am on January 8, follows:

CHRIS CUOMO: Around the water cooler this morning, A little bit of an event here. Do you remember this? The original red and blue hope collage? [Obama "Hope" poster appears onscreen.]

DIANE SAWYER: Oh, right. Right.

CUOMO: Graphic designer. Shepherd Ferry. It inspired so many t-shirts. Everything now. They have coin collections with it. Well, it's going to be hanging in the National Portrait Gallery, just in time for the inauguration as a gift from some Washington super-lobbyists. It will be hanging right near another unveiled one of Laura Bush, her portrait is going to be out there.

ROBIN ROBERTS: Right. Right.

CUOMO: But there is somebody else who got brought in for the inauguration. A Mr. Herb Williams. He does something amazing. He created a statue of Obama out of all crayons. You know, when you talk about crayons isn't kids play? These are crayons. Took him four months. 50,000 crayons. He glues them onto whatever the standard's going to be, an easel or whatever the paper is going to be. The portrait really sold to a Nashville collector for $25,000.

SAWYER: Let me understand this. He just peels off the little paper, the way he used to do, you used chew down. Right? And you take the paper off and you glue the actual crayon?

CUOMO: You're not supposed to chew them, by the way. He took the crayons. And glues them in there. [B-roll of sculptor appears onscreen.] Look, there's his process. This is what he does.

ROBERTS: He slices by hand or with a cigar cutter.

SAWYER: Oh, I see.

ROBERTS: You know how much it weighs? 150 pounds. 150 pounds. Who knew it weighed that much?

CUOMO: That's a heavy work of art right there.