Some people in California need answers! Did they actually buy a rare painting of Barack Obama from before he was famous? Or just an ugly painting of a random black guy in a garish shirt?

Two Obama supporters bought this painting a year ago. Who is that guy?

Scrawled on the back is a notation that says: "BARACK OBAMA (casual attire)." Strokes of teal and burgundy provide a vibrant contrast to Obama's even more colorful striped shirt, evoking a late '70s disco vibe. Indeed, the portrait appears to be the 44th president in his early 20s, casually seated in white slacks and that mod shirt, stylishly open at the collar. Little is known about the artist, Alan Adams, other than that he worked in Los Angeles for many years and, possibly, briefly in Hawaii.

But nobody can find out anything about the artist and Barack himself is just too busy to answer any questions, and the lady who donated the painting isn't saying where she got it, so it's all a BIG MYSTERY.

Points in favor of it being real: the notation on the back; the physical resemblance to Obama; and the fact that Obama reportedly lived in Cali and maybe Hawaii at the same time as the painter.

Points against it being real: What is that shirt, there?

Mystery! [LAT]