PONTOTOC, Miss. - Artist Billy Wayne Martin has a fan in the White House.
Martin, 59, earned special attention from first lady Laura Bush.
"I thought I was just one of many,'' Martin said. ``Now, it feels like I won the lottery.''
Anyone who doubts him is free to visit www.whitehouse.gov for the proof. You'll find a transcript from the first lady's appearance on "Good Morning America'' last month.
The segment spotlighted "Holidays in the National Park.'' Nearly 400 ornament balls were sent to parks throughout the country. Then, Martin was chosen to decorate four Christmas ornaments to hang on the White House's tree.
The balls are about the size of "a small cantaloupe or a big grapefruit,'' Martin said. One focused on Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site.
"It's Nathan Bedford Forrest with his entourage,'' he said. "They're kind of riding off after the battle with their horses' muscles all bulging.''
The scene captured Bush's imagination, judging by what she told ABC News' Claire Shipman.
"This is one of the most beautifully done of all the ones,'' the first lady said, "and this is Cross Roads National Battlefield so beautifully painted.''
Martin hasn't actually heard her words for himself, but that changed Friday. Photos and videos of his ornaments were on display during the Natchez Trace Parkway's open house. A download of the ABC interview was broadcast throughout the day.
"When I found out what she said about my art, I couldn't believe it,'' Martin said. ``I still can't believe it.'' Martin's a former sign painter who injured his back a few years ago. The Pontotoc County native started painting on saw blades, magnolia leaves and feathers.
"It's difficult to get feathers to take the primer,'' he said. "You have to prime them three or four times, then you can drive a truck over them.''
It's intricate work to paint elephants, ducks or deer on feathers. Hunters have prized his work, and he's overloaded with Christmas orders.
His effort attracted attention from the staff at the Natchez Trace Parkway. He was asked to apply his eye for detail to four ornaments:
- Brices Cross Roads
- Tupelo National Battlefield
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
Martin took a bus trip to Washington, D.C., in November for a reception at the White House.
"Secret Service was just everywhere. Their eyes were darting back and forth,'' he said. "They made us go through metal detectors.''
He worked with Ernie Price, chief of interpretation for the Natchez Trace, to choose the designs.
"Ernie was great,'' Martin said. ``He knew all that history without having to look it up in a book or anything.''
The first lady was at the reception, but he didn't speak with her.
"There was a crowd mobbed around her and they were spilling out of the room,'' he said. "We just started in on the food right away.''
The trip would've ended as a happy memory, then the first lady went on national television to celebrate Martin's work.
Now, happiness doesn't quite describe the feeling, but he's still business-minded: Expect the price of Martin's originals to increase.
"I've been selling them too cheap,'' he said. "Don't you think?''
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