The downside to luxury travel? George Bush shows off his paintings aboard Air Force One
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It may have felt like a rather long journey for passengers aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One yesterday. Whilst on route to Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, George W. Bush took the opportunity to showcase his latest works of art (again).
Official White House photographer Pete Souza captured the former US President on camera as he presented photos of his paintings to former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama on his tablet device.
After spending recent years relatively obscured from public view he has since emerged from his retirement with a paintbrush and palette in hand, telling chat show host Jay Leno in November "I am a painter" before presenting him with a portrait.
Click here to see more paintings by George Bush
Mr Bush was vocal about his new found passion whilst chatting to Mr Leno on The Tonight Show last month and said he told an art teacher he hired to help him hone in his painting skills that “ there’s a Rembrandt trapped in this body. Your job is to find it”.
Mr Bush has also embraced the festive holiday spirit by designing his own Christmas tree ornament, which features a miniature painting of a cardinal on tree branch encased in a metal frame.
"Laura liked the bright red of the cardinal and the greens of the foliage, and chose my painting, for which I am grateful, to become the Christmas card and the ornament," Bush said in a video for the George W. Bush Presidential Centre. The ornament has gone on sale for $29.98.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments