George W. Bush: Painting is a 'whole new world'

George W. Bush / LM Otero, AP

WASHINGTON -- Get ready, Tony Blair: George W. Bush captured what he believes is your essence on canvas.

The former president walked through an exhibit of his paintings with daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, for a story that aired Friday on NBC's Today Show.

Bush's portraits of such world leaders as Blair, the former British prime minister, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Dalai Lama and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai are on display at his presidential library in Dallas. The exhibit, 'The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy' includes photographs and other memorabilia from Bush's visits with these leaders

The portrait of Blair, in a suit jacket with a blue shirt and red tie, bears a reasonable likeness to the British leader who became a close friend. 'I like it because it conveys a compassionate person and a strong and reliable friend, ' Bush said.

The former president said he wanted his portrait of Putin to reflect what he believed was the Russian leader's world view. 'Vladimir is a person who in many ways views the United States as an enemy,' Bush said. 'I felt he saw the world as either the U.S. benefits and Russia loses or vice versa.'

Bush said he took up painting because he 'wanted to make sure the last chapters of my life are full.' What began as an exercise on a mobile tablet with the help of an app became a full-fledged endeavor, complete with an art teacher.

'I was a little reluctant to put them out,' he said about his paintings. 'I'm not a great artist. I don't want people to think I'm a great artist, but on the other hand, I wanted to refresh the Bush center.'

'I want to get better,' Bush said. 'A whole new world has opened up.'

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