Lena Rivera
Former US President George W. Bush's newfound passion for painting was sparked by Winston Churchill's essay Painting as a Pastime, which he read after leaving office. Bush has worked with several art instructors, including Gail Norfleet, Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood. Norfleet, who first introduced Bush to painting, taught him the basics of oil painting and explored art history with him. Bush's paintings include self-portraits, portraits of veterans, and landscapes. His works have been exhibited and have received recognition within the art community. Bush's art has become a way for him to honour those who served in the military and to express his joy of living and learning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for taking up painting | To push boundaries and seek new avenues for learning |
| Inspiration | Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime" |
| First art teacher | Gail Norfleet |
| Other art teachers | Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, Bonnie Flood |
| Paintings | Self-portraits, canine portraits, a church scene, portraits of veterans, Portraits of Courage, Out of Many, One |
| Painting style | Oil painting |
| Painting subjects | People, landscapes, wildflowers, gardenias |
| Painting as a learning experience | Every brushstroke is a learning experience |
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What You'll Learn
George W. Bush's art teacher was Gail Norfleet
Former US President George W. Bush's art teacher was Gail Norfleet, a fine artist based in Dallas, Texas. Norfleet received an unexpected phone call in 2012 from a friend that marked the beginning of her two-year stint as Bush's art instructor.
Norfleet started Bush off as a beginner, teaching him the basics of oil painting, such as exploring brushes and colours, as well as transitions from light to shadow, and eventually painting still lifes. Bush's initial interest in painting was sparked by reading Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime", in which Churchill described art as a "companion". Bush's passion for painting grew, and he would paint for hours, completing a series of more than 24 world leaders, from his father, George H.W. Bush, to the Dalai Lama.
Under Norfleet's guidance, Bush developed his artistic style and technique. She advised him to paint the things around him that he found interesting and encouraged him to explore art history, recommending an online course through the Museum of Modern Art. Bush's early works included self-portraits in the bathtub and shower, as well as canine portraits and a bucolic church scene.
In addition to Norfleet, Bush worked with several other notable art instructors, including Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood. Bush's dedication to his new hobby impressed his teachers, and he was praised for his passion, openness to guidance, and constant improvement. Bush's artwork has since been displayed in galleries and museums, including the Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas.
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He was inspired by Winston Churchill's essay Painting as a Pastime
Former US President George W. Bush's interest in painting was sparked by Winston Churchill's essay, "Painting as a Pastime". In the essay, Churchill writes about the joys and benefits of painting, encouraging readers to take up the activity regardless of age or talent. Bush, who had previously taken up golf and mountain biking after leaving office, was inspired by Churchill's words and decided to give painting a try.
In an exhibition wall text, Bush stated that he was ""antsy" after his presidency, and that painting opened up "whole new vistas" for him, offering a new way of thinking and studying. He began his artistic journey as a beginner under the guidance of Gail Norfleet, a fine artist and mutual friend. Bush's dedication and willingness to try new things impressed Norfleet, who eventually transitioned him to another instructor, Jim Woodson.
Bush's passion for painting soon became a way to honour those who served under him as Commander-in-Chief. He painted 66 portraits of men and women who served after September 11, including wounded veterans who participated in his initiatives for wounded servicemen. Bush's art instructors revealed that he would paint for hours and hours each day, fully immersing himself in his new pastime.
Bush's collection, "Portraits of Courage", which included a four-panel mural of veterans, was displayed at the Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. The exhibition space was designed to underscore the politicized nature of the artwork, with olive-drab walls and dramatic lighting. Bush's art has stirred up press, with many within the art community acknowledging his unique style and improvement over the years.
Bush's interest in painting was not only influenced by Churchill's essay but also by the landscapes that Churchill painted later in life. Bush's art teacher, Sedrick Huckaby, guided him as he moulded his own artistic works, and their unlikely friendship developed over their shared interest in art.
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He has painted portraits of veterans
Former US President George W. Bush took up painting as a hobby after leaving office. He was inspired by Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime", in which the late UK Prime Minister called art a great "companion". Bush was taught by several art instructors, including Gail Norfleet, Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood. Norfleet, who first introduced Bush to painting, noted that he "needed a new challenge" after taking up golf and mountain biking.
Bush's initial paintings, including self-portraits in the bathtub and shower, were leaked in 2013, attracting media attention and curiosity about the former president's new hobby. Bush continued to develop his artistic skills and, in 2017, published his first art book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors." The book features 66 full-color portraits and a four-panel mural of US military veterans who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Bush wrote the descriptive prose accompanying each painting, sharing the stories of these veterans and honouring their sacrifice and courage.
Among the veterans portrayed in "Portraits of Courage" are Sergeant First Class Ramon Padilla, Sergeant Daniel Casara, Sergeant Leslie Zimmerman, and Lieutenant Colonel Kent Graham Solheim. Bush embarked on a tour to promote the book and display his veteran portraits, which were exhibited at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in 2017. The author's profits from the book are donated to the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Veteran and Military Families work, supporting initiatives that empower veterans transitioning into civilian life.
Bush's artwork has sparked mixed reactions within the art community and the public. Some have acknowledged his improvement and dedication to the craft, while others have criticised the absence of acknowledgment regarding the impact of the wars on the lives of millions of people. Despite the controversy, Bush's paintings and the subsequent book have provided a unique perspective on his post-presidential life and his efforts to honour those who served under his command.
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Bush has worked with multiple art teachers
Former US President George W. Bush has worked with multiple art teachers. In 2012, Bush began taking lessons from Dallas-based artist Gail Norfleet, who recalled that Bush "was looking for a new project". Norfleet, who was Bush's first painting instructor, taught him the basics of oil painting, such as how to use brushes and work with colours. She also encouraged him to paint the things around him that he found interesting.
Norfleet introduced Bush to art history, encouraging him to take an online course through the Museum of Modern Art exploring the development of painting from the 1800s to 1945. Bush also drew inspiration from the landscapes painted by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who called art a great "companion". Bush said that discovering painting "opened up whole new vistas for me — a whole new way of thinking, a whole new study pattern".
Bush has also studied under artists Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood. Huckaby, a renowned oil painter, described Bush as his "most famous student" and noted his "seriousness with art and how he really wanted to learn". Bush's collection of veteran portraits, 'Portraits of Courage', was painted at Huckaby's suggestion. Bush's other art teachers have included Woodson, who painted one of the works that hang in the Bush home, and Flood, who taught Bush at his Dallas home.
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He started painting in 2012
George W. Bush took up painting in 2012, inspired by Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime". Bush said of his new hobby:
> I'm a good example of pushing boundaries and seeking new avenues for learning and I never thought I'd be an artist. The painting came along and it's opened up whole new vistas for me -- a whole new way of thinking, a whole new study pattern.
Bush began as a novice under the direction of Gail Norfleet, a fine artist based in Dallas who shared a mutual friend with the former president. Norfleet recalls that Bush "was looking for a new project". She started him off with exercises to explore oil paint and brushes, before moving on to work with colours, transitions from light to shadow, and, finally, to painting still lifes. Bush's other art teachers include Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood.
Bush's initial forays into painting were revealed in 2013 when his emails were hacked. His early works included self-portraits in the bathtub and shower, as well as several canine portraits and a bucolic church scene. Bush's work has developed over the years, and he has since painted portraits of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In 2017, Bush released a collection of these portraits, titled Portraits of Courage, which became a New York Times bestseller.
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Frequently asked questions
Bush was taught by Gail Norfleet, a Dallas-based artist. He has also worked with artists Jim Woodson, Sedrick Huckaby, Roger Winter, and Bonnie Flood.
Bush was inspired by Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime", in which he called painting a great "companion". Bush said he wanted to "push boundaries and seek new avenues for learning".
Bush took up painting in 2012, after leaving office.
Bush has painted portraits of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He has also painted self-portraits, including one in a bathtub. Bush also enjoys painting landscapes, inspired by the colours in nature.
Bush's art teacher, Gail Norfleet, said that he was "very prolific right from the beginning". Sedrick Huckaby, another of Bush's teachers, said that Bush has "gotten more and more skillful" and that he "keeps getting better".
