george w. bush exhibits 30 painted portraits of world leaders

george w. bush exhibits 30 painted portraits of world leaders
(above) vladimir putin, president of russia 2000-2008 and 2012-present, prime minister 1999-2000 and 2008-2012
painting by president george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center

the art of leadership: a president’s personal diplomacy
george w. bush presidential center, texas
now through june 3rd, 2014

throughout his eight-year term as president of the unites states, george w. bush has forged personal relationships with the world’s foremost international leaders. since completing his presidency, he has established a new found interest in the arts and has taken the opportunity to paint on daily basis. from now until june 3rd, 2014, thirty never-before-exhibited portraits painted by president bush are featured in texas for ‘the art of leadership: a president’s personal diplomacy’, each accompanied by artifacts, photographs, and personal reflections to help illustrate the stories of relationships formed on the world stage. ‘I place a high priority on personal diplomacy. getting to know a fellow world leader’s personality, character, and concerns made it easier to find common ground and deal with contentious issues. that was a lesson i had picked up from dad, who was one of the great practitioners of personal diplomacy.‘ describes bush.

the art of leadership: a president’s personal diplomacy
video courtesy of thebushcenter

tony blair, prime minister of great britain 1997-2007
painting by george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center

george w. bush, president of the united states 2001-2009
painting by president george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center

george h.w. bush, president of the united states 1989-1993
painting by president george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center

hamid karzai, president of afghanistan 2004-present
painting by president george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center

ellen johnson sirleaf, president of liberia 2006-present
painting by president george w. bush
photo by grant miller / courtesy of the george w. bush presidential center