Former U.S. President George W. Bush has unveiled his portrait of world leaders. It was his wife Laura who encouraged him to start unleashing his inner artistic abilities. When Bush left the White House, he decided to pick up a paintbrush and started to focus his attention in painting the images of world leaders. In his collection, leaders from across the world were painted. This includes Tony Blair, Vladimir Putin, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai and even the Dalai Lama. The painting reflecting Putin was very striking but according to Bush, his favorite is that of his father.

These oil paintings were said to be much improved compared to his previously released paintings. Other than the motivation of his wife, Bush also said that he was inspired by Winston Churchill, who had also started painting when he was already 40. "I wanted to make sure that the last chapters of my life were full. Painting would occupy not only space but open my mind," he told his daughter during an interview.

However, Bush has also shared just how reluctant he was at first since he was really not that great of an artist. He also doesn't want people to think that he is a great artist. Instead, he is someone who is driven and who simply wants to get better. It was also the iPhone app, Penultimate, that encouraged him to draw after he was able to master it.

At first, Bush started to draw images of family pets. He also painted his own image in the bath and another one with him looking in a mirror. He was so annoyed by it since he felt it was an invasion of privacy. At that time, he knew that his paintings were not yet ready for release. However, this time, he is proud of what he has accomplished.