from the shovel ….

Since leaving office four years ago, former US President George W Bush has devoted much of his time to painting.

The 43rd President, who has been taking lessons from local artist Bonnie Flood, has experimented with landscapes and self-portraits. But it is the paintings of his pets that have drawn the most attention.

Mr Bush posted a painting of his Scottish Terrier Barney on his Facebook page earlier this year. Now he is in the final stages of completing portraits of his other beloved pets John Howard and Tony Blair. “I know these little guys so well, so I just painted from memory,” he said.

Flood was impressed with the quality of her student’s work. “He is going to go down in the history books … as a great artist,” she said.

Mr Bush says he is a big believer in life-long learning and is planning to take up English classes soon.

George Bush Puts Finishing Touches To Portraits Of John Howard & Tony Blair