Former President George W. Bush draws inspiration close to his Dallas home in his latest paintings
Former President George W. Bush didn't need to look too far for inspiration for his newest works of art.
The 78-year-old has brushed portraits of world leaders and people who immigrated to the U.S. But his newest collection draws on scenes much closer to home: his presidential library in Dallas.
The exhibit opened Thursday at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush moved to Dallas after he left the White House in 2009, and he took up oil painting a few years later.
The 35 new works are an ode not only to life at the center but also SMU. The exhibit called 'A Shining City on the Hilltop" is both a nod to SMU's nickname — The Hilltop — and former President Ronald Reagan's famous use of the phrase 'shining city upon a hill' to refer to America, said Teresa Lenling, director of the presidential museum.
'This features not just the places around the SMU campus but it really takes a look at the people that are the heart of this campus and the community,' said Lenling, adding that Bush composed the paintings from photos taken around the center and campus.
One of the paintings comes from the center's opening in 2013, when then-President Barack Obama and all of the still-living former presidents, including Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, posed in front of the new building.
Devon Yarbrough, who works at the center, said she was 'very surprised' but pleased to spot her herself in one of the paintings. She's depicted reading a book on her lunch break while sitting on a bench under tree in the center's 15-acre park.
This is the fifth exhibit of George W. Bush's art to be featured at the center. His first exhibit was a collection of portraits of world leaders including including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Dalai Lama.
He's also done a collection of paintings of military veterans, which were featured in his book 'Portraits of Courage,' and painted portraits of people who immigrated to the U.S., which are compiled in his book 'Out of Many, One.'
The exhibit is on display through Oct. 19.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tanks roll into DC for Trump's massive show of force
Tons of military hardware can be seen rolling into Washington, D.C., for a massive parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary on Donald Trump 's birthday. Dozens of tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, along with Strykers and other armored vehicles will all be part of the show of strength in the Nation's capital. Footage released by the Army shows a long line of military vehicles heading toward the nation's capital by commercial rail – with one shot showing the Washington Monument in the background. The images were shot from above by helicopter, providing stunning overhead views as the lethal materiel rumbles across DC's Anacostia River. Another shot shows the city's Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in the background. The new video revealing the scope of the equipment being mustered comes as Trump deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests and mayhem there despite opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said it would escalate the situation. Trump ordered the arrest of everyone wearing face masks and called to 'bring in the troops' to L.A. Local authorities in Washington have already warned of the damage that 60 ton tanks could do to Washington's roads, at a time when it is struggling to preserve federal funding. The White House says the cost of the parade will be between $25 million and $45 million, at a time when the Department of Government Efficiency formerly associated with Elon Musk has been slashing contracts in search of $1 trillion in cuts. The Army posted its video with the comment: 'Right on schedule!' with a stopwatch emoji. Part of the parade route will run down Constitution Avenue just south of the White House with a 'birthday festival location' on the National Mall. Trump returned to the White House from Camp David Monday, where he confirmed the location of another project that will put his mark on the White House.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kieran Culkin faces fierce fury over his bizarre response to being cast in Hunger Games prequel
Along with his iconic role as Roman Roy in the hit series Succession (and his appearance as the lesser-known McAllister brother in Home Alone), Kieran Culkin is also known for his dry humor. For years now in various interviews and speeches, he's made countless 'jokes' about not caring about his job or not knowing what he's doing. He's sarcastically discussed his own award nominations, told fans who have called him their favorite actor that they should 'aim higher,' and claimed the Oscar awards was just a bargaining chip to get his wife to agree to have more children. And most recently, he's made a pretty shocking statement about his upcoming portrayal of Caesar Flickerman in the Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Culkin, 42, who was confirmed to appear in the series last month, was signing autographs for fans outside of his Broadway play, Glengarry Glen Ross, when he made the comment. A fan, recording Culkin, told him, 'You're going to an amazing Caesar Flickerman.' 'I don't think so,' Culkin responded as the supporter continued, 'I'm so excited.' Culkin then said, 'Lower those expectations please... please do... I have no idea what I'm going to do with that.' Most recently, he's made a pretty shocking statement about his upcoming portrayal of Caesar Flickerman (seen in the original franchise) in the Hunger Games prequel Culkin is an Oscar-winning actor, and yet his nonchalant attitude about his accomplishments is starting to rub fans the wrong way - especially when it comes to a franchise as beloved as The Hunger Games. Fans took to social media to share their disapproval over Culkin's comments after the video went viral on X, formerly Twitter. 'This "I don't take anything seriously" act of his has worn out its welcome' one X user shared. 'This whole bit of his where he doesn't give a f**k or care about his job is tired and annoying,' another agreed. 'I thought winning one of the most undeserved Oscars ever might make him less annoying, but it didn't,' said someone else. 'The pretending not to care thing is getting old because [people of color] would get slaughtered for this and there's better actors out there that probs couldn't even get an audition for this,' a different person pointed out. 'I cannot not think of all the actresses who are witch hunted daily for making jokes not even close to this… a woman publicly saying she is not prepared for a role? Cannot even imagine,' a fifth tweet read. has reached out to Culkin for comment. Fans expressed anger at Culkin's constant sarcasm, pointing out the double standards in the industry that allow him to get away with it 'Can you imagine the reactions if Rachel Zegler had said that?' asked another user, undoubtedly referencing the backlash Zegler received when she shared her opinions about the original Snow White movie being 'dated.' The upcoming Hunger Games film is set to be released on November 20, 2026, and explores the world of Panem about 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's story. As of right now, the franchise includes five books and six movies, the most recent release being The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes movie which was released in 2023. And with Sunrise on the Reaping being not too far away, fans are encouraging Culkin to get it together. 'Lower expectations... this is the f**king hunger games... not your little Saturday Night Live monologue..... READ THE BOOKS AND GET THE F**K TO WORK,' another user said.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Watch: Protester interviewed after being tear gassed during LA riots goes viral
Watch the moment a protester who was hit with tear gas during the Los Angeles riots said it 'tasted like fascism'. Law enforcement in LA have been using 'less-lethal weapons' such as tear gas and rubber bullets to dispel demonstrators who gathered to protest immigration raids at the Metropolitan Detention Center on Friday (6 June). Speaking to CBS News on Saturday (7 June), a demonstrator in downtown LA said he 'tasted a little tear gas' which 'tasted like fascism', in a moment that has since gone viral on social media. The ongoing protests intensified after Donald Trump deployed over 2,000 National Guard troops to the city on Sunday (8 June), a move he defended as a 'great decision' which saved the city from being "obliterated".
