George W Bush's brush portrays world leaders, features Manmohan

Former U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday revealed a series of portraits of world leaders he painted in a new pursuit that he said has "opened my mind," even though it left him exposed to joking criticism from his mother.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday revealed a series of portraits of world leaders he painted in a new pursuit that he said has "opened my mind," even though it left him exposed to joking criticism from his mother. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh features in the exhibit.

A detail of a portrait of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which is part of the exhibit "The Art of Leadership: A President's Diplomacy," is on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

An exhibit titled "The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy" opened on Saturday at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

It features Bush's paintings of some two dozen world figures he worked with during his 2001-2009 presidency, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Dalai Lama.

A self-portrait and a painting of his father, George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, also are part of the exhibit.

Bush had no interest in painting until leaving the White House and reading Winston Churchill's essay "Painting as a Pastime." His earliest works included quick drawings made for family members with an iPad app.

"I wanted to make sure the last chapters of my life were full, and painting, it turns out, has helped occupy not only space but opened my mind," Bush said.

"I paint a lot because, as you know, I'm a driven person and I want to get better. A whole new world has opened up."

Portraits of world leaders which are part of the exhibit "The Art of Leadership: A President's Diplomacy," are on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas