Join the debate
Jump in the Crossfire by using #Crossfire
on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Bush the artist?
Former President George W. Bush unveils his paintings for the first time publicly to his Presidential library in Dallas, Texas.
Among the paintings you can find portraits Bush created of his dad and several world leaders including Vladimir Putin and Tony Blair.
Bush wasn't sure how the world leaders would take his paintings.
"I think they're going to be (like), 'Wow, George Bush is a painter,"' Bush told NBC's "Today" show in an interview. "I'm sure when they heard I was painting, (they said), 'Wow, I look forward to seeing a stick figure he painted of me.'" FULL STORY
For this Fun Friday Fireback we want you to weigh in: Do you think George W. Bush has a promising career as an artist?
Vote by tweeting Yes or No using #Crossfire or by commenting on our Facebook post. View results below or through our Poptip results page.
Meet the Hosts
Author, documentary filmmaker, historian, Speaker of the House (1995-1999), and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
Fmr. Obama Deputy Campaign Mgr. and W.H. Sr. Adviser, founder of Precision Strategies, fmr. Sr. Adviser to Maj. Leader Reid and Sen. Kennedy
Conservative columnist for New York Daily News, contributing editor at Townhall Magazine, commentator and author
Former Special Adviser for Green Jobs under President Obama, co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, author and attorney
Bushy Jr. was always an artist; a con artist. Now that he has lost his bully pulpit, he has to showcase his other art.
well he clearly conned you
Wonderful comments from the tolerant left!
Whether or not Bush is a good artist is sort of a moot point, because he is already known by everyone who was alive during his terms (so everyone who is old enough to make a difference) he will without a doubt be successful. This article is evidence of that, who doesn't want to see an ex-president's new pursuit. Art isn't really about the technical or "realistic" qualities these days anyways. Its about having something that you think is valuable and something you believe in pushing out to the public. And he's doing that.
bush is a terrorist. and so are his employers... I pity them and those that knew what was going on 9/11... I wish the best for you all as you receive your universal karmic ass whooping.
Could you express that on canvas?
Hitler was an artist also, so what's the point.
The GOP Solution: Turn all the Old, Sick, Poor, Non-white, Non-christian, Female, and Gay people into slaves. Then whip them until they are Young, Healthy, Rich, White, Christian, Male, and Straight. Or until they are dead. Then turn them into Soylent Green to feed the military during the next "unfunded/off-the-books" war. And don't forget the GOP all time favorites........TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH!!!..........and........GET RID OF SS AND MEDICARE!!!
It's all trash. He belongs in jail. He's a criminal. He should paint portraits of men he sent to die in Iraq. No a better thought, he should let the dead alone. He's already done too much to destroy the families. He has no remorse and he will burn in hell because of it.
Why doesn't Bush paint those WMDs they found in Iraq? Oh yeah.......that would be a blank piece of paper. I hope he thinks about THAT when he starts a new painting.
I can't believe all the haters on this sight.People are so blinded by ideololgy
that they can't give a guy a little credit for some pretty good work.This is the
poison that infects our society today.
I didn't like his politcs but I like his paintings. He had a warm personality and a good sense of humour. It seems to show in the paintings. I love the one he did of Canadian PM Harper. Don't like his politics either. He looks like a fat clown. Lol
I didn't like his politics but I like his paintings. He has a warm personality and a sense of humour. It shows in his paintings. I like the one he did of Canadian PM Harper. Don't like his politics either. Makes him look like a fat clown. Lol
What do you expect from people so blinded by ideology that they dehumanize anybody they disagree with? Mix that with the authoritarian path the progressives are heading down and watch out. Authority in the hands of those who dehumanize those they disagree with is indeed a dangerous thing.
Without meaning disrespect to the former President, but I almost chocked with my breakfast oats when I saw this. Perhaps, from now on I should avoid bringing my tablet to the table when I eat. One thing I have clear, the world grows bizarre by the minute. The title of this article is ridiculous, but what is mostly sad and depressing is that 57% "like" this work? Goes to show that education is sorely needed in this country, that or folk should spend sometimes appreciating art instead of watching tv shows. It is really sad that this man has ever been given room to display this crap.
I beg to differ; from a very objective point of view...had it not been because he is the former President, this work would never have made the news. It is sad that 57% think this is art let alone that has merit. Goes to show the lack of education that exists in the USA. For the record ,this looks like it was painted by a 7grader that needs to take some more classes. Sad, really sad.
It's not much different than airing Mr. Obama's NCAA bracket or reporting on his vacation. The only thing that makes it relevant is his fame.
Haters are always on this website. Do you actually believe that an objective viewpoint from a CNN viewer would make these postings
"Fear YHWH and give HIM glory, the hour of JUDGMENT has arrived. Worship the One who made the heavens and earth and sea, and the fountains of waters."
"When looking for BLOODSHED, The Most High YHWH will REMEMBER! He is sure NOT to forget the OUTCRY of the ORPHANS and the AFFLICTED ones"
"YHWH Almighty is NOT to be mocked! What a man sows, he WILL also REAP!
HEAR THIS: YESHUA IS NEAR!
If you can tell who the guy is painted, it's not a bad painting. Bad was Tony Curtis. So sincere and his "art" was something a first grader did with finger paints. Tom Snyder burst out laughing and so did I. Great was Henry Fonda. Those who paint enjoy it and it's relaxing. I think it's petty and uncouth to treat Bush this way while Carter is talking down to the Pope and Bill Clinton is in search of his next hottie.
Google "The Bush Family" to see who the real traitors to the US are.
It certainly raises the bar over the recent "art" scene. Lady Gaga vomit art anyone?
Bush paintings are really not good, they are like that of a child who brings their art work home for mom to hang on the refrigerator . . . In other words, "The Emperor Is Not Wearing Any Clothes"
You must be blind, portraits of faces are very difficult and as someone above has pointed out, if you can figure out who it is, the painting isn't terrible. I was rather impressed to be honest even though I'm by no means a fan of the man as a president.
Wrong, drawing faces are not hard, neither are drawing hands, both involve drawing lines from one point to the other and finding the relationship between the two. We hear that it is hard to draw faces from those who are too lazy to take the time to really see how the lines connect, and so we believe it. But what about the ones who draw faces very well, are they freaks of nature, I think not. That is all! O:)
The only reason President Bush's paintings are receiving notoriety is that he is the former president of these united states of America, otherwise, Bush, being a artist of and I use that term loosely, he would stand in the very back of the artist with a inch of talent line. There are so many gifted artist out there that actually put in the time and are worthy of praise. His Paintings are raw, undeveloped and lack direction. Period. 😦
Who said the point was to compete with professional artists or become one? You don't expect a Pulitzer prize performance when presidents write autobiographies do you? To be fair and retort your comments, you wouldn't hate the work if it wasn't created by a notorious individual. Period
Who are you, his publicist? Bush's paintings are not great, heck, they are not even good. Now if he was a child and painting like that, the painting would be considered good for a child of 12 years of age with very little fanfare, that child would received a pat on the head with encouragement to practice and take some art classes. They allowed bush to cut in line of real artist with potentially promising careers. Period.