Who knew? President George W. Bush is a painter and he’s proud enough of his work to share his art with some of the most powerful people in the free world.

Some would think a 16 hour flight with a passenger list that included President Obama, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton would get awkward. However, politics were put aside as the mourners all boarded Air Force One yesterday en route to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service

Today, everyone seems to be talking about the pictures taken by White House photographer Pete Souza. They show Bush proudly showing off his works of art via an iPad. And the crowd looks impressed.

Bush shows off his paintings on Air Force One to Michelle, Hillary, et al http://t.co/L4KN3LkH5H via @petesouza pic.twitter.com/ItXRn2VgSc

— Megan Hess (@mhess4) December 11, 2013

This selfie picture is making the rounds as well. Obama is receiving some heat for taking it at Mandela’s service.

Selfies and laughing at a funeral… pic.twitter.com/U5k8cDSFmW

— Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) December 10, 2013

Bush’s new love of painting is actually not a complete surprise. He introduced his artwork to a national audience on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bush painted a portrait of the talk show host and gave it to him as a gift. He also confessed to Diane Sawyer that painting has had a major impact on his life. “Painting has changed my life in an unbelievably positive way.”

Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 last Thursday. Political leaders from around the world and celebrities alike gathered in Johannesburg to pay respects to the former President and revolutionary who sacrificed his freedom in an attempt to end apartheid.

Image via Wikipedia Commons