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Artist and wife saddened to learn of Barbara Bush's poor health

Former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush bought their first piece of art at W Robert Paine Gallery in 1981. Bob and Evelyn Paine, gallery owners, have become good friends with the Bush family since then.
Former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush bought their first piece of art at W Robert Paine Gallery in 1981. Bob and Evelyn Paine, gallery owners, have become good friends with the Bush family since then.

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush have spent every summer at their home on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport since they married in 1945.

That's 73 years of memories and becoming a staple in the coastal community. Over the years they’ve made several connections with locals including the owners of the W Robert Paine Gallery in Kennebunkport. Bob and Evelyn Paine first met the former President and First Lady in 1981 when the couple bought a painting Bob had done of Walker’s Point.

Painting of former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. 

Since then they’ve lost count of the amount of paintings they’ve done for the Bush’s, including a piece that hangs in the family room of the main house on Walker’s Point and was in the Bush’s Christmas Card last year. The Paine’s have a very strong opinion about their friends of 37 years.

"The most wonderful First Lady this country has ever had as far as I’m concerned," said Evelyn. "Just a regular person. Both of them go out of their way to be that way. Very dedicated, wonderful people."

Evelyn and Bob say they were hoping for one more summer with Barbara Bush and that the last time they spoke with the former First Lady she expressed to them that she also hoped to make it back to Walker’s Point at least one more time.

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