FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- An art professor from Methodist University has quite a story to tell.

• Professor Vilas Tonape was asked to give a painting lesson to former President George W. Bush
• The former president wanted to learn about painting a portrait, using a live model instead of painting by using a photograph of a subject
• Professor Tonape says he plans to touch base with his famous student soon

Through a mentor, Professor Vilas Tonape was asked to give a painting lesson to former President George W. Bush. Tonape is the chair of the art department at the university.

He traveled to Texas in March. The former president, who has taken up painting since leaving the White House, wanted to learn about painting a portrait, using a live model instead of painting by using a photograph of a subject. And it turned out the live model was not very far away -- it was former First Lady Laura Bush.

Tonape spoke about how engrossed the former president was in the painting lesson.

"He seemed very attentive, very sensitive to what I was doing so I felt more like I was teaching a post-graduate student rather than an undergraduate student," he said.

Professor Tonape says this was a life-changing experience and he plans to touch base with his famous student soon.