The business suit in portraiture

Maybe it is like thinking of a carrot. When something bothers you in a certain way you see more of it everywhere.

I don't think the business exec is an art afficionado and the commissioning of a portrait is out of his field of expertise. It is a decision likely resting on company tradition or a referral from a colleague.

This opens another can of worms dealing with fashion, fame, popularity and simple convenience. The art world is driven by this machine. I can't leave out politics either.

It takes a knowing eye to see where talent and skill leaves a tool behind. There will always be an artist raising the bar and a buyer defining the lowest common denominator. When money is an issue art often suffers. I need money to live but I would rather die than lose my ability to see the ideal.