Neither portrait (Obama, Michelle) looks presidential or reverential. Obama’s looks like one of those 1960s “groovy” kitsch work. More like paint-by-the-numbers. Michelle’s just looks amateurish.
I agree. Obama’s looks just plain silly (the flowers are apparently the state flower of Kenya and something else related to whatever is known of his past) and makes him look even whiter than he looked in person, while his wife’s portrait bares absolutely no resemblance to her, also makes her look white, and is simply poorly painted.
The artists were chosen for their color and their PC, of course, but unfortunately that doesn’t make up for their lack of ability. As I recall, W’s painter hated him and Republicans in general, something known to Bush at the time, but still did a good, professional portrait.
You said it.