For nearly six months, I have been working on creating a cohesive body of work for my upcoming gallery exhibitions. So, I was rather surprised when one of my new paintings became a joke on Facebook!

Here’s what happened…
My FineArtTips Facebook fans enjoy commenting on my latest painting endeavors. Recently, I posted a new still life painting of an owl on a red vase and asked my fans to help name the piece.
On my easel the painting looked great. But (no pun intended), as soon as I posted it on Facebook the painting looked rather unusual – especially as a thumbnail.

barn owl oil painting

owl thumbnailThe comments started rolling in and before I knew it, my newest oil painting had become a BIG joke! You can read the whole thread here, but these are a few of my favorite responses…
Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.43.13 PM
Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.43.28 PM
Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.44.30 PM
Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.44.52 PM
Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.45.10 PM
Screen shot 2013-03-07 at 10.38.33 PMScreen shot 2013-03-07 at 10.39.20 PM

“To succeed in life you needthree things. A wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” ~Reba McEntire

I truly agree with Reba! But, although I had a sense-of-humor about this thread I also took the Facebook comments seriously. Facebook is a great testing tool, and I really learned a lot from my fans. My Facebook friends’ honesty saved this painting.

So, that night I repainted it and completely changed the vase. I was much happier with the new piece…and most of my Facebook friends were too. I got 165 ‘likes’ and 50 comments! 

barn owl oil painting by Lori McNee
©2013 Lori McNee “Gazing” 36×22 oil on linen

Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.47.07 PM

Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.47.31 PM

Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 12.48.09 PM

Screen shot 2013-03-07 at 11.00.43 PM
Screen shot 2013-03-07 at 11.00.59 PM

Screen shot 2013-03-07 at 11.01.25 PM

Sometimes it is difficult for ‘us’ artists to put ourselves ‘out-there’ on Facebook and risk criticism from our peers and fans. Although I was a bit embarrassed by this whole thing, I was able to laugh at my public ‘mistake’, joke about it, and then correct it. In fact, Kneeland Gallery is using “Gazing” for the cover of the exhibition, “Poetry & Place”  invitation!

PS. You can join in the fun at Fine Art Tips Facebook Fan Page and let’s meet on Twitter, and on Google Plus, and Pinterest! Please check out my art too LoriMcNee.com. And please take a moment to view my fine art prints and notecards on Fine Art America. Thank you. ~Lori

Privacy Preference Center