Social Media for Artists - Facebook

Kerri Dixon Author

Discover why Facebook is still one of the best platforms for artists to build community, find inspiration, share work, and create new opportunities.

Why Facebook Is Still One of the Best Platforms for Artists

Last week we talked about using Instagram as your online portfolio—a place to beautifully showcase your artwork and document your creative journey.

This week I'd like to turn our attention to another platform that often gets overlooked by artists.

Facebook.

I know what you're thinking...

"Isn't Facebook old news?"

Not at all.

In fact, I think Facebook is still one of the most powerful platforms available to artists today—but probably not for the reasons you think.

While Instagram is fantastic for displaying your artwork, I believe Facebook wins when it comes to building community.

It's Not Just About Posting Your Art

Many artists think Facebook is simply somewhere to upload a photo of their latest painting and hope someone notices.

It can certainly do that, but you're missing one of its greatest strengths if that's all you use it for.

Facebook is about conversations.

It's about joining communities.

It's about finding people who already share your interests.

As artists, we spend a lot of time creating on our own, so having places where we can connect with like-minded people is incredibly valuable.

Find Your People

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is trying to share their work with everyone.

Instead, I'd encourage you to find your

people.

If you love painting birds...

Join bird groups.

If you paint horses...

Join horse communities.

Love dogs?

There are hundreds of dog lovers' groups.

Paint Australian wildlife?

You'll find groups dedicated to native animals, conservation and wildlife photography.

The wonderful thing is that these people already love the subjects you paint.

You're no longer trying to convince someone to be interested in your artwork—they're already passionate about it.

A great example of this happened after I completed a painting of a magpie.

Rather than simply posting it on my own Facebook page, I shared it in a Facebook group dedicated to people who love magpies.

The response was incredible.

The painting attracted lots of comments, new followers and even resulted in a commission.

I wasn't trying to sell anything.

I was simply sharing something with a community that genuinely appreciated it.

Sometimes the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing at all.

The same thing happened with my dingo paintings.

Over the years I've become involved with people who love dingoes and care deeply about their conservation.

By regularly sharing my artwork with those communities, people began recognising my work.

That eventually led to selling seven original dingo paintings at around $2,500 each.

None of that happened overnight.

It came from becoming part of a community I genuinely cared about.

People buy from artists they know, trust and connect with.

Facebook Groups Are Gold

One of my favourite things about Facebook is the incredible variety of groups available.

Whether you're looking to improve your skills or simply connect with other creatives, there's a group for almost everything.

You can join communities for:

• Soft pastel artists
• Charcoal artists
• Wildlife artists
• Botanical artists
• Beginner artists
• Local art societies
• Regional exhibitions
• Nature lovers
• Bird enthusiasts
• Horse owners
• Farm life

The possibilities are almost endless.

These groups become places where you can ask questions, learn from others, celebrate your progress and encourage fellow artists.

Finding Reference Photos

Another fantastic benefit of Facebook is access to reference photography.

Many photographers have groups where they generously allow artists to use their images, provided permission is requested or certain conditions are followed.

There are also groups created specifically to provide copyright-friendly reference photos for artists.

If you've ever struggled to find good wildlife reference images, Facebook can be an incredible resource.

I've also found that many photographers are happy to be contacted directly.

A polite message explaining you're an artist and asking permission to use one of their photographs often receives a positive response.

The worst they can say is no.

Learning Never Stops

Facebook isn't just about sharing your artwork.

It's also a wonderful place to keep learning.

You'll find artists discussing techniques, reviewing art supplies, sharing framing ideas and recommending workshops.

Sometimes someone else has already solved the exact problem you're currently facing.

It's like having thousands of artists available to learn from whenever you need them.

A Great Place to Discover Opportunities

Facebook is also excellent for finding opportunities you may otherwise miss.

You can discover:

• Local exhibitions
• Art competitions
• Workshops
• Demonstrations
• Markets
• Retreats
• Art society meetings
• Gallery exhibitions

Many of these events are promoted first through Facebook Events or local community groups.

Messenger Makes Connecting Easy

One feature that's easy to overlook is Facebook Messenger.

I've had countless conversations begin with a simple message after someone discovered one of my paintings.

People often feel much more comfortable sending a quick message than writing a formal email.

Many commissions begin with nothing more than a simple,

"Hi Kerri, I love your artwork..."

One of the things I enjoy most is seeing members of The Creative Barn connecting with each other.

Sharing encouragement.

Celebrating each other's progress.

Cheering someone on after they finish a difficult drawing.

That sense of community is something Facebook does exceptionally well.

Art can sometimes feel like a solitary hobby.

Facebook reminds us that we're part of something much bigger.

One Very Important Warning

As wonderful as Facebook is, I'd like to finish with one important reminder.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Social media platforms change.

Algorithms change.

Accounts get hacked.

Sometimes accounts are disabled without warning.

I know this from personal experience.

That's why it's important to remember that we don't actually own our Facebook account.

Or our Instagram account.

Or our YouTube channel.

They're wonderful tools—but they're not our business.

Your website...

Your email list...

Your membership...

Those are the things you truly own.

Think of social media as the pathway that leads people to your home, not the home itself.

This Week's Challenge

This week I'd encourage you to:

• Join three Facebook groups related to what you paint—not just art groups.
• Share one piece of artwork in a group where it's genuinely relevant.
• Leave a thoughtful, encouraging comment on another artist's work.
• Follow a few photographers or wildlife organisations that inspire you.
• If you're a member of The Creative Barn, spend a little time encouraging another member's artwork.

You never know where one genuine conversation might lead.

Final Thoughts

I don't believe Facebook is about collecting followers.

I believe it's about building relationships.

Whether that's connecting with other artists, joining communities that love the same subjects you paint, finding reference photos or simply encouraging someone else on their creative journey, Facebook has an incredible way of bringing people together.

Think of Instagram as your online gallery.

Think of Facebook as your local art club—a place where artists gather, swap ideas, celebrate successes and support one another over a virtual cup of coffee.

And sometimes, those conversations lead to opportunities you never expected.