Meeting Social Media Friends In Real Life

Over the past few months, I have been traveling a lot.

My art and social media businesses have taken me to fun places where I have been able to meet some of my social media friends in real life (IRL).

Over the past few years, my social media efforts have opened many doors for me, and introduced me to many fascinating people. So, I thought I’d share a few of my recent experiences with you…
First, as a member of the Board of Advisors for Plein Air Magazine, I was invited to attend the Plein Air Convention in Red Rocks, Nevada near Las Vegas in April.
Hundreds of painters gathered to learn, paint, and mingle with the top painters (many are my Facebook friends) from around the world. The unseasonably cold weather didn’t stop the largest gathering of plein air painters in the world from having fun.

The NAB Convention (National Association of Broadcasters) was happening in Las Vegas at the same time, so I was able to also meet my Twitter friend, Irene Magafan. Irene produced the promotional video podcast for the book I helped write, Zero to 100,000 Social Media Tips & Tricks for Small Businesses byand Sarah Jayne  and Dean Anthony Gratton.

Next, I dashed off to Los Angeles where I met up with Hollywood producer, Adam Leipzig at Art’s Deli in Studio City. Adam and I enjoyed lunch while we brainstormed about our social media seminar, “Demystifying Social Media and Making It Work For YOU”  (It turned out to be so successful, we have made a recording now available…stay tuned for more social media seminars for creatives).

Adam  has worked with “Top 10” worldwide brands such as National Geographic and Disney, and some of his movies have also become household names, including March of the Penguins, Dead Poets Society and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Dedicated to helping creatives, Adam Leipzig shares the passion and playbook of a film producer to help creatives and entrepreneurs get transformative results.

My  next stop was Malibu, California where I met my lovely Twitter friend, Lori Moreno. Although Lori and I have been friends for years, we had never before met IRL! We enjoyed chatting and laughing during lunch while overlooking the beach. The next day Lori and I met up again in Calabasas with my longtime friend, Mariel Hemingway. Both from the same town in Idaho, Mariel and I have know each other for over 20 years.  It was great to visit with her at her home in California.

After my California visit, I headed back home to Idaho. A few days later, I had a surprise visitor. My Facebook friend, talented artist Alfred Currier, paid me a visit. Alfred and I have a been friends on Facebook, but had never met IRL. Each year, Al likes to take a break from his Pacific Northwest studio and this year he decided to stop by Idaho.

Al and I painted and talked for three fun days. We swapped art stories, and Al even gave me his beautiful book, Alfred Currier Impasto. Then, Al drove off with his little T@G trailer and headed on down to Colorado where he painted with his other Facebook friends.

Living up here in the mountains can be a little quiet at times, so I really enjoyed meeting and visiting with my social media friends in real life. Social media made all of these experiences possible. But, now I better get back into my studio and get to work! ~Lori
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Have you met any of your Twitter, Facebook or other social media friends IRL?
PS. Let’s meet on Twitter, and on Google Plus, Pinterest, and join in the fun at Fine Art Tips Facebook Fan Page! Please checkout my art too LoriMcNee.com, or find me on Instagram lorimcneeartist. ~Lori