Meme Culture
Memers of the arts bring all the laughs to the yard.
Jason Baum
Jason Baum, aka @jasonbaum, has been vigorously hitting the meme scene for years. His consistent humor and zeal for pushing the edge of Facebook Community Guidelines bring a precedent for the unexpected. You never know what your eyes will be in for when witnessing his work. One thing is certain with Jason Baum: you won’t be bored with his mind.
Looking at his creations, it is obvious Jason has a familiarity with editing programs. The font choices, the varying styles of conveying a message or humorous situation, even the styling of a unique and subtle watermark show a thoughtful balance of elements. And kudos to Jason for making such an effort to think up original text captions for his material so often!
In Jason’s Words
“Thanks to The Laughing Librarian for the opportunity to share some captions. I get great satisfaction creating them. Most of the time, I write specifically to the artwork I’m captioning. Occasionally, I’ll use an old joke or meme that fits the image.”
My challenge is, they make me laugh, even when I know I’m in the minority. Here’s my analysis of why many of my efforts don’t get more traction.
Things I’m guilty of:
- Too many damn captions in an image
- Blasphemy
- Vulgarity
- Channeling the maturity of thirteen-year-old Jason
- Typos (So many typos. dog-danmed dyslexia!)
So, when we think of “Channeling the maturity of thirteen-year-old Jason”, what, pray tell, does Jason mean? Let’s find out.
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Randy Poulis
Gentleman Having Breakfast. On right: Thomas Gainsborough, The Blue Boy
Randy Poulis, of multiplatform classic art meme fame, has no qualms about being direct. His meme creations can make you laugh while punching you in the gut, and leaving you hungry for ice cream for some reason. He is down to earth. Relatable. Consistently unpredictable. The best type of mischievous skallywag. A riddle, wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce.
Randy’s adventures in meme creation are rooted in an undergrad degree in Creative Writing followed by 20 years working as a journalist, much of that spent as an editor. He reached the end of that rope. He returned to university to study Theatre Design, welcoming all the debt that came with it.
All those years spent as an editor (sports, news, layout) naturally led to the creation of memes. Some describe this as unnatural. As it has always been, Randy’s satisfaction comes from the process of creating memes, followed by the end result. After posting a meme, he often finds in the comments others who have glimpsed the same inspiring moments which helped formulate the work (yeah, way too much sociology to go with that Theatre degree).
Randy also brings a large dose of skepticism to many of his memes and that directly reflects the winding road that brought him happily here.
Randy is also admin of the current Facebook group The Original Church of Sarcasm H20, formerly known as The Original Church of Sarcasm, which Facebook took a strong dislike to. At times, Facebook has taken a strong dislike for Randy as well.
A Merry Ride
When Randy isn’t running The Original Church of Sarcasm H20, he spreads his humor through the treacherous waters of Facebook. Taking chances with sarcasm like a professional gambler rolling the bones, he cranks out memes that may hit home (or not). And trigger the platforms community guidelines flags along the way. Regardless, his following looks forward to what creations they will see each day.
Check out Randy’s posts on Facebook and visit his group, The Original Church of Sarcasm H20.
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Carly Neptune
Carly Neptune creates comical situations from everyday life with a combination of wit and wisdom and a love for people. Her work is warm in its connection and inviting in resonance. Sometimes loving wisdom is telling us stay at a safe distance of 3 meters.
bortaS bIr jablu’DI’ reH QaQqu’ nay’
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Revenge is a dish best served cold
Favoring a fondness for the niche humor with a dark twist at times, Carly Neptune delivers the goods on a daily, posting fresh material and supporting fellow creators. Her classic art meme group, Classic Art and some Curious Oddities, hosts a plethora creators of varying styles and approach.
In Carly’s words:
“I’ve been creating memes for about five years now. I especially love making Classic art memes, fusing timeless masterpieces with humor to create something both clever and relatable.
During the pandemic, meme-making served as a creative outlet for my anxieties and became a source of joy in a time of fear and frustration.”
“I also enjoy crafting memes based on current events, popular TV shows, and movies. I often use pop culture references to make my content engaging and humorous.”
“Over the years, meme-making has not only allowed me to express myself creatively but also helped me forge meaningful connections within a vibrant community of content creators. Sharing laughs and ideas with such a community has been incredibly rewarding.”
“Whether reinterpreting renowned artworks or addressing contemporary issues, I am grateful for this passion and connection with others.”
Find Carly Neptune’s work in the Facebook group Classic Art and some Curious Oddities!
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Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, French painter, Madame d’Aguesseau de Fresnes, 1789 (more…)
Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun (1755-1842) had an extraordinary life. Her artistic talent was recognized early on by her artist father, from whom she received instruction and encouragement to pursue her passion. At the age of 15, she began earning a living as a portraitist. Le Brun captured the personalities of her sitters so well that she eventually became Queen Marie Antoinette’s favorite court painter. The artist’s loyalty to the monarchy led her to flee France with her daughter to escape the French Revolution in 1789. With their graceful poses, elaborate costumes, and engaging expressions, Le Brun’s portraits of society women made her one of the most respected female painters of the 18th century. Vive Madame Le Brun!
Read more about Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun: https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/elisabeth-louise-vigee-le-brun-1755-1842
Art has been a lifelong passion for Linda Rosefsky. She has worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, muralist, children’s art instructor, and for several years, as an adjunct art history professor. In her classes, she covered everything from prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary Pop Art. During Professor Rosefsky’s lectures, classic art memes would unexpectedly appear on the classroom screen, in her words, “to engage my students and keep them awake.”
Virginia Frances Sterrett, American painter and illustrator, The Dragon’s Teeth, from Tanglewood Tales, 1921 (more…)
Virginia Frances Sterrett (1900-1931) started drawing at a young age and never stopped; not even when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of 19. While bedridden in a sanitorium, Sterrett continued drawing and was commissioned to illustrate three books of fairytales. She created lovely, imaginative scenes of mystical faraway lands she had only seen in dreams. Her princes, princesses, castles, and fire-breathing creatures were so charming that the young artist was paid a substantial sum – a remarkable achievement at a time when women rarely earned money as artists. Sterrett died of tuberculosis at 30, leaving a legacy of work that continues to enchant kids of all ages.
Read more about Virginia Frances Sterrett: https://artpassions.net/sterrett/virginia_sterrett.html#:~:text=Biographical%20Information,Missouri%20to%20live%20near%20relatives
Linda’s favorite course was Women in Art, in which she and her students discussed the role of women throughout history – not only as subjects – but as creators, writers, and patrons. Frustrated that art history is often perceived as elitist, stuffy, and boring, she strongly believes that art should not be obscure and intimidating but rather something that is easily accessible and relatable for everyone.
Lilla Cabot Perry, American Painter, Mrs. Joseph Clark Grew (Alice Perry Grew), 1903-04 (more…)
Lilla Cabot Perry (1848-1933) began her artistic training later in life, studying first in her hometown of Boston and later in Paris where she befriended Impressionist Claude Monet. For ten years, Perry’s summers were spent in a house near his home in Giverny where they painted side-by-side. Her work became colorful and vibrant, embodying the independent spirit of Impressionism. Although she exhibited widely throughout the US and Europe and was instrumental in introducing Impressionism to America, Perry’s stunning body of work was forgotten after her death in 1933. After a New York gallery held a retrospective exhibition in her honor in 1969, Perry was finally recognized as a daring and innovative artist with an unusual and exceptional career.
Read more about Lilla Cabot Perry: https://nmwa.org/exhibitions/lilla-cabot-perry-an-american-impressionist/#:~:text=Lilla%20Cabot%20Perry%20was%20a,and%20the%20mother%20of%20three
Linda’s latest labor of love is creating memes based on beautiful and little-known paintings created by women artists over the centuries and posting them to several classic art meme groups on Facebook, including The Laughing Librarian. In 2023, she created La Vie en Rose Arts, a page that celebrates great women artists – with humor.
Artemisia Gentileschi, Italian painter, The Penitent Mary Magdalen, 1620-25 (more…)
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-c. 1656) learned to paint in her father’s studio, and went on to paint for the highest ranks of European society. She turned her personal trauma into powerful works of art featuring strong women from the Bible and Mythology. Throughout her accomplished career she was inspired by historical female warriors who overcame obstacles with courage and bravery, just as she did in her own life. A wealthy male patron once insulted the artist by haggling over her fee and treating her, in Gentileschi’s words, “like a novice.” She responded in a scathing letter with “And now, I’ll show your most illustrious Lordship what a woman can do!” And she did.
Read more about Artemisia Gentileschi: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/gentileschi-artemisia/
To her surprise, the number of followers for La Vie en Rose Arts has grown from five or six to over 65K. Linda’s grateful to all those who take the time to personally engage with her content every day, and thrilled that so many people appreciate these talented painters and find humor in her memes.
Berthe Morisot, French painter, Young Woman Seated on a Sofa, c. 1879 (more…)
Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was one of the few women artists who were members of the Impressionists, a radical group of French artists in the mid-to-late 19th century. Although critics at the time focused on the “feminine” qualities of her work, Morisot achieved an impressive amount of recognition in her lifetime. She is best known for painting intimate scenes of everyday life featuring the women who surrounded her. In Morisot’s world, aristocratic ladies and chambermaids were portrayed with the same dignity and respect. As the artist once eloquently wrote: “It is important to express oneself…provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience.”
Read more about Berthe Morisot: https://www.biography.com/artist/berthe-morisot
In Linda’s words:
“If I can introduce just one person to a woman artist they’ve never heard of before and make them smile – maybe spit out a drink – then my day was not wasted.”
Angelica Kauffman, Swiss painter, Portrait of Fortunata Sugher Fantastici, 1792 (more…)
Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was considered a child prodigy – painting commissioned portraits in her early teens. She was trained by her artist father and traveled across Europe, working as his assistant. This provided the rare opportunity for a woman to see and copy numerous works of ancient classical art. Kauffman developed a calm, harmonious, neoclassical style of painting and excelled in depicting complex scenes from mythological, literary, and historical sources. The artist made such a huge impression in London, she became one of the only two women founders of the Royal Academy. Though often overshadowed by her male colleagues, Angelica Kauffman is recognized as an incredibly prolific painter who paved the way for women artists.
Read more about Angelica Kauffman: https://www.infinite-women.com/women/angelica-kauffman/
Mary Cassatt, American painter and printmaker, Driving, 1881 (more…)
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was born to a prominent Pittsburgh family who strongly objected to her plans of being a professional artist. At the age of 15, her stubborn determination led her to attend a fine arts academy in Philadelphia where, according to Cassatt, there was little to no instruction and female students were not allowed to draw from live models. Discouraged, Cassatt left the academy and moved to Paris, where she met the Impressionists. She became one of only four women in their circle, and the only American invited to participate in their revolutionary exhibitions. Though she is associated with intimate depictions of the private lives of women, Cassatt also explored themes of female independence and gender roles in the 19th century. Her modern subjects and unusual viewpoints were innovative and fresh, making her one of the one of the most influential modern artists of her time.
Read more about Mary Cassatt: https://marycassatt.org/biography.html
Rosa Schweninger, Austrian painter, In the Parlor, 19th century, (more…)
Rosa Schweninger (1849-1918) was part of a Viennese family of artists. Her father was a respected landscape painter, and her first teacher. Growing up in this artistic environment allowed Schweninger to thrive as a painter. She continued to study at various art institutions in Vienna, where she was one of few Austrian women to receive formal training in art during the 19th century. Schweninger explored the beauty of everyday life with remarkable realism and emotional depth. Being a female artist in a male-dominated field could not have been easy, yet she became renowned for her enchanting portraits, vibrant landscapes, and intricate genre scenes. Schweninger’s contribution to the history of art is truly a testament to her skill and dedication to painting.
Read more about Rosa Schweninger: https://www.niceartgallery.com/Rosa-Schweninger-oil-paintings.html
Find Linda Rosefsky’s latest daily work on her facebook page La Vie en Rose Arts.
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Robin Speight, aka MEME ME Rdgs, is a recent legend in the art of creating classic art memes. As a hatchling in a classic art meme group years ago, she grew her feathers, creating content since 2023. Over time her work has evolved, taking flight as the followers of her own page have flourished to a flock of over a 14k following. Thankfully she’s been celebrating art and laying golden memes ever since.
It would be even more impressive if Robin were actually a bird, pecking away at her keyboard or phone. The memes would be worth millions somehow. Alas, her skills are quite human. And priceless.
In Robin’s words:
“Out in the “real” world I was a high school literature and writing teacher. I currently write, make memes, and was a decent artist until unforeseen circumstances made drawing difficult. I am a lifelong learner and have enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about classic art through the meme-making process.”
“I’ve always loved Art Deco with its clean lines, geometric shapes, and bold colors. Tamara de Lempicka is my favorite artist; However, Art Nouveau runs a close second. Anne-Marie Zilberman’s Golden Tears is my very favorite piece of art because I love the feelings it evokes.”
Robin has been an admin and moderator in several art groups and is now co-admin in a group she founded called Classic Humor Art Reimagined Memes (CHARM), a small group that goes by the motto: By Creators For Creators. She runs profiles on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
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Getting Cheesy with LaVeda
“Cheesy” LaVeda (pronounced Lah-Vee-dah) has been putting her spin on classic art since early 2022. This was at the height of the media blitz about the Missouri cheese caves, which LaVeda swears she has no knowledge of, as she allegedly lives in another state which we’ll call “Texas” for simplicity’s sake. Cheesy or not, LaVeda is a meme whiz.
As a mother of several, LaVeda has plenty of spare time. She has created thousands of art-related memes and has inspired others to create works which carry the same spirit, and sometimes the exact same words. Often mimicked but never duplicated, her content can be found on almost any classic art page which monetizes by sharing others’ work or in many groups on social media platforms such as Facebook.
A master memer with a “Mama Bear” spirit, LaVeda has accounts under the Cheesy LaVeda moniker on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. Her Facebook profile Cheesy LaVeda commands a following of over 13k as well as being the active admin and founder for the group Cheesy Memes.
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