Lori McNee on Finding Balance in Details While Painting 'Big Lost Bend'
Artist Lori McNee reflects on the challenge of painting a black cow in her work 'Big Lost Bend' (24x30 inches, 2026), exploring the balance between too much and too little detail. She traces the phrase 'God is in the details' to German art historian Aby Warburg, who used it as a motto for a 1925 university seminar, contrasting it with the later 'devil is in the details' reversal. McNee also references the biblical 'little foxes spoil the vines' from Song of Solomon 2:15, a saying of her mother's. The painting depicts a landscape with a river and willows, where the cow required precise handling to avoid distracting from the airy scene. McNee advocates focusing on beauty and grace in small things.
Key facts
- Lori McNee painted 'Big Lost Bend' in 2026, size 24x30 inches.
- The painting features a black cow that was the most challenging element.
- Aby Warburg popularized 'God is in the details' as a seminar motto in 1925.
- The phrase 'devil is in the details' is a later reversal of Warburg's saying.
- McNee's mother often quoted 'The little foxes spoil the vines' from Song of Solomon 2:15.
- McNee wrote a related post titled 'Painting Nature: You Don’t Need Every Detail.'
- The artist emphasizes finding balance between detail and simplicity.
- McNee chooses to focus on the positive aspect of details.
Entities
Artists
- Lori McNee
- Aby Warburg