Not sure about others, but for me I think it's situational; when I see an attractive young lady at the sea-side in a "bathing suit" with sun, surf, etc, in my mind that's a happy scene and I expect smiles and happy expressions. Their expression in 'American Gothic' work (IMO) because they seem appropriate. The painting has a rigid, stern feeling, and the life of a farmer in the 1930s wasn't an easy one, so you expected them to be dour. NOTHING against your work Trev, just trying to explain my reaction.