Sunday, September 5, 2010

SMS

Signs of modern times.

This young fellow was enjoying the sunshine outside The Gardener's Cottage, a popular place to have breakfast in Newlands here in Cape Town, and I couldn't resist sneaking this pic of him while he wasn't looking at us.

Only when I uploaded it, did I realise what he was doing - sending messages on his cellphone!  I hope he got a great response.

35 comments:

AK said...

This is a fantastic moment.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Cool picture
Benny & Lily

Willy. said...

The work speaks!! Private investigation,super cool.
Groeten, Willy

Liana Yarckin said...

liz, you captured the gesture of texting perfectly! i just chuckle when i see subjects txting or emailing on their phone. sign of the times.

Harry Kent said...

haha, you sure nailed that absorbed concentration ... i love the peak of the cap creating his private moment for his text-world relationship

Carol Blackburn said...

It sure is a sign of the times, Liz. Very nicely done.

jyothisethu said...

beautiful picture, liz...
the old masters captured the life of their time we also have to do the same...
and so the idea is good...

Barbara Pask said...

Oh yes, we see that everywhere now don't we? Great sneaky photography, I'm pretty good myself, lol. the painting is wonderful, such nice work.

Marian Fortunati said...

So amazing Liz.... You captured this perfectly and you're right.... It is a sign of modern times!!!

Well done!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

This is so excellent. You captured the moment!
love
tweedles

Anthony Duce said...

Wonderful painting. A good opportunity to capture a as subject without him or her knowing.

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Great job Liz, what would we do without our cell phones???

Prabal said...

I recognized what he was doing immediately. I see so many people in this pose everyday. :)
I think the way he is leaning so casually against the wall to keep himself balanced is tough to paint. And the way you have managed it is really good. I also liked the way background has been treated.

Autumn Leaves said...

Oh my Liz! This is a fabulous piece, so well done! I too knew right away what he was doing. That said, when I read your words then looked again, I realized what it MIGHT look like he was doing from afar! You've set me to giggling this a.m. Ok...I'm a 12 year old boy at times...

Rosemary said...

Liz, what a good eye you have! You knew your canvas would like this pose! Love the way you treated the subject - subtle color with great skin tone - the shadow under his legs...Great job!

Dianne said...

Hi Liz, I am back in bloggy land.
Great picture, Liz, at first glance, it looks like he is taking a leak!
I also love the doggy portraits. x x

Marie Theron said...

I love the body language here, just look at those feet! So typical of a young boy. It is a pity rather that kids hardly look up nowadays so busy are they with texing a friend!

Diana Marshall said...

Love the way you left the edges unpainted, very cool painting!

martinealison said...

Oubli total... On sent parfaitement que ce jeune homme est ailleurs... Est-il préoccupé, envoie-t-il un message ? En lit-il un ou joue-t-il tout simplement comme beaucoup de jeunes gens ??? Bisous

padmaja said...

The painting speaks for itself, great choice of subject, cool action, lovely Liz!Most of the times, this wonderful invention is a boon, sometimes a pain:-)

Charlene Brown said...

A lot of kids are given cell phones because they've promised to text their parents from time to time ... and some of them actually keep their promise! This boy looks like a great kid (you always paint pleasant people) so he is probably letting his mother know he'll be late home for lunch.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you AK!


And thank you Benny and Lily!

Art with Liz said...

Dankie Willy! Enjoyed your comment!


And they're so good at texting aren't they Liana! I'm so slooow!

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Harry, thank you. That whole concentration thing is what caught my eye.


Thank you so much Carol!

Art with Liz said...

You know Sethu, I never thought of it that way! I suppose art is all about capturing moments in time and history!


Ooh Barbara, sneaky photography can be quite embarrassing if you think they've seen you! Luckily he certainly wasn't looking at me!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you dear Marian and I hope you're having a great time on board!


Thank you so much Tweedles!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Tony and thank you - unaware figures are absolutely the best, don't you think?


Go without a cell phone? Oh no Rhonda! But I've been known to leave mine at home quite frequently!

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Prabal and thank you! I've been reading and watching Richard Schmid and love the way he loses his backgrounds - have a look at his work.


Ha Sherry! Aren't we all like little boys at heart sometimes!! Only this time - too public!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Rosemary. I'm getting better with compositions which is a major weak point that I'm working on!


Hey Di, at last you're back! One of the people who got me started!! Great stuff!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Marie! And will we be seeing you this Saturday in Cape Town???


Hi Diane and thank you. Richard Schmid influence there!

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Martine, these young people are so good at texting - and so fast! Nice to have you back in blogworld.


Sometimes a pic just speaks to you don't you think Padmaja? I love unposed photos!

Art with Liz said...

I don't know about the 'late home for lunch' Charlene! I think it was to the girlfriend asking her to join him!

hmuxo said...

Liz...love candid shots..makes a better painting. The shadings are wonderful...and I like the subtle colors...great job.

Crystal said...

Beautiful and so current! :-)

Elizabeth Anderson said...

Ha ha You've captured that peculiar private moment of cell phone use in a public place. When I accidentally watch someone texting private messages it feels somehow voyeuristic especially when I see their expression responding to who they are messaging.