I have had the good fortune to have found lots of really nice relatives in Italy but for years I have not had a good way to get in touch with them. I wrote letters that were never answered. I made phone calls and could not understand what people were saying because the lines were bad, or… maybe just because I’m nervous. And then there was the 9 hour time difference, making it really difficult to find a good time to call people.
So whenever I needed to communicate with a relative over there, it was like a shot in the dark… Until Ilenia friended me on Facebook.
I already had some teenagers who were my friends on Facebook so I didn’t have high expectations. But Ilenia was different. She quickly became my means of communication with the family in Sersale. So I owed her a great debt of gratitude.
When she saw the painting I did of her grandfather, she immediately asked me if I would paint one of her. I was noncommittal in response to her request, but without really thinking about it, I found myself doing a photo session with Ilenia posing sassily. I really love the way Italian teenagers interact with adults – like we’re all people.
Related: Santina and the Spatulas
6 responses to “Ilenia – Facebook is better than the telephone”
I love this! Love love this portrait. She looks worried, wise, and very human. You’ve captured her insides as well as her out.
I think it may be a European thing – French teenagers are the same!
In the light of your magnificent portrait, I think you should rename it “Beautiful Facebook”!!
Beautiful portrait, Mimi!!
Yes.. I agree… FB is a great way to communicate. My husband has now gotten into Skype… he and his brother Skype all of the time and his parents go over to his brother’s house so they can “see” Gastone when they talk.
Of course your portraits are a wonderful form of communication as well… They convey so much meaning!
Lovely portrait Mimi.
Glad she is helping you keep in touch with your family.
I LOVE this girl! Well, I love YOUR rendition of her, Mimi.
I agree with you, Italian teeangers interac with adults. The ones I know here, totally ignore you.
By the way, she looks lovely.