US secretary of state reveals talent for self deprecation and comedy by embracing internet meme and posing for skits

Not since her husband strapped on a tenor sax and blasted his way through Heartbreak Hotel two decades ago has a Clinton managed to look quite this effortlessly, glacially and glibly cool.

But whereas Bill needed a TV studio and an adoring audience, Hillary has made do with an improvised workplace, a stack of briefing files and a phone.

Photographed on camera calmly scrutinising her BlackBerry from behind a pair of dark glasses while aides mill, ant-like, behind her aboard a military aircraft, the US secretary of state is a study in understated political potency.

So popular have the two images – one monochrome, one colour – become that they have given rise to an internet meme that has won the approval of Hillary Clinton herself.

The Tumblr homage, entitled Texts from Hillary, imagines text exchanges between Clinton and a number of public figures including Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Meryl Streep.

In one picture, the US president and vice-president joke that Clinton is "just going to love the new Justin Bieber video", only to receive a terse text from her reading: "Back to work boys."

In another, Meryl Streep interrupts a red-carpet moment to text Clinton suggesting brunch. "Obviously," comes the reply.

Others show a more mischievous side. "So then I sent her a text saying I think I left my favourite sunglasses in the desk," Condoleezza Rice tells George Bush.

"Sorry, Condi, haven't seen them," texts the beshaded Clinton.

The Tumblr feed, which was the brainchild of Stacy Lambe and Adam Smith, attracted a huge internet following – and numerous submissions – before coming to the attention of the woman herself.

On Tuesday, Clinton sent Lambe and Smith her own take on the meme, in which she mocks Stacy's self-portrait and makes light of her fondness for wearing scrunchies in her hair. She also posed for a picture with the pair as proof that her submission was real.

Her entry was autographed with the dedication: "Adam, thanks for the many LOLZ. Hillary 'Hillz'."