Posy Puzzler: What’s The Lone Ranger’s Favorite Flower?
Whoa! Talk about an ambitious post–! I’m going to:
1. tell you about a marketing project I’m working on
2. pay homage to a famous American pop culture duo3. show why an illustrator should always ask himself: What else can I do with this image?4. answer the question posed by the post title (note: clue hidden in image below)
I’m working on a marketing project for a very distinguished client: me.
It’s titled 13 Reasons To Hire An Illustrator. Naturally, I’m hoping that people will hire me, but I’m focusing on a wider truth: an illustrator can deliver unique value. It pays to hire an illustrator to help you send the right message.
My ultimate goal: create a video I can post on YouTube, and a corresponding slideshow for Slideshare.
Obviously, I need a slide for each of the 13 reasons. Here’s the 14th (below).
Yes, you read that correctly. I wanted to include a bonus that would double as a joke– tho it’s not entirely a joke; in fact, it contains a lot of truth… : )
Many readers will recognize my cartoon homage to the Lone Ranger and Tonto— but some readers may not.
The two are part of American pop culture, fictional characters who roamed the Old West, good guys who captured outlaws, righted wrongs, and always played fair.
My characters are based on the two actors best known for the roles: Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels (below), who played the Lone Ranger and Tonto, respectively, in the old 1950s American television series.
Both men played the roles straight, projecting the absolute integrity of the characters. Later movie adaptations took a much looser approach– and failed at the box office.
I liked the image of The Lone Ranger trying to bask in Tonto’s reflected glory. Part of
the joke is that the Ranger was always the hero; Tonto was just his sidekick, his “faithful Indian companion.” Now that he’s a cool illustrator, Tonto suddenly has the upper hand.
I asked myself if I could get any more mileage out of the illustration. I thought it would make a great wall poster that I could sell thru my online gallery. I reworked the text, added some grunge, and reframed it. Here’s the result: Â 
And finally, the question that’s on everyone’s mind: what’s the Lone Ranger’s favorite flower?
Well, you’ve already seen it twice– sort of. It’s the Indian Paintbrush, which includes a rather staggering 200 species. We only get to see one of them here in New England, but it’s a beauty (photo below courtesy of Barb Wendt):
I’d like to take credit for the Indian Paintbrush joke, but I can’t. It was suggested to me
by a pal of mine named Eric Meisfjord, who happens to be The Fastest Punster In The West. Well, the fastest in Washington State, anyway.
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Are you a Lone Ranger fan? Do you know the real name of The Lone Ranger Theme?
Had you heard of the Indian Paintbrush? Ae you someone who can identify wildflowers?
Ever hired an illustrator and immediately become cool by association?
Hope you’ll leave a comment.
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Mark Armstrong Illustration Specializing In Content Marketing Advertising Editorial Infographics Animation Videos and Social Media 
I’m disappointed to hear The Lone Ranger’s favorite was Indian Paintbrush which is lovely. I thought his favorite would be Bachelor Button. I’ve never hired an illustrator but if I do you will be at the top of my list.
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Your first sentence made me murmur, “Oh, dear!” Your second made me roar with laughter. Your third made me do my beet-nik impression because my face turned so red– with pleasure and happiness, I mean. Thank you, TT, for that wonderful comment!!
P.S. Did you know Jay Silverheels was Canadian? (really) No wonder he was such a cool and classy guy… : )
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But of course, what other paintbrush would he be using than the Indian paintbrush!! I knew about the flower from a friend who hangs around places with these [http://bongodogblog.com/2013/03/28/flower-power/]
It’s true, hanging with you makes us cool – radiant and very colorful! 😳 😆
You’ve got yourself a difficult client there, Mark. I can imagine the dialogues and the fights!
I’m also familiar with this client. She’s ever so bossy and cruel! Oh well 😕
Note to potential clients: Hire this man and let magic unfold!
🙂
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This wonderful comment put me in a quandary: I couldn’t keep up with my emotions: I laughed, I cried, I blushed, I jumped for joy! Then I ran down to the flower shop to order you the world’s biggest bouquet of Indian Paintbrush. But the flower lady shook her head sadly.
“This is for Marina?” she said. “Alas, there are 200 species of Indian Paintbrush, but I only have 199 of them in stock. And Marina’s so special, she really deserves all 200, don’t you agree?”
“That is so true!” I cried, my tears puddling on the floor. But she said she’d let me know as soon as she got the missing brush… : )
Thank you for that delightful comment, my dear Marina! And I don’t believe for a minute that your #1 client could ever be bossy or cruel. I know for a fact she’s charming… : )
Thank you for stopping by to dispense some of your inimitable magic!! : )
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Ah… so it was you who sent 200 Indian Paintbrush species! What a gesture! Now we definitely have to move to a bigger house!! 🙂
As for my client… she always carries a whip! Not nice I tell you! 😉
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What?? They only delivered 200?? But I hired a whole team of botanists to develop another 300 species– just for you!! Ah, well: the best-laid plans of mice and paint-splattered illustrators do oft go astray, as that funny talkin’ chap Robbie Burns once said… : )
Your “client” carries a whip, you say?? Ah, not to worry– hers is a playful nature, that’s all… : )
Sending you a big virtual bouquet of Paintbrushes, my dear Marina!! : )
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🙂 What a bouquet!!!! Both client and me are smiling joyfully!!! [slight hopping too!] 🙂
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I’m a huge fan of the 1950s “Lone Ranger” with Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger (1949-52 and 1954-57) and Jay Silverheels as Tonto. (John Hart played the Lone Ranger from 1952-54). I adored them both.
The theme song was the “William Tell Overture,” by G. Rossini (composed in 1829). Did you know that the 1949 opening episode told how the Lone Ranger got his name (it was John Reid) and his mission in life. He was a Texas Ranger. In an ambush, five of his fellow rangers were killed. Reid was left for dead and later nursed back to health by Tonto. And, “kemo sabe” means “trusty scout.”
Mark, I’ve always to be cool. So, naturally, I’d want to hang with you. Your excellent illustration for one of my posts attests to your skilled artistry and the ability to capture the moment in one frame. Your illustration should prompt many to sign up right away. Hope to see you on YouTube soon. 😉
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Too kind, my dear Judy, too kind– but that’s OK, I know you can’t help it, it’s your nature… : )
Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels were big heroes of mine, growing up. I watched the show faithfully on Saturday mornings. I did know the backstory of how the Ranger was the only surviving member of an ambush– hence, he’s the Lone Ranger– and how he was nursed back to health by Tonto. The LR’s nephew, Dan Reid, would show up every so often– on his school break, I think. All his classmates would head for Ft. Lauderdale, he’d head west to help capture a few outlaws… : )
As for being cool, you’re so cool I’m making you an honorary illustrator!! So start carrying around one of those giant paintbrushes– you’ll find they come in very handy if your frisbee gets stuck in a tree… : )
Thanks as ever for your wonderful support! : )
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Made me laugh by catching me with my – as one IBM trainer said to me – “amazing grasp of the obvious” on the LONE Ranger. (I practically fell out of my chair laughing at that one.) And, thank you, for making me an honorary illustrator. I will wear my giant paintbrushes proudly. 😆
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Yeah, it’s like if you’re a shark and you’re swimming with a school of sharks and you get ambushed and you’re the only survivor, that makes you a Loan Shark. Same idea. : P
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This rad Indian agrees — your magical humour has rubbed off on me. A feather in your cap, Mark, as I take my hat (Canadian toque) off to you! 😀
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Ha! “Rad Indian” made me roar with laughter and appreciation– one of the all-time great puns, my dear Radhika!! (May I call you “Rad”? No, never mind, I like Radhika better… : )
Thank you for that tip o’ th’ toque– I’m waving at you by making my feather go back and forth like a metronome!! Always a great pleasure to see you, that’s for sure!! : )
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You can call me Rad….just don’t call me Al! Ooh, I see it now….an Indian-American dance sprinkled w/ Bollywood style + saxophone with moi as Paul Simon and you as Chevy Chase to correctly represent the difference in our heights. A rad idea! 😀
If you’ll be my jokeguard, I’ll be your long lost pal. I can call you Mark and Mark, when you call me, don’t call me Al.
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Ha! You’re totally “rad,” all right– I think I finally understand the origin of that slang expression!! An Indian-American dance team, with Bollywood panache and growling saxophones?? I like it!! I’ll make a few calls, and see if I can get us on next season’s Dancing With The Stars!!
Your final rhyming couplet was cool and inspired, and so are you, my dear Radhika!!! : )
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The Indian Paintbrush is type of flower?! I feel like I’ve learned so much from this post.
Of course hanging around with an illustrator makes you cool. That’s why I hang around here so much! 😛 At least it might make me ‘virtually’ cool at least 🙂
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Yes indeed, stick with Armstrong the Botanist, the great flower expert– you’re bound to learn a lot!! Uh, wait a minute… I think the Indian Paintbrush is about the only one I know… : (
No, that’s wrong– I know Lily, The Fairest Flower In The Blogosphere Garden!! Uh, that would be you, my dear Lily!! : )
And you’ll never need to settle for being virtually cool. My visits to your blog tell me that you are the genuine article– I has spoken!! As always, great to see you! : )
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So reading your cool blog and my husband walks into the room he of amazing trivial facts aand I said “Jay Silverheels was canadian” only thing I said..because it seemed self contained and important. And he didn’t get it. He said “So what’s that supposed to mean?” Sadly he must not be a visionary or else he’d know that tidbit will serve him well sometime in the future, though today it’s all about love and candy.
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Ha!! It’s clear someone needs to have a word with your husband. Perhaps we could double-team him– he sounds like an especially challenging case… : )
I agree: Jay Silverheels being Canadian is– or should be– a shocker!! One of the most revered Native Americans in television history turns out to be a Native Canadian?? It’s a stunner!! How someone could take it all in stride is beyond me… : )
Wait!– the explanation’s very simple: it being Valentine’s Day and all, he was clearly preoccupied with whether to get you candy or flowers. Well, I hope he went with both. Always good to see you, Alison, many thanks for your very funny comment! : )
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valentines effort was exceptional so all is forgiven
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As long as the paint brush is not made from Silver’s tail!
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Ha!! Your quip conjured up an image for me, Jen: Silver on a psychiatrist’s couch. He’s saying: “Other horses got something to swish flies away with, but not me. Why?? Because somebody needed a paintbrush, that’s why!!”
Poor guy. Well, at least he was a great supporter of the arts– whinny, whinny!! Thanks for the laugh, Jen!! : )
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I just learned about Lone Ranger when I watched this film with my favorite actor Johnny Depp as Tonto the Indian Friend. I enjoyed it. You should watch it too 🙂
And I like the idea of your wall poster… Well expressed and detailed.
No wonder Toothsome finds it so cool hanging out with Mac Giggles… 😀
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I’ve always been a big fan of the Lone Ranger. I think it’s because he reminds me so much of myself: tall, strong, handsome, always doing the right and noble thing. Yes, we’re a lot alike that way… : P
The only reason Mac Giggles is cool, is because he hangs out with Toothsome. As a bonus, he sometimes gets free donuts. Thank you for your lovely comment, my dear Toothsome!! : )
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