Jolly Old Saint Christmas Mailer– What Was I Thinking??
First of all: my apologies for being so long between posts. I’ve just finished a challenging assignment, and must immediately begin another.
Desperate times call for desperate measures– and desperate illustrators who blog call for weird stuff from their dubious past. Like the following piece, for example.
It dates back to 2008. I used it as a Christmas mailer. I actually sent it to all my past clients. I look at it now, and wonder why I still have any clients– what was I thinking?? No, don’t answer that…
Historical note: the photo’s from a local community theater production. I played a
slightly unhinged politician. I know, I know: is there any other kind??
I’m older and more decrepit now, but even more ruggedly handsome.
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Have you ever come across an old photo or keepsake and wondered what on earth could have possessed you?
Do you use postcards or other items to promote your business? Care to share any tips?
Would you buy an illustration from the dapper gentleman pictured above??
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 
Hi Mark, You reminded me of a joke we heard years ago with the “I Keep Hearing Music” one. All the monks had gathered for their daily matins or whatever they do now. This was a non-vocal community. But, when they gathered, the Abbot would shout at them,”Good morning” in his sing-songy way, and they would shout back to him. This particular day the abbot said, :Someone chanted evening “. I dunno but it’s not as funny in writing !!!
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Hi, Pat! Ha! Very funny!– there’s always a wise guy in every group, and monks are no exception. I suppose you’re right, tho– it would probably get a bigger laugh if told in person by someone who can “speak” Gregorian chant… : )
Wonderful to see you, and thanks for your jolly comment! : )
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Jolly good photo for a jolly time of year! Xmas soon eek!… Have a fab one! : )
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Ha! Thanks, Annie! Yes, how does Christmas manage to sneak up on us every year?? You look away for one moment, and next thing ya know, Tiny Tim’s whackin’ ya on the shin with his crutch again!! Ah, well. A very Merry Christmas to you, and God bless us, every artist!! : )
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Only thing I know… I want one of those cards!!!! 😉
Q1: oh, yes….
Q2: hm, every year I say I will but some alien force refuses to let me carry it out! [this year, I fear, will be no exception] My advice: stay away from the green people!
Q3: YES I WOULD!!!!
🙂
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Ha!! My dear Marina! If I had any of those cards left, I’d send you one! Unfortunately, I sold all the leftovers a few years ago to a guy who said he needed something to line the bottom of his birdcage. Hmmm… thanks a lot!!
Your answers made me laugh. You’re a victim of alien forces?? Good– I’m glad I’m not the only one. Why do they torment us?? Why is it always the good people who suffer?? : P
I used to send out postcards to promote myself. Haven’t used them for awhile now. Perhaps it’s time to try them again. I had an idea re same. Will keep you posted if I decide to try it. Be sure to wear your Santa hat while you’re painting, and stay away from the green people!!! : )
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The mere fact that you THINK I’m cool is convincing enough for me. Where do I sign on to be one of your clients? You’re being too kind with the description “slightly unhinged” politician.
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely wife. 😉
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Ha! Think yer cool?? My dear Judy– you practically wrote the book!! (OK, along with your two editorial assistants, Schultz and Dooley) And I suppose you’re right: I really can’t think of too many hinged politicians. Unhinged must be a prerequisite… : )
Merry Christmas to you and Dave, your charming daughters, and the entire bloodline, as Jolly Old St. Dracula would say… : )
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Ok, rugged actor-comic illustrator… Mark, Merry Christmas! Hope you finish assignment long before Christmas.
What type of drama productions have you done?
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Ha! Rugged, eh?? Lying on the rug is more like it. Thanks, Jean! And a very Merry Christmas to you and Jack! Hope you both get lotsa goodies in your stockings. No wait, I forgot, you guys hang up your bike helmets… : )
I did finish the assignments, thanks. Drama productions, hmm, lemme think… I’ve been in three community theater productions, all originals, all written by a very talented musician friend of mine. I played a shy bumbling nerd in the first, an oily, devious, lecherous old record promoter in the second, and a borderline-psychotic United States senator in the third. As you might expect, all the parts came very easily to me… : )
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By the way, I love your U-Haul wise man on camel haul illustration!
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Ha-ha! Thanks very much, Jean, always great to get that kind of feedback. Must confess, I’m rather fond of that one myself!! : )
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Mark, I bought a card!
It’s a print of the illustration as seen in Come To The Stable, It’s Under The Bridge, as I figured it was scene from their hometown of Spokane that they would immediately recognize– and of course, that *I* recognized right away as I’ve been there at Riverfront Park many times, including as an en utereo visitor to the 1974 World’s Fair. I know from archival photos that my grandparents had (did Dad rescue them? I don’t know…!) that the Pavilion tent used to have a canvas covering that has been gone for years. Anyway, so now I have a fabulous Christmas card that came in today’s mail that will be going out to my grandparents very soon.
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Hi, Jak! How very kind of you to let me know you bought a card. I certainly appreciate it, and I’m so happy it has a personal connection for you– a bit of serendipity there!
Yes, very interesting story behind the present-day Pavilion: the tent itself (the covering) wasn’t designed to last, but the city ultimately elected to keep the superstructure (the frame and cable network) as a monument to Expo ’74. Kind of a wild idea, but I think it works! : )
Your quip about being at the Fair en utero made me laugh. Hey, it still counts– you were there!! : )
I hope your grandparents enjoy the card, and thanks, as always, for your good humor and support.
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