Mark Armstrong Illustration Specializing In Content Marketing Advertising Editorial Infographics Animation Videos and Social Media

Whoa! Talk about an ambitious post–! I’m going to:

1. tell you about a marketing project I’m working on2. 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:  

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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