Back in the early days of the World Wide Web, before “social media” was even a phrase anyone used, I built BalloonHQ.com. I was both the developer and the community leader of a vibrant, global balloon artist community. There were no Facebooks or Instagrams yet, just email lists, forums, and a treasure trove of over … Read more
I have always been fascinated with flight. As a kid, I did all the usual things. I built paper airplanes, flew kites, and launched model rockets. Somewhere along the way, I also started designing my own paper planes, then balsa wood gliders. What I didn’t expect was that it would lead me to build a 25-foot-tall piloted octopus out of latex balloons.
I don’t perform much anymore. At least not in the form of theatrical shows. I still speak when those opportunities come my way. And I teach, and I suppose that’s a form of performing. Part of it is that I’m busy running Teaching Artists ROC, making sure other artists are out performing in schools and … Read more
After Japan, everything changed. (See On Air: My First Trip to Japan (and the First Giant Balloon Sculpture I Ever Built) for more on that.) The Nebuta sculpture in December of 1998 had pushed balloon art into new territory—and people noticed. Not just friends, fellow balloon twisters, and balloon distributors. I already had their attention … Read more
When I started Teaching Artists ROC, it wasn’t because I wanted to run a nonprofit. In fact, I was adamant that I wasn’t going to launch yet another organization that would add overhead to artist fees and pile on bureaucracy. I simply saw a need that wasn’t being met: a need for more art, more … Read more
We have long searched the skies, not out of boredom, but hunger. Not for food. The food problem is solved. Or should be. We certainly have the means to feed everyone on the planet. It’s distribution, and well, really politics that get in the way of that. No, not food. What we are hungry for … Read more
I didn’t sleep much the week I arrived in Tokyo in December 1998. Not from jet lag, though that certainly didn’t help. No, I was buzzing with nerves and anticipation, preparing to lead the most ambitious balloon project of my life. It was my first trip to Japan, and it was for a New Year’s … Read more
Back in 1999, I knew I found my tribe when T Jam, the first balloon twisting convention, took place. For years, there had been talk of creating this event. It hadn’t happened previously because no one wanted to spend the money to produce a convention that wasn’t guaranteed to be successful. There was interest — … Read more
New Yorker here. I speak American English. I have traveled extensively for work, much of it internationally, which has exposed me to a wide range of languages and cultures. While I’ve always struggled to learn languages other than English, I make an effort to pick up a little wherever I go, even if it’s only … Read more
I just finished a performance and was driving home, carefully replaying in my head how well the show went. I was proud of myself. Suddenly, I saw flashing lights in my rear view mirror. And, well, we know what that means. The excitement I was feeling about my show suddenly turned to concern. So I quickly … Read more