Interview with Graham Lee

Started by G L Admin, March 23, 2008, 09:07:07 PM

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G L Admin

I liked the interview idea so much that have decided to start it straight away, so I may as well be the first one up.
Have already been in touch with someone else about being on next.
How long should we run this for each person?
It would be a good way of getting to know each other a lot better.
I'll try to get some well known balloon celebraties to join in so that we can interview them as well.
So fire away what would you like to know?

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://balloonartwholesale.co.uk/
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Dave

#1
Hi Graham how and when did you get started with balloons? and whats the biggest thing you've ever made?
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

G L Admin

#2
Ever since I've done my magic shows I've twisted which is about 25 years ago. The normal thing sausage dog, swan, etc.

I believe I seriously got into the twisting when I saw Bob Wooding lecture at a magic convention in Eastbourne about 10/12 years ago.

The airplane on my site took over 30 hours to twist and we built a see saw in America with Colin Myles which took both of us over 3 days to build.
Only have picture of this on my own portfolio.
When I find out how to reduce a picture I'll check with Colin & see if we can post it.
Or have a look at smiley balloons which is Colin's website, he may have it on there.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://balloonartwholesale.co.uk/
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

cashmagic

#3
have you any plans to bring a 2nd dvd out and if so what is going to be on it?
life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

G L Admin

#4
Yes a second DVD has been recorded, just waiting to be edited.
The subject matter is 15 flowers, with a similar feel to the first DVD
of having 5 basic, 5 intermediate and then 5 advanced flowers.
So hopefully catering for everyone.
Must try and get this done pretty quick but as usual I always seem to
take my time over everything.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://balloonartwholesale.co.uk/
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Professor T Wist

#5
What do you most enjoy about twisting and why ?

G L Admin

#6
"What do you most enjoy about twisting"
now that's a good question.
I can definately say what I dont like & that is line work where your just a machine.
But the rest of twisting I love, entertaining, going to the care & share days & meeting so many people with all different ideas.
There are so many colourful & different charictureas around in the balloon world.
I enjoy twisting & entertaining at the same time, so quick & easy
but they also have to look impressive. Less is sometimes more.
Things that people can play with as well, games, toys etc.
The Ralph Dewey transformer would work great to make it as a toy car
with the child standing inside making the car noise while driving around then
whoever has made it can tell them to go faster or the robot monster will get them,
you can then change it to the robot. It would keep me happy, but then I'm easily pleased.
My pet project at the moment is to perform the balloon magic act more for joe public in the so called real world.
Lets show people what can be done with balloons as people still think all you can make are sausage dogs & giraffes.
I still dont think I've answered this one correctly yet but just to say that I'm very passionate about our world of latex.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://balloonartwholesale.co.uk/
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

bickers

#7
Have you always used sempertex? If not when did you start using them and what made you start using them?

Graham Lee

#8
Right here we go, apologies to those that already know the story, will try not to bore you to death, but when I get going?
I started the care & share days after my friend David Grist died in Jan 2005.
David & I always talked about how there were things going on in America & Europe for the twisters but nothing in the UK,
we always talked about starting something but never did.
Then in 2005 David died from cancer, so I decided it was time for someone to get off there backside & do something, so I did.
Having started to promote the day I needed a venue & supplies, so approached qualatex about whether they would like to sponsor the day.
They offered to supply a venue & product for people to try till the end of the year with I think about 4/5 days booked for 2005.
The days really took off from day one and as usual off I went in June to TMJ in Belgium where Leo who runs this convention said he had someone that would like to talk with me, that person was Oswald Loewy, otherwise known as Mr Sempertex who owns the company. He had heard about the days & wanted to get involved in some way and would like me to represent Sempertex in the UK, what an offer!
I explained that I had a verbal agreement with qualatex to the end of the year but after that we could see what happens.
I think it was in September/October that qualatex told me they were not interested in sponsoring the days in 2006 so I got in contact with Oswald & asked him to send over some samples, off I went very naively to a three day nurses convention in Scotland where I had to twist for eight hours a day with only Sempertex balloons with me, although I must admit I did have the qualatex balloons in the car as standby just in case.
Well the days went very well, no problems with the balloons; they were excellent and stood up to the test & the qualatex balloons stayed in the car.
The only problem I had at the convention was that someone stole my three portfolio books, amazing can you believe they walked off with all my pictures,
I nearly had to go into therapy over it.
So Sempertex told me what was on offer, I asked them to put it in writing which came within a few days and I signed in November 2005 to promote them for the next three years starting 2006.
Well the funny thing is that a few days after signing, qualatex were back in touch with me saying they had changed there minds and would now like to sponsor the days again, well to say the s-h-i-t hit the fan would be an understatement.
The days I think have gone from strength to strength & the rest is history, so that's about it and how I travelled over to the dark side.
Should I get on my soap box telling you about how good Sempertex balloons are,
I think not because that's for you to find out.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

cashmagic

#9
you say you dont like line work but have you ever done busking with your balloon and if so how did you do
i go busking alot only do 2 hours a time and get around 30 to 40 pound a time
life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

Graham Lee

#10
Yes I like busking, but what I do is not traditional busking.
About 2/3 times a year in the school holidays I'll go to my local high street twisting the balloons and charging set fees,
so technically I'm a trader/vendor.
If you let joe public choose what to give you you'd end up with coppers, in my experience.
I usually go for about 4 hours & hope to get 75 but the good thing is that it's a PR exercise
as when I get home people generally ring for a birthday party.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Dave

#11
What advice would you give someone starting out, or someone looking to expand their business?
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Graham Lee

#12
For someone who is starting out with balloon modelling.

Just go slowly with what you learn and whatever you make, please just make it well.
So that it stays in shape, in proportion & does not untwist.
Then move on to the next model, when people come to the care & share days they
try & take in too much. Dont forget there is always tomorrow.

Expand the buisness.

You cant beat the personal touch, adverts do a job but to actually meet people &
show them what you can do with balloons will speak more than a 1000 words ever can.
Balloons are so tactile, people cant help but want to touch & hold onto them.
They then want to take them home with your phone number & contact details.

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

bickers

#13
Quote from: "Graham Lee"You cant beat the personal touch, adverts do a job but to actually meet people &
show them what you can do with balloons will speak more than a 1000 words ever can.
Balloons are so tactile, people cant help but want to touch & hold onto them.
They then want to take them home with your phone number & contact details.

Graham Lee

You could start a dating site too Graham....  :D

What is your favourite kind of job to do?

G L Admin

#14
"What is your favourite kind of job to do?"

I like doing a little bit of everything. Life is very good at the moment,
with the, Magic shows, Balloons & making the DVD's, The care & share days,
Promoting Sempertex at magic & juggling conventions with the wholesale balloon site
and going all over the world, well a few countries with the Balloon magic act.
And now my latest venture, attempting to run a balloon forum with no computer skills  :o  
So I have to say I get a buzz from it all, not just the one thing.
It's also good to see people progressing with there balloon skills
at the Care & Share days

Greaham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://balloonartwholesale.co.uk/
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk