It has only been in the last year or two that I could comfortably refer to myself as "an artist" even though art has always played a large role in my life.

I won my first award for art in the 1st grade (Got a check for $1, which I still have!  :lol: ) I've done so many different kinds of crafting that it would take pages just to list them all. I'm a seamstress (can make every thing from stuffed animals to wedding dresses), still quilt from time to time, still make beaded jewelry, and miss that I can no longer crochet (used to make doilies and baby blankets).  I really enjoy all aspects of woodworking, everything from carving wood to just making cabinets.

I taught myself to paint about 10 years ago.  Before then all my drawings were done in pencil.  After learning to paint, I kept a booth in a store where I sold my paintings and crafts.  That lasted about a year before burnout took over.  I've been hired to paint large advertising signs and murals.  Oh, and I can do face painting too.  If you want to see some of the murals I've painted just follow this link: http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=60759

I can do computer graphics and from time to time get hired to use those skills to make business cards, flyers, and restaurant menus (food menus not balloon ones. lol)

Balloons however are the true love of my life.  I never get tired of twisting them, creating with them, or working with them... and once in a while when I look at something I've created I think "Now this is art!"

Enjoy the pics.
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady

Bonnie, I absolutely love your paintings.  You are definately an all around artist.  Most people find only one, or maybe two mediums that they are truely good at.  You have been blessed with so many.  I am very lucky that you are my friend.
btw... I want to be like you when I grow up...lol.

Bonnie, that's amazing,....whish I could paint like that!

I was a nurse and still am, working on a childres ward now.
Balooning is just extra for me.

I always said that I was the only not creative person in the family. My mother and sister were always making cards, knitting, sewing....and other stuff. I did nothing.
Now I'm making balloons and I love it, finely I think that I can be creative also!
When I show something new to my famely, they always refer to the words I always said about not being creative. Now I know, I just didn't found the right thing for me, and now I have.

Petra

Quote from: "Bonnie"I've been hired to paint large advertising signs and murals.

Bonnie, love the murals. I think I enjoyed do murals best, as the scale of them just realing brings them to life, photos don't always do them justice.

Quote from: "Petra"When I show something new to my famely, they always refer to the words I always said about not being creative. Now I know, I just didn't found the right thing for me, and now I have.

It is amazing to think how many people are talented artists, but never use it, as they have a "normal" job or never been encouraged to let it out.

When I left school I went strait to work for the bakery that I had been working for at weekends and after school. It was a very traditional small family owned business. (Worked from 11pm till 12 midday yes 13 hours a day 6 days a week and 15mins for breakfast did get to go to college and it was a proper apprenticeship) I was largely on the bread side at first but moved on to confectionery. I have made wedding cakes birthday cakes and all sorts of other cakes. (Thinking of starting from home after seeing this //http://www.thecakestore.co.uk/acatalog/Strawberry_Chocolate_Cupcake_Tower.html could be a nice add on for parties) may be Graham would like to order one for the next Care & share I will nock a £10 of the price        

Had enough of the hours walked out got a job working for Dixons plc delivering white goods, then got an internal transfer to work as a  service engineer went to college got a electronics qualification, went on to work for Commodore UK then a merchant bank for 14 years then Reuters news agency.
And now the best job working with balloons.

The most creative part was the cakes and I did enjoy it.

Before we took up Balloon Twisting we would tell everyone we where not Artistic in any way shape or form: Then later followed Balloon Decor and Sculptures - now we can no longer deny the artistic and creative talent we have:

Before all this took place - My last full time Job was a Company Management Accountant by after taking my accountancy exams and working up the ranks in the accounts offices from clerk for various companies over the years ( including being company cashier for Amstrad Computers and Sir Allan Sugar in Brentwood) - My last boss in Tamworth when we started entertaining as a business took great delight in commenting a 'Clown' was doing his books, My answer doesnt everyone have one, after informing him we where not clowns.

Paul was in a similar position as Export Sales Manager of used Equipment for Clark Equipment Fork Lift Trucks: He starting many years before as the sales office junior, worked through the ranks of sales office to manager and beyond - most of this time he also ran a part time Mobile Disco - which he loved and excelled at being an entertainer with music - something we still do.

When made redundant he decided he would try and make it a full time job, then we added twisting, then decor, then sculptures, now after taking teaching qualifications has become a NABAS approved teacher, teaching the balloon art to others. Whats next???

Although not earning anything like we used to earn - we are enjoying every minute, which makes all the difference to life and ARTISTIC - of course we are we cannot deny it.

Pam

Their not particularly good pictures of the pictures  :roll: but, as promised, here's a couple of my paintings

I signed up for the navy before I left School, but had a 6 monmth wait before i got in so I worked at a local builders merchant, I then did 23 years as a stoker in the royal leaving with the rank of Petty Officer.

I started children's entertaing 7 years before I left, which worked out perfeectly as I had a good customer database and went full time as soon as I came out the mob.

As I allays say if you can handle drunken satokers, kids are easy.

With you on that one Clive and loving the art work pictures being posted - well done you artistic ones

Pam

*wonders how many drunken stokers Pam has handled*    

I share a common profession with Roger in that I too made celebration cakes.
At first, I worked for a bakery but after one year I got made redundant. I set up on my own as "Iced Delights wedding and celebration cakes" in 1986. I was just a one woman band working from home and did this for 19 years. I finally gave up after the balloon twisting entered my life and gave me a creative outlet that got me out and about rather than stuck indoors. I enjoyed the cakes for many years but the time was right for a change. I finally hung up my icing nozzles in 2005. I sold all my equipment on Ebay as I was sure that I never wanted to make another cake again! Also as I knew they would, former customers and friends kept pleading with me to make  "just one" for them. With no equipment, I could have no problem in saying no. I can honestly say that I have not missed making the cakes at all. I still get enquiries for cake orders from former customers and others. I am still listed on some websites that I never gave permission to be on in the first place.  (I have tried to track these down and get the listing removed without success ). If you set up doing cakes Roger, shall I pass these enquires on to you?!!!

I will see if I can find some photos of a couple of cakes.
Twistina

Have you seen Ace of cakes? wow the work they do.

I have and it is awesome.  Whenever I watch that I want to go and bake but mine are nowhere near presentable let alone that standard  :roll:

I have never seen Ace of Cakes. Is it on cable/satelite? I only have freeview.

The cakes were incredibly time consuming especially the ones with hand made sugar flowers as here. The marzipan people also are very labour intensive! I would get a description or photograph of the guests so that they were characatures.
Twistina
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