New Skills

I Believe in the power of learning new stuff- Last week four visiting artists did a residency with Ohio University’s Aesthetic Technologies Lab http://www.ohio.edu/atlab/. The focus….They all work with balloons- all of them play balloons- and for the week they got together, practiced, recorded music- Wild!
One of the artists, Addi Somekh, is a professional balloon twister and gave a workshop last Wednesday…have you ever participated in something- knowing that it was going to change your life? I had this feeling with a pop-up book workshop, the first time I developed negatives and they came out of the tank—and seeing a photograph develop on paper…HOOKED! http://newballoonart.com/addiontv.html
http://www.balloonhat.com
So, I learned your classic dog and hat structures- from Addi- and he showed us his work….he has traveled the world with a photographer making balloon hats for people. Genius. He took one idea and just kept going with it—and these hats make people so happy- so quickly- and it is so easy! Once you get a few of the basics…off you go- and off we went.
It was Halloween and we made hats for Trick or Treaters- and there was a CROWD! A child frenzy- and there was FREE candy at every house—but these kids were waiting for their hat… I couldn’t believe it—a Mom even tried to hire us to do a birthday party! And Addi said this would happen- he encourages young people- to learn how to twist- and instead of getting a part time job at a coffee house—stand on the corner, do parties—hire yourself out…make more money and more fun!
Addi made balloons at Atco- our local sheltered workshop- and I asked him how much time he needed….”The time it takes to make everyone happy.” And so we went and for two hours he made hats for about 30 people with developmental disabilities. Big beautiful hats and flowers…I thought it was a lovely morning- and then I talked with a staff member a few days later- she said that a few of the clients have been feeling really depressed- hardly talking…and this workshop had them smiling and talking about the experience for DAYS! And all it took were some balloons and connecting to one another… and that is the secret I think…figuring out how to connect to one another—I don’t care if it is through drawing or talking--- what ever it is that helps us listen and respond…makes us feel better—Art just seems to be the best thing I’ve found so far.

Back to the Balloons….With this new found technique—I just kept making and making—practicing. Looked up “How to Make Balloon Hats” on www.Youtube.com learned more…and did up some costumes for the Uptown Athens Halloween Extravaganza… and then blew up balloons on the street corner-and made hats for the partygoers -- You’d have thought we were passing out gold! People were so happy and it was so much fun- We were interviewed by radio and newspaper- it was wild- Imagine a fundraiser-- add a balloon twister- and you have instant fun, decorations....charge a buck a hat- and generate more fund raising!
My suggestion….take a workshop- learn something new…then DO IT BIG and see what happens.