Pickles, I actually started all of my clowning in the Fort Hood, Texas Library. I had no idea what I was doing and the lady I bought my business from apparently didn't either. She had a business running for 9 years, yet only did one party every 3 weeks. I studied the only balloon book they had which was Dr. Droppos (I think) and then there was a book on parties by David Ginn, then I studied clowning and the history of clowns, the history of balloons, the history and art of puppetry, acting, magic and face painting. I was armed with just enough to be able to produce entertainment and then learn from experience.
Alot of books and DVD's can also be found at T-Meyers in Austin, TX. I have one of captain visuals and Ralph Dewey's. I like to take something that is a one or two balloon creation and ask, what can I do to add something to this. Such as if you do a monkey, hang it from a palm tree. Or if you do a butterfly, add a 260 "wand" to it's underbelly to be able to "fly" it, do the samething to an airplane. Now you have an interactive balloon as well as a large sculpture, which is visually more "valuable and attractive". If you put a teddy bear on a heart, then put all of that on a hat...the bigger the better. My favorite videos are that of John the Balloon Man. He has about 24 and I have all of them. They have beasts and bugs, cartoons, crazy hats, gospel balloons, and all kindsa good stuff! Good luck!
-Keep Having Fun, Baby!
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