Hello everyone!!

Ill be doing some balloons over seas this summer once more! Been working out some details and will be hammering out the rest in the coming weeks.

I would love to be able to meet up grab a drink, visit, jam or just say hi if that is something that can and does work out.

Looking to try and busk or even help out with any work that anyone has if we happen to be near and the need is there. And will be looking into booking more work if I can in the meantime!

June 18-19 Ill be working the ESL One Event  in Frankfurt.
June 21-22 Working the Meltdown bar in Cologne (still working out details)
June 23-26th working the HomeStoryCup XIII in Kerfeld
 
June 27th---July 6th Up in the air. Possibly Visit Steve in Brugge. Would like to make my way to Edinburgh and or Glasgow.
This time is still pretty open nothing set. Only thing is Ill be traveling towards Dublin where I will need to be by July6th or 7th (There is a possibility of heading back to Cologne to do more work at Meltdown still working out what I can do for them)

July7-July18th In Ireland (Dublin and Cork)


Hope to see some of you if I can. Gotta love this balloon thing!


I would not be doing any of this without the amazing community and family we have in the balloon world. To all of you, thank you so much for teaching me and supporting me and each other!!

FuDD

Im a fan of these two (Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes)

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Link with Scott Nichols uninflated balloon sculpture from last years T&S He left it in my room and I still have it.....

Hey everyone!

I have been mia for sometime. Since Summer I think.

Things have been good, trying to be busy. Not as successful at home it seems..Marketing etc.
Even with my out of town events still trying to figure out the right pricing for what I am doing. Not sure about you but I seem to have to learn by mistake no matter the advice and how sound I think it is....

Here is a bit of a write up of my experience last weekend. Let me know what you think and any suggestions and critiques are very welcome...In fact I beg for them!!!



Hope life and the change into fall is greeting everyone wonderfully! Its a rain and hail soaked day but here in the desert its something most of us welcome with open arms. Even if many of our less smart residents try and brave over flowing roads and washes to only need a rescue...

I just returned last night from the ESL New York Event and had an amazing time as I did in Frankfurt earlier this year. I was able to run into fellow TLers Hot-Bid and Kofgokuon and chat a bit! And make many friends while making balloons.

SirActionSlacks and Soe did interviews with me!! Which was pretty cool Soe is so nice and sweet and it was a pleasure to get interviewed by her again. And SirActionSlacks was a nice guy and I was happy to find out about him and meet him, A great man and always smiling!! Also Managed to make a balloon Earthshaker for DotACapitalist!


The Staff and crew were super nice and great to work with! And I can not believe all the nice things people have to say. I love that it is taken that way but it is a bit overwhelming in a good way...I also wonder about the sanity...hahah!

It was work work from the time I got in to the time I left. In at 7pm JFK- Hotel arrived at 9:50pm
Started building display pieces till 3am. Up at 7am..Venue by 8am get started setting up and finishing detail work for opening at 10am. And then worked till about 10:45pm and to Hotel...Sat like a zombie watching Naked and Afraid reruns...Its so stupid and yet I can not stop watching....Then sleep so I can get to the Venue by 9am open 10am and work till about 7:45 ish I belive ...30 minutes or so after the end of the game (clean up, pass out display pieces to vips etc.) And then Hotel to chill and then check out 12pm and off to airport to fly out 4pm!!

And I loved every minute of it!!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

And pics! All the pics with people from the event and the balloon they got were on the second day...I forgot to get any pics of the first day balloons and the people who requested them

Hello Balloon Chat!!

Three days ago I came home. Eleven days ago I left...






 I had a road companion, a traveling rainbow family (Hippie) named Storm Clouds....I was on my way to Denver and would drop Storm Clouds off in Albuquerque.Nothing of not about SC just part of my trip.......

  In Denver, In the heart of downtown, over 900 delegates from 53 countries came together, along with vendors, sponsors, and staff. We all had come together for the 3rd Bi-annual World Balloon Convention. Excitement permeated me, fantasies of awards won and respect and friendship from my peers, kept me going the 14 pl;us hours it took to get near my destination.


  Downtown Denver I was soon to find, with its many one way streets and roads that merge and cross at diagonals, traffic lights that go turn first then straight (backwards to me). Is a bit confusing at first to someone used to the wide, straight and grid-like structure of his hometown. Not to mention the prices of parking.Tucson has loads of parking and rarely does it cost to do so.


  Ill spare you the parking woes, a ticket, and some up and downs late at night trying to keep my parking taken care of. 27 dollars a night for the Hotel.....all Im saying wtf......

  No matter I was here to help compete with the best balloon artists in the world. I was part of team USA and we had a plan! We had from Tuesday at 9am until Wendsday 12pm noon. To create our Tiger/Jungle/temple scene. Here are some of the first crew (i was taking pics) to arrive. We would have more balloon artist joining us as their flights came in.




  It was a long day of inflating, double stuffing balloons, building framing, and creating all the pieces we would need to complete our large piece.The large team build lead by Dennis Scott, and including some amazing balloon artist.Dylan Gileans, Jack Mattson, Jason Secoda, Dustin Queary, Ken Stillman, Michael Cryaton, Myself, Diane Cross, Irene and Krystal from Mississippi, Connie Ines-?? Big Don,and others Facebook photos on Dennis's page have names (spelled right) and more info!  As the day wore into evening 3 of us split off to do the Medium build. This team was lead by Jason S. and included myself and another balloon artist. We were going to create a Carnival Girl from Brazil. Which was insane as I was running back and forth helping in both builds. Anytime I had downtime on one I would go and help on the other. The medium build finished up at midnight and it was back to the large. This is all happening in the same room, with all the other teams from all over. And to be honest it was scary the precession and teamwork some of the teams showed (Japan, and Taiwan)


 Unfortunately I was testing at 7 am for my CBA (7am-12:30pm) and then after that had to start one of 4 individual contests I had entered....All that said I was running ragged and went to bed around 3:30am to get back up at 6:30.So I was unable to continue helping with the Large build.... The Testing was crazy 64 people including myself were testing. I thought I did well on the oral areas, and felt just lost when trying to build some of the things asked to build. I knew I got them eventually just struggled (I think due to lack of sleep,forgetting some balloons,and my hands had been going almost nonstop)....We would not find out till the next day if we had passed or not...I was more concerned about getting up and seeing our finished large sculpture, and preparing to build my Deliverable sculpture.


  As I walked into the competition area I was overwhelmed with the art and all the pieces around the room. Ours was in the back corner and as I approached I was impressed with what we had done. Though I knew there was no way we were taking home 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Though I was sure we would get an Achievement Award (based off points). These first three are from the USA team I was on. The rest are from around the Competition room.

 




















  Now I was off to do my first individual competition.I ended up scraping the idea I had sent in and just went with a free flow Yoda design. I was not happy with it at all. I turned in my sculpture after the 2 hours we had to work on it. Got a picture with it, had it entered and set up. I then got my head form for the hat competition which you could work on in your room, no time limits etc.! This is what I made.








 The competitions were done for the day. I was able to relax a bit. There was the WBC Rocks The World costume gala. With buffet, drinks, dancing and many crazy times. It was great hanging out with my hero's and jamming talking and having a great time.(I plan on editing in details/pics later about this) I was able to help Brian Asman a bit with the Huge Denver Bronco I learned alot and felt like I had made up a bit of learning I had not got missing his class


 Morning time rolls around and I jump up, I had missed my next competition I was signed up for...So I joined an amazing artist from Taiwan for a smoke (e-smoke here). My whole plan was ruined as I went back into the lobby....A bus had pulled up....It was the mother fucking Harlem Globetrotters (ive seen a total of 21 times in my life) Plans of taking classes for the day were ruined as I formulated an Idea of building a Harlem globetrotter!! Long story short I hung out with many HG's and had the time of my life...Offered free tickets and vip access for the game Sunday. I had to decline as I had signed up to twist balloons for the public....Bummer...





Myself, Jake Levy (announcer for HG) Scott Nichols(balloon artist lepord hair) Prafiseey (HG tattoo artist/recording artist) Dizzie Ramsey (MC for the HG)

 I was so excited!!!


 The convention was winding down, I entered my hat and then did the 12 minute balloon figure contest. and generally just played and hung out with my balloon, and HG hero's!!

 Awards night I was nervous and excited. I was called up along with all the other people who had Passed the CBA testing!! I earned my pin and card!! Awards were given out and to my surprise!! Our large piece got the Silver Achievement award!! And My Yoda got the Bronze Achievement !!











Out of time ...Ill leave it like this and come back and clean up/ answer questions/ something Hopefully as soon as I can!

Daniel "FuDD" Ravia C.B.A. !!!

  More pics

Arizona People at WBC




Aftermath of the Awards Gala

Takehiro Kai and I (in my opinion the best balloon artist in the world from Japan)
 
A neat peacock column

Part of one of the Medium Taiwan  team builds

Japanese teams large sculpture

A dragon I made while jamming

 My CBA certificate!

Hello!!

Had a wonderful anual banquet for our local S.A.M. ring. Our featured performer was running late (flight was delayed) but we had a great time with local magicians doing some improptu stage work to pass the time after a buffet dinner.

A bit late and, performing rushed, Pop Hayden was a great hit. Even though it was rushed a bit Pop was a huge hit performing the linking rings, color changing silk, and his version of the professers nightmare. Ive had the pleasure of seeing Pop work the Magic Castle a few times and I would never miss a performance of his if given the chance.

I am about to head out to his lecture I am so excited! Ill be bringing him with me for him.....

Hello Balloonchat!!!

I figured I might as well start a thread where I can add my photos. Something I can update and not worry about making too many threads.

ANY questions, ideas, thoughts, and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.


So here we go!

I have an inside and outside Yoda (same Yoda different Pictures I hope)

And A wooden boy ("Im a real boy") based of David Brenion's work

Hello!!

I had a few questions for you all and would love some feedback/answers!!

So I have taught some classes to beginners and have taught stuff in jam rooms, and at jams etc. But have never taught a class at a convention. Receiving a couple emails telling me about T&S 2014 they mention they are still accepting teaching applications. And so I started thinking....Could I do this? Am I good enough? Do I have original work that people want to learn? Would I be good?... and so on.

Here is where I need some feedback. I was wondering if anyone who has taught classes , might give some advice, tips, or any words of wisdom!! Also I was wondering if anyone was familiar with my work, and if they have or had any interest in learning something of mine?

If and its a big if I were able to teach this year ( Ill teach someday still unsure when haha) What things matter most to you when you attend a class or workshop or convention. Is it the Workers, Fancy stuff, Concepts and Ideas...etc.

Thank you for your time and I hope I can add to this and keep this discussion going for a bit!

FuDD

Hello Balloonchat!!

   So I wanted to say hello. I realized I never properly introduced myself. My name is Daniel "FuDD" Ravia, though most just call me FuDD. I am a father of two (14 yr old girl and 7yr old boy) Married to a wonderful woman who works here at the University Of Arizona as a Professor of Practice in Nutritional Sciences.  

  Other than my family and balloons I love and have a passion for video games (Starcraft in particular) Music, movies, art of any and all kinds, and magic.

 Taken from my website.

QuoteHello!!

My Name is Daniel "FuDD" Ravia. I first got interested in learning balloons back in May 2009 after watching Twisted: A Balloonamentary on Netflix. I learned of balloon jams (local groups of balloon junkies) and found a group in town. Tester's balloon Jesters lead a weekly jam in Tucson where I got the fundamentals and techniques, and friends  I still use,and see, to this day.


As my love and skills progressed and I immersed myself into this latex world. I learned of websites, other jams, classes, and conventions. I try to make every balloon event I can within reason ,I am constantly trying to learn and grow in this art form, in this industry.

Almost 4 years now...Since the thought crossed my mind, watching a randomly chosen film."I am going to be a balloon guy!"

I have found a passion, respect, and love for the medium I work in, And I hope I can share that with you!

  Balloons make me happy, they make others happy and with more work (hard work) I think I can do well in this amazing industry. The balloons are the easy part.. Its all the biz stuff that has been so much harder for me.  

  If anyone has any questions or needs anything from me ever please let me know. I would love to share and give back to a wonderful world full of such giving and amazing people.

Ill leave you with a couple of things Ive made the last couple days (that I managed to photo!)

Balloon Man FuDD

Hello !!

I wanted to share with you all a fairly simple Toy Story Alien!

Kit list:

1 Robins egg blue 260q
1 Lime green 260q
1 lime green 160q
1 purple violet 160q
1 white 260q (scrap)
1 purple violet 350q (puff of air)

I made some of the Peanuts Characters for a party today!!

Also a Graham Lee MotorBike!!

I Gave a goblin cannon ball a shot from the movie Labyrinth!! I had seen a sculpted piece at deviantart and wanted to have a go at it. This is the result!

Hi thought I would share some of the stuff I have made this last month.

Made a Hulk parody. Hope you all like it. I was rather pleased with the end result...Always want to change something though hahaha.

The family and I just got back from an extended stay at DisneyLand and California Adventures!! Was a blast we timed it not so right thinking that the weekdays would mellow out a bit after a busy weekend. When it was more crowded on the following Monday and then crazy packed on Tuesday we found out it was the 57th birthday OO

Myself my daughter and one of her friends wore balloon hats each day we were there my son and wife did not take part in the fun  T_T.

Here are a couple shots and a caricature I got done by a young artist in the park named Dave its supposed to be me as a zombie with my balloon hat on!! Ill fill in some more details and more pics later!!

Hello all!!

 Wanted to share my strong man pictures with you all!!

Hello and happy Easter. I just joined this forum and hope to become active here. I have fallen head over heels in love with balloons very seriously for the past 9-10 months now.Ill fill in some details in the future in the places to do so until then here are some of my balloons for today and from the last week or so.