LLL084 Kelly Cheatle: More Dogs! #podcast

Kelly Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Kelly Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

In the aftermath of building a 5-story balloon Jack and His Beanstalk at Balloon Manor 2014, I sit down with Airigami’s artistic director, Kelly Cheatle. We talk about the artistic proccess, and how Kelly says we can make the world a better place. Hint: Don’t be a Jerk! Kelly talks about how she started making incredible, large-scale balloon sculptures, and encourages us all to open a door for someone, literally or figuratively. And she answers 10 questions.

Kelly Cheatle

Artist Kelly Cheatle has been fascinated with micro art since the age of 10, when she read an article about scientists etching miniature angels on the head of a pin. Since then, she’s created miniature, wheel-thrown teapots and highly-detailed crochet sculptures – both small enough to sit on a penny.

Kelly received her Design degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a minor in Illustration and a major interest in every studio elective she could find. Her diverse knowledge of traditional materials and image-making techniques has given her an appreciation for texture and dimensionality, even in digital formats.

ln 2001, she founded Greener Pastures Design & Illustration, and her graphic work appears nationally. When given an opportunity to work with balloons during Balloon Manor 2006, she was excited about a new medium for creating artwork. Now, as a partner in Airigami, her design sense and illustration background have helped to take it in new directions, including designing inflated fashions that have appeared on runways in Rochester, NYC and Las Vegas.

The 411: Kelly Cheatle

LLL050 Danny Schlesinger: School for Fools @circoridiculoso

Danny Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Danny Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Danny Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Here is the fourth part of a six-part series featuring those special people who make art and entertainment out of folding air into latex balloons. Our conversations centered on making a living doing art, how they started in the biz and their creative processes. Laypeople and twisters alike will enjoy these fantastic conversations.

Danny and Lanna talk about performing with balloons, circus skills and giving feedback. Danny admits he’s an idiot. Lanna asks Danny what he thinks of the United States and remarks that he is her first foreigner on the show. Danny talks about working with Avner the Excentric at the Celebration Barn Theater and describes his creative process. And he answers 10 questions.

The 411: Danny Schlesinger

Danny Schlesinger is an award winning performer who works in theatre, circus, cabaret, tv and film. He has worked with (amoung many) The Royal Opera, The Natural Theatre Company, Circus Sensible, Dynamic New Animations and in 2005 made his West End debut in “Burlesque!” at the Arts Theatre, London. He has performed at the London International Mime Festival and at theatres, corporate events and variety shows. Danny’s film and TV credits include Happiness (BBC2), Jack Dee’s Sunday Service (CH4) and Danny was Homer Simpson. Danny was also the lead in “Sniffer” – a Norwegian short film which has won many awards including the best short film at Cannes 2006.

Danny produces his own solo balloon shows for theatres and events and has won awards for doing this!

The 411: Danny Schlesinger

LLL047 Tawney Bubbles Is Delightful @TawneyBubbles

Tawney lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

I am excited to present the first part of a six-part series featuring those special people who make art and entertainment out of folding air into latex balloons. Our conversations centered on making a living doing art, how they started in the biz and their creative processes. Laypeople and twisters alike will enjoy these fantastic conversations.

Tawney lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Tawney lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Tawney and Lanna talk about balloon twisting, performance and living the artist’s life. They tease each other about adult stuff and dish on balloon dresses. Tawney explains how she started in the biz. And she answers 10 questions.

Tawney Bubbles

So who is Tawney Bubbles? She’s the luckiest girl in the whole wide world, that’s who. At nearly 18, an eager faced little high school graduate set out for higher education. Turns out, college is really expensive. Reluctantly, she had to get a job. In a move that was part joke, and part rebellion, she became a clown (her mom is very proud).

Four years, well maybe five years, okay five and a half years later, she had her degree. She contemplated a real job, but after careful reflection, eventually said, “$!@#% that!” She’s been playing with balloons ever since.

The 411: Tawney Bubbles

LLL018 Mike Harris: Best of the Clowns

Mike Harris

Mike HarrisMike and Lanna talk about Toastmasters, Public Speaking and a good story. Lanna recruits Mike to a balloon twisting group on Facebook, while Mike gives Lanna public speaking advice. Mike professes his love for the Red Sox. And he answers 10 questions.

Mike Harris

Mike Harris is a humorist, a storyteller and an entertainer who has been performing up and down the east coast of the U.S. and Canada for over a decade. He has been collecting anecdotes all his life and he has been telling his true-to-life stories to anyone who will listen. As Mike says, “I don’t tell jokes. I just tell people what happens and they laugh at me.”

He is a member of Toastmasters International and he has twice been honored with Toastmasters’ highest recognition for humorous speakers: being invited to speak at their Regional Humorous Showcase in Baltimore in 2002 and Washington DC in 2004. In January of 2012, Mike was honored with Toastmasters’ highest designation when he was named “Distinguished Toastmaster.”

Mike also is a regular performer with the Maine Organization Of Storytelling Enthusiasts (aka MOOSE), and is a featured teller in the Storytelling Showcase at the 2012 Western Maine Storytelling Festival.

In real life, Mike makes his living as a trainer of Public Speaking skills.

The 411: Mike Harris