LLL085 Phileas Flash: Balloon Whisperer #podcast

Phileas lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Phileas lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Phileas Flash gets deep in this fantastic conversation. In the aftermath of creating a five-story balloon sculpture, I hunker down with Phileas Flash and he tells me how we should make the world a better place. We discuss how balloons are like life and life is like a tapestry (or a river!) Phileas encourages everyone to believe in ourselves, follow our dreams and support people in their dreams. He tells me how we went from being an actor, to Ringmaster to magician and balloon artist, and became a world traveler (From England, Phileas has lived in a tent in France, performed in Egypt and the Dominican Republic, and he now lives in Canada with the love of his life!) Phileas tells us to Pass it forward. And he answers 10 questions.

Phileas Flash

Phileas Flash (aka Rupert Appleyard) is a British entertainer who has been creating large scale balloon sculptures internationally for the last ten years. Largely self taught, his distinctive style and freestyle methods have pushed his creations to the forefront of balloon art, with images of his signature pieces being seen and shared all over the world. He loves performing and the combination of art and entertainment puts his work in hot demand both in Canada (where he now lives with his wife and two dogs) and internationally. In 2014 he released his first instructional DVD ‘The face of things to come’ which taught a pattern for building his signature balloon face. 2014 is bringing him all sorts of exciting opportunities, he was recently featured in Balloon Magic Magazine as a spotlight artist, has been featured for the third time by internet sensation George Takei and is at the forefront of the Random Acts of Balloon Artistry movement (dedicated to spreading happiness through balloon art).

The 411: Phileas Flash

LLL052 Robbie Furman: Balloon Missionary @twisticologist

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Here is the sixth 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.

Robbie tells Lanna about his missionary work, how he loves to help people, and his simple creative process. Robbie and Lanna geek out about balloons, while Robbie explains how he got started twisting. Robbie makes Lanna cry. And he anwers 10 questions.

Robbie Furman

Originally from Parsippany, New Jersey Robbie Furman, CBA has been working with balloons for over 20 years. His original designs and techniques have become the mainstay of many balloon decorators and artists the world over.

As a small boy, Robbie saw his first twisted balloon at a birthday party and told his mother he wanted to make balloons when he grew up. His mother quickly replied…”Yes Dear, I’ll remind you…now go play” Well, his mother forgot to remind him, but years later, while working in a used book store, Robbie found a copy of Balloon Magic, by Marvin Hardy- and as they say, the rest is history.

With this new love and knowledge of balloons, Robbie started volunteering at various non-profit events and, after several years, had a calling to become a full-time volunteer. He dedicated a year and half of his life to missionary work in San Diego and also served in the Domestic Peace Corps. During that time, he used his balloons to put smiles on many peoples’ faces. As a result of these experiences, he had a chance to try new things with his balloons and venture into the Deco-twisting world full-time.

Robbie is currently based in the Northern New Jersey area, where his unique style has allowed him to decorate for thousands of events over the years. His balloons have been seen on ABC’s All My Children, One Life to Live, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ugly Betty and Good Morning America.

Over the past several years, Robbie has been teaching his Deco-Twisting style to thousands of students around the world. Most recently Robbie has traveled to Israel, France, Italy, Colombia, Japan, and England.

Robbie’s passion and desire is to share his balloon knowledge and enthusiasm with those around the world. Recently, Robbie was awarded the Golden Light Award, given in honor of the late Linda Bruce.

The 411: Robbie Furman