The first time I read about April was on Uncustomary, where she used her ‘balloon graffiti’ to colour the streets. I loved her art, and I just knew you would love her too. This lady is super talented. She does balloon twisting, fire dancing, face painting, stilt walking and runs her own business, ‘April’s twisted entertainment’, using her mad skills. What I find especially inspiring about April, is that I learned that her cheerful balloon graffiti actually came into existence because of a darker period in her life. I think she is incredibly brave for turning something sad into something beautiful. And I admire her for sharing her story with us today. For this post, she went out to create a balloon garden and the installation just blew me away for being over-the-top-awesome! Give it up for April…!
Have you ever dreamed walking down the street and everywhere you turn is a colorful surprise? Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if we stopped living by “the norm” when it comes to everyday life? I have wondered all these questions and so many more!
I have always been a dreamer ever since I can remember. If I could choose my world it would be more like Alice in Wonderland! I seem to see things that not everybody can see, faces in trees, beauty in an old shoe; I can even picture how things could be, for example an old house re- designed, an out dated kitchen changed to new. I thought I should take this ability to the streets of Baltimore.
About 5 years ago my husband Sean and I quit our “professional” jobs and I became an entertainer (balloon art, face painting, fire dancing ex) and he became an online poker player. Most people thought we were nuts to leave our “good” jobs; you see I was an Interior Designer and Sean was an Engineer. When I look back on it though it was one of the best decisions we ever made.
When we quit our jobs we were both done with the “real” world, hoping there was something else out there we decided to take a chance. We know we are very lucky to have a family that supports us, although they weren’t too keen on the idea of us quitting our “good” jobs they were there for us if things didn’t work out. We realize not everyone has this option and we are very grateful to have had the experience.
I am an artist at heart and have found balloons to be a great outlet of my creativity. I see the world as my canvas and my balloons as my paint brush. I can add color and a smile anywhere I go with my balloons! What a blessing it is to know that what I do for a living is to bring smiles to the faces I come in contact with!
I got into “balloon graffiti” or “balloon bombing” because of a sad time in my life actually. I recently lost my brother to suicide and was in a very dark place. I needed something positive to focus on so I took my balloon paint brush to the streets of Baltimore. It made me smile again as I watched people walk by and smile at the simple balloon creations I had made. I now do this in remembrance of my brother who needed that smile when this world had let him down.
If you are in a dark place, you can sit in the dark, or you can find your inner light and discover powerful pieces of yourself you never knew existed. Don’t make the mistake of waiting on someone or something to come along and make you happy, true happiness comes from within. Although I am still morning the loss of my brother I can do something special in my brother’s name to make others smile and turn a bad situation into something good. When all you can see is darkness, sometimes you have to create your own light.
Be sure to have a look at April’s colourful business’s Facebook page to see more of her wonderful creations. Or, if you live in the Baltimore area, you can hire her to perform her amazing talents live.
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9 Comments
Niken
March 20, 2014 at 15:59
this is so cool!!!!
I’d love to do projects like this. also, you and you’re husband are so brave. how do you guys over come the transition from that ‘professional’ job to your choice of jobs? was it easier/harder than you guys thought it would be?
April
March 24, 2014 at 17:12
Niken,
Thanks for the comment! It wasn’t hard at all considering we were ready for something new. The only hard thing was to get use to the money aspect. When you rely on your own means of making money in comes in waves so you have to get use to having money sometimes and then being completely broke. Other than that it was so worth it! Thanks for your question! My hope is that everyone can follow their dreams like we were so blessed to be able to do :)
Kim
March 20, 2014 at 16:40
Wauw, that’s amazing!
Carly
March 20, 2014 at 18:25
It’s really inspiring to hear of people who quit their “real” jobs to chase after other dreams. :) And I do think it’s incredibly brave to transform a tragedy into something so grand! I saw a few of April’s shenanigans on Uncustomary Art before and fell in love, but this balloon bombing takes the cake. ^-^
magicaldaydream
March 21, 2014 at 13:33
I agree! I think she has outdone herself ;) And yes, stories like these are really inspiring :)
Uncustomary Art
March 20, 2014 at 19:10
April is an amazing human being, and I’m so incredibly glad she’s in my life. She’s not just the most skilled balloon twister I’ve ever met, she’s supportive and caring, and throws the best parties I’ve ever been to. How many people do you know with a ball pit in their basement? Send her all the love you can muster.
magicaldaydream
March 21, 2014 at 13:35
Yes she seems amazing indeed, you are lucky to have act other so close! If you would live closer you could come to me+my boyfriend’s parties too. They are quite awesome too if I may say so (we hired a jumping castle for new year’s haha) Ball pit basement sounds like the best!
Kim
March 21, 2014 at 01:46
this is such a cool story! thanks for sharing :)
I think you are right it’s so awesome to know that happy, amazing things can come out of darker times, very inspiring :)
http://floatingthrufields.blogspot.com/
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March 31, 2014 at 04:16
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