For the past 13 years, I've twisted balloons. It was never something I thought I'd be good at, but through a lot of work, imagination, and dedication it has become my superpower and now I can't get enough of it! From balloon dogs to balloon dresses, if you can think of it there is a strong possibility that I have made a balloon version of it.
Ever since I read my first comic books I've loved their bright and bold style of art. Punchy and colorful graphics that excite and bring you into worlds where incredible feats are completely possible. It is an art form that lends itself perfectly to my medium of balloons.
Over the last few months, I have been recreating classic comic book covers whenever I had time. These balloon sculptures are larger than life (fitting in a 10 foot by 10-foot space) and take many days to make. I even made had to make one in two sections (Superman vs Muhammed Ali) to allow me to visit New York in the middle of making it.
After I finished the main sculpture I use photoshop to add in the lettering (which are un-inflated balloons with wire inside). I'm just learning the program, so forgive any mistakes. I tried to keep digital manipulation to a minimum, so what you are seeing is mainly just latex and air (renewable resources). The balloons I use are all biodegradable and responsibly disposed of, so these sculptures were also super environmentally friendly.
The great thing about these is that although the balloons are now all popped, the images and memory of them last forever. My plan is to make them into prints and stage an art exhibition as I have done with previous passion projects.
I hope you enjoy my 'Balloon Heroes' project, if so please share it. Also if you have a favorite iconic comic book why not comment below? Maybe I will turn it into a huge balloon sculpture just like I did with these ones!
More info: flashballoons.com
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Batman: The Killing Joke
Superman Vs Muhammed Ali
I did! I will admit though that due to space and time constraints I couldn't really caricature the audience too much.
Load More Replies...Thanks Georgia! I'm so glad you noticed. :)
Load More Replies...This is AMAZING!! Each audience member has different features, i'm super impressed
Hey, thanks so much! They were ever so hard to make (so many eyeballs)! Glad you liked them.
Load More Replies...Thanks Oscar, this piece was A LOT of work!
Load More Replies...Thanks so much! That's nice of you to say. :)
Load More Replies...Forever! It took so long that I had to make it in sections and piece them together post production. I've tried to avoid that with the others, but it was the only way I could do justice to the original. :)
Load More Replies...The original cover is amazing. It was a wraparound and featured celebrities of the day. You should check it out, it rocks!
Load More Replies...You never stop amazing me. That's a shocking piece of real balloon art. I need to find my socks back because you blew me out of them... Again..
Amazing Spider-man, Vol. 1, #2
Wonder Woman Issue 72
The Fantastic 4 Issue 1
Some people have asked to see the covers these are based on so I compiled this cheat sheet! I hope you like it. Comic-cove...81f285.jpg
Hey thanks so much! Each balloon is made freestyle so I guess the magic bit really is there :D
Load More Replies...How many balloons did you accidentally popped in the process?! I wouldn't have the patience to even try. Congratulations, these are wonderful.
Believe me there were a few. I think Superman and Ali's heads each took 3 or 4 drafts before I was happy. The worst is when you notice a vital balloon has popped and it was holding the other ones in place. Crazy!
Load More Replies...Lol! Thanks, it is a title I shall wear with pride!
Load More Replies...Just WOW! You continue to amaze me! I bow to you, my artistic, imaginative, creative, talented friend!
I am just in awe... I feel sorry for your poor lungs! I can barely blow up a single balloon, never mind hundreds! I would cry when they popped - they are just so beautiful. Great work, well done!
Aw thanks Heather, that's ever so kind of you. I try and be zen about balloons popping, but sometimes it can drive you crazy. Luckily I use a pump so don't have to worry too much about inflation. :)
Load More Replies...Thanks Alberto, that's very kind of you. :)
Load More Replies...Thanks! They varied as they all had to fit in a 10x 10 basement space. Superman and Muhammed Ali were as tall as the room, so I would say about 9ft as was Wonder Woman. Fantastic Four was about 4 feet tall and Spiderman was 3/4 scale so he would have been about 4 ft tall when he was standing up. The Joker was a bust, otherwise he would have been 10 ft because of the head's scale.
Load More Replies...Awww thanks so much! That's ever so kind of you :)
Load More Replies...This is incredibly done mate. Once I just practicing aaaandd it was started popping
Thanks so much! They still pop on me to be fair. :)
Load More Replies...Beyond Awesome. So glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person.
Thanks Wendy, the feeling is mutual
Load More Replies...Aw that's ever so kind of you! Thanks so much
Load More Replies...Great job! You are the King of balloons and inspire me every time. Hope to meet you one day.
these are all amazing and I know these are hard to make but the hell is going on with Wonder Woman's boob's tho? otherwise totally mathmatical!
Thanks so much! Alright I'll admit it, making balloon women is a real challenge. Not just the anatomy, but the faces too. This was the one balloon that was made on a strict deadline as it was for my local comic store, otherwise I'd probably still be working on her lol!
Load More Replies...Hi Sylvia. Actually not one bit of plastic involved in the project (apart from the laptop and camera used on the images). The balloons are made from latex, which is the harvested sap of a tree. This is a renewable resource. Latex is also biodegradable and compostable. It degrades at abput the same rate as an oak leaf. The balloons were responsibly disposed of after the project.
Load More Replies...Some people have asked to see the covers these are based on so I compiled this cheat sheet! I hope you like it. Comic-cove...81f285.jpg
Hey thanks so much! Each balloon is made freestyle so I guess the magic bit really is there :D
Load More Replies...How many balloons did you accidentally popped in the process?! I wouldn't have the patience to even try. Congratulations, these are wonderful.
Believe me there were a few. I think Superman and Ali's heads each took 3 or 4 drafts before I was happy. The worst is when you notice a vital balloon has popped and it was holding the other ones in place. Crazy!
Load More Replies...Lol! Thanks, it is a title I shall wear with pride!
Load More Replies...Just WOW! You continue to amaze me! I bow to you, my artistic, imaginative, creative, talented friend!
I am just in awe... I feel sorry for your poor lungs! I can barely blow up a single balloon, never mind hundreds! I would cry when they popped - they are just so beautiful. Great work, well done!
Aw thanks Heather, that's ever so kind of you. I try and be zen about balloons popping, but sometimes it can drive you crazy. Luckily I use a pump so don't have to worry too much about inflation. :)
Load More Replies...Thanks Alberto, that's very kind of you. :)
Load More Replies...Thanks! They varied as they all had to fit in a 10x 10 basement space. Superman and Muhammed Ali were as tall as the room, so I would say about 9ft as was Wonder Woman. Fantastic Four was about 4 feet tall and Spiderman was 3/4 scale so he would have been about 4 ft tall when he was standing up. The Joker was a bust, otherwise he would have been 10 ft because of the head's scale.
Load More Replies...Awww thanks so much! That's ever so kind of you :)
Load More Replies...This is incredibly done mate. Once I just practicing aaaandd it was started popping
Thanks so much! They still pop on me to be fair. :)
Load More Replies...Beyond Awesome. So glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person.
Thanks Wendy, the feeling is mutual
Load More Replies...Aw that's ever so kind of you! Thanks so much
Load More Replies...Great job! You are the King of balloons and inspire me every time. Hope to meet you one day.
these are all amazing and I know these are hard to make but the hell is going on with Wonder Woman's boob's tho? otherwise totally mathmatical!
Thanks so much! Alright I'll admit it, making balloon women is a real challenge. Not just the anatomy, but the faces too. This was the one balloon that was made on a strict deadline as it was for my local comic store, otherwise I'd probably still be working on her lol!
Load More Replies...Hi Sylvia. Actually not one bit of plastic involved in the project (apart from the laptop and camera used on the images). The balloons are made from latex, which is the harvested sap of a tree. This is a renewable resource. Latex is also biodegradable and compostable. It degrades at abput the same rate as an oak leaf. The balloons were responsibly disposed of after the project.
Load More Replies...