September 17 - The Flash

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."

~ Plato

Thinking back this time to my first attempt at one of Ken Stillman's superheroes.

This was another first as well - the first time I tried editing my image into a new background.  I only post one image to Instagram, so I'd started putting a little extra attention into making that one count. 

The pig here is actually tied in under the arm, with the whole thing suspended by fishing line.  The blur effect needs some work, it should start strong and fade - but for a first image I'm pretty pleased.

Thinkback to original post: June 29, 2016.

December 13 - Frosty

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day
There must have been some magic in that
old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
he began to dance around

~ Frosty The Snowman

This Frosty the Snowman design is from Ken Stillman's website balloonclick.com.  Ken has a knack for creation, this is one that is not too difficult from his website and it is a nice tabletop size to it.  I actually didn't take any pictures of the one I created back when I was a member of the website, but I had taken careful notes - so the first I made was strictly from those - it's the snowman with the buttons.  I then was able to find a picture of Ken's so I built one a little more to proportion.

The design is fairly straightforward, and patterned after the animated Frosty the Snowman - so it's humanoid rather than a traditional snowman.  As much as I enjoy the yearly cartoon - I have always found it odd if not a bit disturbing that the first words he spoke after coming to life is to wish himself "Happy Birthday".

I sh-sh-sh-should have brought a heavier j-j-j-jacket.

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Other posts with Ken's designs:


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October 12 - Scarecrow

I could wile away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain

~ The Wizard of Oz If I Only Had A Brain

This design originated at BalloonClick.com with the balloon master himself, Ken Stillman.

Though I am not currently a member, I did build this last year when I was able to recreate it from some pictures. I see Ken Stillman as one of the forerunners in the twisted balloon decor world; super generous, fantastically creative and extremely personable - he's like your favorite uncle. If your uncle was an incredible artist.

The gym I have been going to for the past month has a child care center with a number of inflatable Halloween things set up for the holiday and every time I walked by it I would tell myself I need to build them something. As with most random acts of balloon art, it's very tough to just drop and go without drawing attention. So the next day I was back for a miniaturized one for the front desk.

I really like how the mini scarecrow worked out, I was able to get a nicely rounded pumpkin head and the added patches really add to the effect. While I waited for my trainer to arrive, I was enjoying child reactions, but feeling slightly guilty at the added work I gave the parents to pull them away from the distraction. Ok not really, I was loving it.

This job isn't for everyone, but hay, it's in my jeans!	... and I'm out standing in my field!
I was going to suggest we go eat, but he's already stuffed.

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June 3 - Mr. Incredible & Frozone

"Super-ladies, they're always trying to tell you their secret identity. Think it'll strengthen the relationship or something like that. I said, Girl, I don't want to know about your mild-mannered alter ego, or anything like that. I mean, you tell me you're a super-mega-ultra-lightning-babe, that's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good."
~ Frozone being interviewed

Mr. Incredible is the last design taught on Ken Stillman's SuperHeroes Team 1 DVD.

I went a little bit off grid on this one, I thought to try and give him a fat belly, but then the gigantic pectoral muscles made the chest muscles a little big and I struggled to get his head and everything situated nicely.  In the end he ended up with a thick bodybuilder neck.  I think I will keep the pecs and add a little mini six pack on the next superhero build.

This is my backup super suit.

Frozone was a fun character to build as well, this form style worked perfect. Again you can see how Ken's basic form can adapt to almost any superhero, a monocle and a change in shoulders is all it took for Frozone.   This DVD was a blast to work from, Ken is a fantastic instructor.   I want to get a list of superheroes and mentally plan how I'd do each one.

Skating to "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" ... Lucius Best
Your hands are incredibly soft!

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Other posts with Ken's designs:


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July 2 - The Tick

You know, Arthur, it's really been quite a day. On the outside, oh, sure, we were pursued by Swiss Industrial Spies, trapped in the belly of a whale. But what really pursued us? Where were we really trapped? C'mon, Arthur. Get meta with me. What pursued us were our own obsessions. I'm good, you're evil. I'm a superhero, you're a sidekick. I'm a woman, you're a man. What does it all mean? Nothing. And where were we all trapped? I'll tell you where, Arthur. In the belly of Love - Love, Chum, Love.
~ The Tick

Da Dweeee Da da da dwEEE dow!

The Tick is the fourth superhero from Ken Stillman's SuperHeroes Team 1 DVD.  The hero form is not too different from the others with the exception of the antennae.  It's hard to imagine a DVD this awesome is over 10 years old, but this design does show it somewhat in that Ken has to make due with using rounds instead of hearts to get the colors he wants.

I love the Tick.  Simple-minded innocence in the pursuit of justice and nigh indestructible.  Since I didn't collect the comic, I only read those that I came across - I mainly watched the cartoon and tv shows.  It sounds like a worthy task, to go back and read all the comics in continuity order.

I wanted to try my hand at building something new using Ken's technique, and the obvious choice was Tick's trusty yet pudgy sidekick Arthur.  There are a couple things I'd change, but for a first try I'm really really pleased.

Well chum?  Are you ready to pound two fisted justice into the hearts of evildoers?	I'm not just a pudgy sidekick, I also pay the rent on my ap.. on our secret headquarters.
I hope Tick realizes he can use the door...
Justice makes it's own doors, chum! Spooooooon!

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Other posts with Ken's designs:


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July 1 - Green Lantern

In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!

~ The Green Lantern Oath

Green Lantern is the next superhero on the Ken Stillman DVD SuperHeroes Team 1.

I was only ever familiar with "basic" Green Lantern as Hal Jordan.  Just a man with a magic ring that could warp reality within some limitations and must be charged every 24 hours by a lantern. I stopped paying attention at the beginning of the Green Lantern Corps, the idea of a infinite universe full of alien superheroes kind of confounded established comic book norms, how can you have an infinity multiverse of infinite universes? Mind=blown.

Green Lantern, more specifically the Green Lantern Corps are some of my youngest son's favorite "superheroes". But having the rainbow assortment of Lanterns bewilders me much the same way rainbow Daleks do.

True story. Green Lantern once used his ring to create a mind controlling mist that affected a villains brain. Rolled like a 98 ... it was crazy. #roxalot

Jord of the Ring	"Greeeeeeen Lanterns is the place to be. Space travelin' is the life for me."
"You took his ring!??" "I'm just going to try something." "You took his ring!??" "I'm just going to try something." "!??" "Click him now!!" "!??" "Click him now!!" ... where am I?

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June 30 - Captain America

Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world — "No, you move."

~ Captain America Amazing Spider-Man #537

Ken Stillman demonstrates how to build Captain America in his SuperHeroes Team 1 DVD.

This is the second design on the DVD - I like the boots much better on this than on Flash.  This is such an iconic figure, he would be fine as is - but I thought it would look good with a shield.  I resisted the temptation to build another Pocket Chopper for him to ride ...

Captain America is an interesting character.  I watched a brilliant video recently detailing his greatest flaw - a superhero should reluctantly fight because they have to, but Cap is defined by fighting. When Scarlett Witch showed the Avengers each of their greatest fears - Hulk was hulking out on his friends, Thor witnessed the apocalypse, Black Widow freaked out about her terrible past, Iron Man stood broken on a pile of bodies as the aliens descend.  Steve's greatest fear -- the war is over.   Link for full video:  Captain America's Biggest Flaw.

Watch that potty mouth!	A low key battle ...
Upgrade - I'm rolling need. This replaces my +5 buckler with shock resist.

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Other posts with Ken's designs:


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June 29 - The Flash

My name is Barry Allen. And I am the fastest man alive. When I was a child I saw my mother killed by something impossible. My father went to prison for her murder. Then an accident made me the impossible. To the outside world I am an ordinary forensic scientist, but secretly I use my speed to fight crime and find others like me. And one day, I'll find who killed my mother and get justice for my father. I am the Flash.

~ The Flash Season 1 Intro

Ken Stillman is a balloon industry superhero and master of decorative balloons, he has toured the world giving classes on his techniques - I was lucky enough to attend one where he showed us how to build a realistic looking 6' tall Tinker Bell.  (Though I suppose 6" would be realistic.)  He hosts a website, BalloonClick.com, updated with new creations monthly and stuffed full of his designs, ranging from a small simple centerpiece to gigantic involved sculptures.  Talk with him for a minute and you'll add him to your list of the nicest people you know.

This design is from his SuperHeroes Team 1 DVD project.  Having now watched it, I can say it's a "must have".  This is a great form base with which to build any muscular person, and each of the other designs on the disc expand and enhance this base with details geared to the specific superhero.  I really like how the head structure creates a super jaw look, but I'm not taken with the hands at all and might have to make something more than these oven mitt things on future builds.  I also like keeping the eyes pure white when they are in a mask.

I love watching the Flash TV show with my youngest son - he's such a powerful superhero, he can run so fast that he could travel back in time.  Despite the paradox he creates repeatedly by doing so (ugh, time travel storylines), this always made me wonder - how could he possibly see if he were travelling faster than light?  I get that his body moves that fast and that his eyes might react that fast, but the light rays feeding this information are restricted to the physical properties of the universe and are at a constant speed.  His vision should be getting terrible the faster he goes ... but a better question is if he can run that fast, why does he always let a super-criminal get in one good shot?

I have a really hard time taking pictures of things that are bigger than my photo area, I need a back-up area for these bigger things.

Thanks Ken!

Flash -  AAaaaaaaa!  He saved every one of us!  

I'm the fastest pig alive!