Jimmie Jr
In 1998 Jimmie Jr. helped his father create Adventure Balloons.
“It began as a fun hobby making little balloon animals and bringing smiles to kids faces. I grew into evenings of competitions between my dad, brothers and I on who could make the biggest, most elaborate and realistic balloon sculptures. Pretty soon we were getting requests to perform at birthday parties and local community events. My dad saw the business potential and said to me, ‘this is something we love to do, and are pretty good at it, might as well make a business of it.’ Now, over ten years later, I can’t think of a better job.”
Jimmie participated in the International Balloon Art Convention and won awards for her performance in the Stage Show competition as well as the Ten Minute Sculpture competition. Jimmie was asked to participate in the All-Star Review in New York.
In the summer of 2004 Jimmie moved to Hawaii to attend the School of Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University bringing Adventure Balloons with him. Although being a full-time student kept him busy, Jimmie still found time to share his talent with families all around the island.
“I think I’ve entertained for almost every kind of family event: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holiday parties, I’ve even preformed at a wake.
Jimmie Jr. has now graduated from school and works as an ER Nurse at HMC West and had this to say,
“As a nurse I have learned that health is not merely the absence of illness, but a state of physical, mental and social well-being. As a balloon artist I feel that I have been given a gift of being able to bring a smile and happiness to both the young and old, bringing health to ones spirit is the most rewarding of all.”
Ivan Whitworth
Ivan has been entertaining since he was young. He has charmed audiences in Nepal, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, as well as the United States. As the son of the innovative entertainer, Jimmie Sr., entertainment has always been a part of his life.
“Unlike some other types of entertainers, balloon art brings the focus to the audience. You can be good at balloons, magic, singing or dancing, but without the ability to involve the crowd, you won’t be a good entertainer.”
Ivan won the ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award in 2002 at the annual International Balloon Arts Convention held in Chicago.
He also placed for the second year in a row at the International Balloon Busking competition. In addition to his award at the International Balloon Artists Convention, Ivan participated in the All Star Review in New York.
Ivan earned his Certified Balloon Artist certification in 2001.
He has entertained at the San Jose Sharks games, San Jose Earthquake Soccer team and the Silicon Valley Football Classics.
Chris Whitworth
Chris is a talented artist who comes with a smile and a fun personality. He boasts to be the fastest balloon twister in the family. In the summer of 2005, Chris joined Jimmie Jr. in Hawaii. His talent, personality, and love for the job has been a major factor in making Adventure Balloons Hawaii such a success.
Chris loves to surf and is in the water as much as possible. During the week he keeps busy as a student at U.H. On the weekends he can be found creating amazing balloon creations and bringing smiles to children and families all around the island.
Elaina Whitworth
As the first female addition to the Adventure Balloons team, Elaina began creating balloons at the age of thirteen. She specializes in “Princess Parties” and has her own fan club of little girls who love her bubbly personality as well as the spectacular characters she creates.
“I’ve always had a love for art, for me balloons are a form of creative expression.”
Elaina also expresses her love for art though other mediums such as acrylic, oil and mixed media painting. Raised in a family of artist the balloon gene was in her blood.
“Growing up in a family of balloon artists, I used be self-conscious that my dad was the ‘Balloon Guy’. I would duck my head as my dad would come to pick me up from school in the ‘Adventure Balloons’ van; however, as I got older I discovered for myself the artistic aspect within balloon twisting and became obsessed. I used to have dreams of balloons and how to make them Bigger and Better…. I am better now (LOL)… however, I still enjoy discovering new, brilliant, and inventive ways of approaching this art of balloon twisting.”
Amber Whitworth
Amber officially became the newest member of the Whitworth family in February ’09 when she and Jimmie Jr. married atop a glacier in Whistler British Columbia. Originally from Georgia, Amber joined the Adventure Balloon Hawaii team in the summer of 2005 and her artistic talents were immediately put use.
“As I child I always love art: drawing, painting, as well as creating collages and scrapbooking. When I was given the opportunity to do what I loved for ‘work’….. I never looked back.”
Amber is the most “Classically” trained member of the crew as she has taken many art classes using various art media. Her background and training has helped her excel as both an Airbrush Tattoo and Balloon artist.
Contrary to what many say about artists, Amber is very organized as well. She runs the office side of Adventure Balloons Hawaii: answering phone calls, returning emails, and coordinating all of the event schedules. We couldn’t do it without her.
Angel (A.K.A. Junior Bustamante)
Angel is the local boy cousin of the Whitworth’s. Born and raised in the Islands, Angel has been entertaining families since 1995. Formerly known as ‘Angel da Clown’ he has performed as a MC, DJ, Karaoke Host, Magician, and Clown. He joined the Adventure Balloon team in the spring of 2005 and has been a big part of the success and growth of Adventure Balloons Hawaii. Regardless of his amazing talents as a Balloon Artist, by far the most comments and feedback we receive from our clients are about his friendly, interactive and cheerful personality.
“It’s all about spreading the spirit of Aloha! I feel blessed that I am able to share Aloha by bringing smiles to keikis and adults with my balloon creations.”
Angel takes balloon twisting to a whole new level with his original creations as well as his adaptation of old sculptures with a cool island style twist.
