I just came across this news clip about my celebrity balloon art
lineup:
Shaq-in-the-Box
A balloon version of Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is going down well in the Big Apple as five effigies have been dispatched there already. Miami Balloon artist Irina Patterson rose to a challenge presented by one New Yorker to create a replica of the basketball player and did such a good job that other residents requested figures. It takes 50 balloons to make a Shaq, which retails at $270 plus shipping.
Shaq-in-the-Box
A balloon version of Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is going down well in the Big Apple as five effigies have been dispatched there already. Miami Balloon artist Irina Patterson rose to a challenge presented by one New Yorker to create a replica of the basketball player and did such a good job that other residents requested figures. It takes 50 balloons to make a Shaq, which retails at $270 plus shipping.
Ms. Patterson said another of her creations, Paris Hilton, was,
perhaps not surprisingly, smaller and cheaper. "It took about 25 balloons to
make her," she said. "She cost much less, about $225." 
Ms. Hilton formed part of Ms.Patterson's pop-culture line - so-called because
the figures last for 10 days before popping, mirroring the shelf-life of a
socialite. Maria Sharapova, complete with Oscar de la Renta frock and Jimmy Choo
shoes, and Jay Leno complete her celebrity lineup to date. (Miami Today,
November 2005) Question? Comments? Please, e-mail me
at goahead_33167@yahoo.com