If you ask the Internet?
Balloon modelling or balloon twisting is the shaping of special modelling balloons into various shapes, often a balloon animal.
People who create balloon animals and other twisted balloon sculptures are called twisters, balloon benders, and balloon artists.
Two primary design styles are "single balloon modelling", which restricts itself to the use of one balloon per model, and "multiple balloon modelling", which uses more than one balloon.
Each style has its own set of challenges and skills, and most twisters practise both styles.
Depending on the needs of the moment, they might easily move between the one-balloon or multiple approaches, or they might even incorporate additional techniques such as "weaving" and "stuffing".
Modelling techniques have evolved to include a range of very complex moves, and a highly specialized vocabulary has emerged to describe the techniques involved and their resulting creations.
If you ask Patches?
It is squeaky jazz!
In terms of how I would classify myself? I’m a twister.
My job is to take a few balloons and bring a person’s request to life on the spot!
Kid’s love letting their imaginations run wild, adults love feeling like a kid again!
In terms of the design style I offer, there will always be a time and a place for the good old one balloon dog, sword, or flower but my skillset is better suited to that of being “fast and flashy” – A one balloon dog can be made in approx. 10 seconds…. Oswald the Octopus (shown) can be made in 3 minutes.
Each style does indeed have its own set of challenges, but just like an artist will refine their medium or a musician their theory- Patches will always strive to perfect his skillset for either style.
At the end of the day, I love what I do and will always strive to improve.