We were lucky to catch up with Irina Patterson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Irina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

So, back in the 2000s, I scored this fancy job of a Vice President at a PR Agency in Miami’s Coral Gables area. Our clients were all these flashy online startups, throwing cash at us for some PR magic.

Of course, most of them went down in flames because nobody had a clue about how to build a startups in at the time. Back then, it was way tougher than it is now.

My job there was new and exciting at first and then very boring. I had no decision-making power. Everyone around me thought they knew it all, and I wasn’t in charge of anything. Eventually, it got really meh.

So one day, I stumble upon a clown at a party. That was a real discovery. I was raised in Russia, I never saw birthday clowns before. The clown was making balloon animals. And I’m like, “Hey, I can do this!” Getting paid to twist balloons into animals? It was exciting to me because who I am. When you really want something you get a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

So without wasting any time, I bought a bag of balloons for $7 and a pump for $3, and went to a Coconut Grove strip mall the very next day. I made about $100 in tips that night. I loved every minute of it. Most of all I liked being in control.

And that is how I went from working in a fancy PR agency for tech startups to a balloon animal artist!

That was back in the day, way before Instagram, Google for Business, Facebook, and all that jazz. It was all about good old word of mouth and you ability to connect with people in real life. It was 20 years ago! And guess what? Even now, if I feel like it, I can just hit the streets with my bag of balloons and pump and bam! Instant cash and lots of positive emotions.

It just crazy! Kids eagerly queue up in lines to get their balloon animals. Parents are happily handing you their hard-earned cash. It’s like a balloon animal frenzy.

I actually don’t do streets now. I am a well-known event artist. My schedule is packed with all kinds of events – from Galas to Bar Mitzvahs. And, I’ve got a whole lineup of other creative services for events.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

So, I kicked off my artistic adventure as a balloon artist. But then, parents started asking for face painting, so I thought, why not? And then, at some events, I saw people doing live sketches at events, and I thought, cool, I can do that too!

And, lately, because I’ve been spending way too much time on Instagram, I’m like, hey, maybe I could be a fashion model too! Life’s too short, right? Have to try everything.

So, at the ripe age of 63, I’m diving headfirst into my next round of adventures…as a fashion model! Watch out world, here I come!

You know what made me think of myself as a fashion model? Seeing all these stunning role models. Seriously, we’ve got @mayemusk (75 years old and killing it), @Lauren Hutton (a cool 78 years old), and of course, Carmen Dell’Orefice (92 years old and still strutting on the catwalk!). That is very inspiring to me. Why?

Alright, let me spill the beans about my super humble modeling past.

Picture this: it’s 1992, and I’ve just arrived fresh off the boat from Russia. I was already 33 years old! Back then, being a 33-year-old fashion model was like mission impossible. They’d say you’re too old! But hey, I had this crazy dream of being discovered and unleashing my inner supermodel. What a joke, right? I had zero confidence and zilch business skills. That was my main problem.

Now I know better. Now I know. Nobody’s gonna come knocking on your door to discover you. No matter what age you are. Don’t think someone will discover you. It is up to you to take action and make things happen in your life!

If you really, really, really want something, like really, really bad, then go ahead and build it yourself. Seriously, there’s always a way, even if you’re 90 years old.

You just got to want it bad enough, like really, really, really bad. And that’s when you’ll magically find a way. It’s all about that crazy intense desire. It gives you the energy to do things, like whoa! But until you want something bad enough, like really, really bad, you won’t see the way.

So back in 1994, when I was like “I want to do this but I have no clue how”, the Universe was like “Here you go” and threw me a curveball. I ended up being chosen as a stand-in model for none other than Cindy Crawford in her movie “Fair Game”. The movie was filmed in Miami, and there I was, hanging out next to Cindy for a few days. Talk about an opportunity, right? I had a fair chance to learn from her, but honestly, I was just clueless and didn’t have a game plan. Don’t repeat my mistake, always be ready.

I actually quit modeling after that gig because, let’s be real, I couldn’t make a living out of it at that time. I wasn’t ready. Fast forward 30 years, and guess what?

I still have this insane love for fashion photography and cinematography. The difference now? I’m way smarter now.

I know now how to get people to do you favors. First, offer them favors they can’t resist.

Now I’m also a pro at setting goals and crafting business strategies.

Here is what I know now. You got to write a hundred pitches a day to get that one “yes” and disregard those other 99 “no’s”. Don’t let those rejections bring you down! They are not personal. Trust me, there are people out there who could use your amazing skills and services. All you got to do is find those people, like a hidden treasures.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I just entered this FabOver40 Contest and they asked what I would do if I won $40,000. And you know what I said? I would use it to connect with non-profit organizations that support underprivileged girls and women worldwide.
I want to empower them through humor and inspirational speaking! I would tell them to rock their own beauty and strength because, seriously, we all got it! And let me tell you, it took me forever to figure that out. Like, almost a lifetime. But hey, better late than never.

After I made that statement, I had a little light bulb moment. I was like, wait a minute, why do I even need to wait to win $40,000? I can start doing it right now. Seriously, if any non-profits out there need a dose of enlightening motivation and some entertaining vibes, feel free to reach out to me at any time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Funny enough, I actually went through medical school in Russia. I worked as an ER doctor for 3 years in Russia. When I came to the US, I was like, thank goodness I don’t have to be a doctor anymore! ‘

Here, you’ve got so many cool opportunities and can create your own job and change direction whenever you feel like it.
It’s so different from my time growing up in Russia. I bet I would be a sad doctor there all my life. Maybe an overweight sad doctor.

Never in a million years did I think I would end up living in the US and making a living doing whatever I want. Being a doctor is cool, I mean, I’ve got mad respect for doctors, but let’s be real, I’m just not cut out for the whole hospital thing.
You know what’s sweet? Some folks actually believe clowns are doctors too! I mean, I kind of get it. They both make people feel better, right?

Having my degree has been super useful in my personal life, no doubt about it. I mean, I don’t regret getting my MD degree.. I still geek out over medical science and all that, but I’m glad that I have the chance to use all my skills for something else besides being a practicing doctor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=balloon-art-and-face-painting-by
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/irinapatterson and https://instagram.com/miamifunartist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamifl/
• Other: https://mylifeandart.typepad.com/

Image Credits
Thomas Schmuki Photography, Irina Patterson