Balloon Artist Brightens Up Her Yard Through Global Initiative

ODENTON, MD — The One Million Bubbles of Love initiative sweeping across the country has brought out the creativity in one Anne Arundel County balloon decorator. Quita "Q" Walston, a local event planner, participated in the first One Million Bubbles of Love event and will be creating a third design just in time for Mother's Day.

"One Million Bubbles of Love was started so balloon designers could share their art with the world in hopes of creating joy and smiles during this challenging and frightening time," Walston told Patch. "It was important for me to be a part of this initiative because people are hurting and I want to do my small part to try to turn a frown or sad face into a smile or happy feeling if only for a moment as balloons tend to make people happy. It's one way of me giving back with the talent that I was blessed with for the good of others."

Walston's business, Q's Remarkable Events, is a veteran-owned special event company working with clients in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., so it was only fitting that Walston used her designer's eye to create balloon designs for One Million Bubbles of Love. This weekend, balloon artists from around the world will design something artsy and fun in their yards or in a public place symbolizing love and kindness. Some will broadcast the design process live on social media.

With social distancing guidelines in place and a limit on gatherings, many events have been canceled and postponed, affecting businesses like Walston's.

The first One Million Bubbles was held March 26 with more than 350 designers participating from 15 countries. The second One Million Bubbles was held on April 11-12 with almost 1,900 designers participating from 81 countries. For the April event, Walston created a set of rainbows with hashtag messages attached that recognized and thanked heroes for their help and sacrifice during the coronavirus pandemic. The second part of the display was designed to celebrate Easter with a cross and two bunnies perched beside an Easter basket filled with balloons representing eggs.

"It took me about 12 hours over two days to make my display because I was figuring out the design as I was making it. It required 479 balloons," Walston told Patch. "The goal of my display was to bring hope, joy and smiles to people, specifically my neighbors who were out jogging, strolling with their kids/family, or walking their dog since we’re under a stay-at-home order, during this difficult time."

Walston was happy to see a young child with a parent out walking by her display who seemed thrilled when he spied it, she said. She's also received texts and notes via social media complimenting her on the displays and thanking her for what she's done to brighten other's day.