November1999
Joe Mussulman, artist and avid balloonist, is a professional
illustrator who has created a series of paintings showing fanciful
flights into ballooning history. The culture for each work in the
series has been researched and a vessel shape for the period is
selected for the balloon.
If you are harboring an implausible balloon fantasy, Joe is
open to inspiration and pleased to include all the little extras that
tickle the mind. “I have such a good time doing it!” he explains.
Joe Mussulman, 4240 W. Dakota, Tucson, AZ 85746, voice
520-883-7504, fax 520-883-3237.
fire gilt balloonis poweredbythe five-toed
Chinesedragon.Theornatelanterndepictsnature:
things that growinthe earth,walkorswim onit,and
flyabove.
dragonisa central figureofbothgoodandevil in
Chinesefables andlegends.This dragon,combined
withthe tiger,represents heavenandearthor“inyo”
(YinandYang).
theirEuropeancounterpart,Chinesedragons
donot have wings,eventhoughtheyare oftende-
pictedincloudsascendingtothe heavens.
artist’s signature (or“chop”)is always stamped
inred.
Left side: “Hot Air Balloon”
Right side: “The pilot pulls the dragon’s tail to raise
the balloon.”
