I Love My Job: Flower Clown Brings Smiles Worldwide
By Mary Palmieri

A clown is like aspirin, but works twice as fast. – Groucho Marx

Some of the best success stories grow out of not just being in the right place at the right time, but also paying attention to those quicksilver moments that appear disguised as ordinary events. For Ron Fowler – aka Flower Clown – that moment occurred while employed as an electronics engineer at Power Play, a video arcade that used to be located in the Flats in Cleveland. Ron was fixing video games when he noticed an entertainer bending balloons into various shapes. He decided to give it a try and soon discovered that, between his engineering mind and his deft hands (he also is a drummer), he could twist balloons into every shape imaginable – a vase full of flowers, a basket of fruit and a menagerie of animals, Santas, birthday cakes and much more – much to the delight of children and adults alike.

Ron soon realized that he had other clowning gifts as well. He says, “I discovered my talents slowly. There were times in the past when I saw 'Flower' come out.” For example, as a teenager he had learned to ride a unicycle when his mother purchased one for him at a local auction. He also had a knack for imitating voices, which evolved from a humorous habit of calling in to college radio stations.

As a child, Ron was shy, and as an adult, he was an introvert. Once he decided to explore his future as a clown and began performing, however, he discovered his “alter ego” – a funny, animated, quick-on-his-feet (and with his hands!) entertainer who loves to make people smile. But Ron professes, “It was my love of children that carried me into clowning.” And so, Ron Fowler came into full bloom, and Flower Clown was born. After starting his clowning career in 1984, Ron's success allowed him to quit his engin-eering job to work full time as a clown in 2000 and form his business, Flower Entertainment. He inspired his mother (“Betty Bee”), sister (“Petals”) and niece (“Lil' Daisy”) to become clowns for Flower Entertainment as well.

Flower's creative gifts are enhanced by his quick smile, sure-fire wit and wonderful sense of wordplay – all delivered with an impish twinkle in his eyes – easily attracting both young and old to gather around him. However, Flower's biggest challenge often is containing the behavior of the adults while performing for the children. Finding himself in the position of diplomatically asking adults to keep down the loud chatter so that the children could hear him, Flower discovered that he could easily deal with the adults by entertaining them as well. Between his balloon art and humor layered with multiple meanings, Flower's performances grab the attention of adults – in effect, getting them to “behave” through smiles and laughter.

Besides performing at children's birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, trade shows and other events, Flower gives weekly performances at Tommy's on Coventry in Cleveland Heights, Mom's Diner in Orange and Cowboy Food and Drink in Bainbridge, where he considers the regulars as his extended family. In his repeat business of entertaining children at parties and restaurants, Flower comments that it is wonderful to watch these children grow and change over the years. Flower also bestows his talents on such worthy causes as Race for the Cure, the American Diabetes Association Walk and Ronald McDonald House.

Ron's work also extends far beyond Northeast Ohio, and his mission to share his art around the globe brings tribute to the long history of clowning itself. From Egypt's eighth dynasty, the court jesters of Europe and Asia, 16th century Italy's Commedia Del Arte and Shakespeare's clowns, all the way to vaudeville, Charlie Chaplin and our 'modern' circus clowns, Flower comes from a rich and long tradition of joviality. As Flower Clown, Ron has traveled around the world to Egypt, Israel, India, Europe, Tibet, Australia, the Netherlands, China and Vietnam. He particularly enjoys entertaining in developing countries where he says life is more challenging and the people welcome his ability to bring laughter and joy to their lives. This year, he is taking his art to India, Nepal, Thailand and surrounding countries.

What are some of Flower's goals and dreams for his future as a clown? Simply put, he says he wishes to dedicate himself to “a lifetime of making people happy.” By utilizing such helpful online communication tools as the website You-Tube where he posts Flower Clown videos, he also provides assistance to those who want to learn the art of balloon sculpting.

For Ron Fowler, becoming a clown was an integral part of his journey toward self-actualization. “I felt like a lost soul until I found my 'face.' Throughout my childhood, I had no idea who I was or where I wanted my life to go. I used to follow my head. It was not until I followed my heart that my life changed and Flower was born.” And Ron Fowler's Flower Clown is rare and beautiful, indeed.


Flower Clown (Ron Fowler) lives on Cleveland's east side. For more information on Flower Clown, visit www.flowerclown.com or call (440) 944-0278.

Mary Palmieri has a M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Development and has taught courses at Cleveland State University and Bryant & Stratton College, as well as Creativity courses and workshops in the Greater Cleveland community. She recently joined an all-female drum ensemble and is a bibliophile.