Teaching Nature Print Class

I have taught the Nature Print Class for Mr. Nobuo Sugino since he couldn't make it to the conference due to his engagements in Japan. I thought I better practice a lot when I found out that I had to teach this class for him. It was actually a lot of fun with nature print methods. All of the sudden, I looked at botanical materials with an additional dimension. Not only would I think about how a material presses, I also wanted to experiment with print. I really have to give credit to Nobuo for these creative ways using botanical materials. I enjoyed using the prints as backgrounds for my pictures too.

At the conference, I had 2 hours to direct everyone learning two techniques. It was a brand new experience for everyone. Very few people were making prints on the silk scarf. Most wanted to practice more on paper before they make an imprint on silk. I have heard from some now that they have enjoyed making beautiful scarves at home.

I am grateful to Nobuo demonstrated the technique to me back in Feb. I had some ideas about his techniques before from looking at pictures of his past demos. However, seeing the real thing was better than anything. And I had chances to ask questions too. Now, through the conference class, I have sow seeds of his techniques in the US, Canada, China, UK, and Nepal. I hope Mr. Sugino is happy with my performance teaching his class.

Moved by supporters' emails

I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed seeing my displays at the Orange County Fair in the last two years. Everyone is disappointed that I am not in the fair this year. It is great to know that their daughters and grandaughters are still wearing the necklaces that they bought from me. It is so touching to know how they have received compliments with my real pressed flower cards that they sent to their loved ones. I am very happy to know that they have enjoyed displaying my works in their homes and their friends/relatives loved the items they bought from me as gifts. All in all, I am so grateful that so many people have supported me and still remember me.

Thoughts after the conference

Conference bridge gaps and facilitate communication between different organizations. We have learned so much from the UK members in the conference. As I recall that they demand everyone follow their framing standard. I now understand why. It makes the artworks so much better and professional. Seeing things online and seeing them in person is something totally different. If one looks at the competition results on mini bouquet online, one must wonder how could Carolyn Foster's tiny bouquet won over Marie Ann's magnificent peony arrangement? The quality of English work is just impeccable. While I will continue using vacuum sealing method but I am thinking to improve the back of the frame for bridal works according to UK method. I have been talking about the iron-on film that the UK people are using. I think I have convinced a few to try. However, there was overwhelming demand at the conference after Denise Stirrup showed all kinds of lamination results on exhibition. And people looked at the quilts in person. I have asked Denise to do a short demo. I ran out of films due to demand (I had 150 feet to start with). For years Denise has told me about the "iron-on" film. It did not click until I saw her quilt patches in person. Without the conference, this type of exchange would not happen> because seeing the actual things is everything.

Now that everyone went home. I finally have a little time to sit down reading the pressed flower art text book that Guoju copied for me. She is the chief editor. Xianghuan is one of the authors. I am so impressed by the content especially the sciences of pressed flowers, color retention, dyes including botanical dyes. I only had beginner biology and chemistry in middle school which was taught in Chinese. My higher education were done in the US. I have a degree in bio-medical engineering so I had extensive training in biology and chemistry (including organic and bio chemistry). It is very difficult to read these in Chinese but I recognize the chemical formulas. My goodness! They have done a lot of researches in this area already. The experiments are so interesting. No wonder they teach pressed flower art in universities. They have details on red, pink, green, white, blue color retention theories and some techniques. They are so humble in the conference about their knowledge! I feel very good knowing them. We all got to know Guoju for a few years. Xianghuan ended up is one of the authors for a very good pressed flower book published in the late 90s. I have had the book for years. She holds 2 patterns in pressed flower art. I was so touched that she said she got into pressed flower art because of seeing it on my website when she introduced herself in the conference. I am also very touched that they have recognized me in their book for my critiques in some chapters.

Meeting the Japanese group back in Feb makes me understand how important it is to be able to communicate. They don't speak English. I don't speak Japanese. I was fortunate that Sandy is an excellent translator. IPFAS invited me to the conference next year in Japan. I think I will go. I guess I will just find my way there with everyone speaking Japanese.

All these makes me wonder if there is a way to communicate without language barrier. So many people have done so much everywhere in the world. I guess it is time to pick up another language.

1st day at the conference

We had a wonderful day at the conference. I am so happy to see some old friends and meeting some friends I have met online for the first time.

My mom attended our opening. Well, she has grown flowers and pressed for one of my classes I will teach. I am so proud of of her.

Our inspiration Cellestine made to the conference. She has even done a demo of her framing method to us. I am so happy to finally see her in person.

The competition result is announced at the conference. Unfortunately I have left the result sheet inside the classroom so please be patient for one more day. Here are the 3 first place winners. It is too bad that I cannot remember the persons' names for category 1 and category 3.

Beautiful artworks!

I spent 1/2 day judging many beautiful pressed flower artworks with 2 other judges. Competition is very tough this year with so many wonderful entries. We still have more works to do tomorrow. Our work is not easy since every piece is so good.

Had a nice dinner with all the friends at the hotel. I still have to pack up the last things for tomorrow's setup. We are almost ready for the conference. It is so exciting to see all the old friends and meeting new ones.

Most of the members arrived have either enjoyed the pool or had fun in Downtown Disney. Some are even driving all over S. CA. I am very happy to see everyone having good time. We will have 3 packed days together. It is great when everyone is rested up after long trips.

Members are arriving

As it is closer to the conference, members are arriving. We have people from China, Canada, and PA, USA arrived.

I took a few friends to the Huntington Library and Botanical Garden today. We had great time. These ladies were very tired by the end of the day.

We first went to have some Chinese lunch. We each had a nice cold drink before heading to the Huntington Library. It was pretty hot today. We only had time to walk in the formal garden, the new Chinese garden, the Japanese garden, and the rose garden. Wish we have more time to enjoy the lovely ground of Huntington Library.

I remember the Pressed Flower Gallery is near by. We stopped there. The gallery was closed. We were trying to peak in. Fortunately May's brother is still there. I have introduced ourselves and asked if we could go in to look around. He was very nice letting us in. Then May came as well. Here we are in front of the Pressed Flower Gallery.

I had to stop by to get some shaved ice after a hot day. Everyone enjoyed some. We then decided to have dinner and wait for the traffic to die down there. We had nice Shanghai dishes.

Getting back to the creative mode

It has been so long since I last posted. Work just got into the way of things... We finally got to a point that we can live our normal lives again.

I have been trying to figure out how to do natural print on silk scarf. It is frustrating sometimes during the try and err period. I finally figured it out!!! It is so pretty. I am very pleased with the result. This will be taught at the conference. It is so much fun once I have things figured out.

As promised to my April class students that I have made a little dog picture and posted in the class group.

I also had a little time to sit down and plan out a small landscape project for the conference in case Liuba cannot make it. Although I can imitate Liuba's style of design, I just could not come up with 40+ sets of materials. Oh well! Everyone will just have to learn my style then. I am very pleased with this design. I hope students will not be disappointed. Planning a class is so much different from making my own designs. I enjoy doing the planning.

Judith in my in-person class said that her little rabbit has won the scrap book contest. She used my idea on mounting. I am so proud of her!