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.