Joseph is not only an amazing and creative folder, but also a really really nice guy.  Everybody loves Joseph.  His enthusiasm for the created works is infectious.  A few years ago, he gave a demonstration and information session at the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, when a visiting origami master had travelled from Japan.  Joseph demonstrated the large origami dinosaurs that required a “wet paper” technique.

I love origami.  I started folding when I was a child and I was able to quickly master designs from Kunihkio Kasahara's “Creative Origami, and Isao Honda's “The World of Origami.”  There are 16 books of origami on my book shelf + booklets.  Some of my favorite books are Peter Engel's “Folding Universe: Origami from Angelfish to Zen”, and “Origami for the Connoisseur” by Kunihiko Kasahara and Toshie Takahama.  If I go away on a vacation where I know I will be relaxing indoors… I usually take origami paper and books with me… and sometimes my accordion.  But somehow, origami paper just seems to travel so much easier than my accordion.  It's amazing what happens when you are sitting in an airplain, fold a flower, a star, a dragon or a unicorn… then give it away as a gift to the person sitting next to you, or the little girl watching you in amazement.  Origami makes friends instantly, wherever you are.

Joseph and I have talked about creating an origami “bagpiper” or “accordion player” to raffle off at a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner – but we've never gotten around to it yet.  Hmmm… maybe next year?