UPPERCASE { Janine Vangool }

Dear Reader, Between designing the next issue (nearly 60 pages done!) and my daily tasks, I'm playing with oil pastels and scissors. It may or may not turn into the next UPPERCASE cover... It's just a spark of an idea at this point! Subscribe to UPPERCASE magazine The discount 'keepgoing' gives CA$10 off a print subscription/renewal. This week's updates I'm looking for some subscriber studios to publish in the next issue! Share your workspace, studio or corner of the dining room... wherever...

Dear Reader, Making Zen starts tomorrow! It's a free online event where you'll be introduced to new artists and do some mindful stitching. Each day, a new batch of videos is released and available for free for 24 hours. (If you want to watch at your own pace, you can purchase a VIP ticket for lifetime access to the presentations plus some bonuses from the speakers.) UPPERCASE is a promotional sponsor and affiliate. It's a working weekend for me—design for issue 68 is underway! If you have...

Dear Reader, Books and magazines, magazines and books! This is what is on my physical desk right now... and the next issue of UPPERCASE magazine (#68) is on my desktop computer. The next issue is in the very early stages of design, where the content I have commissioned and gathered is splattered on its designated pages. Nothing seems to make sense yet! Do I have enough content? Too much? Is the theme coming through? What's missing? This is a very necessary stage: doubt, worry, rethinking,...

Dear Reader, I wanted to share a bit more about the Illustration & the Elements of Creativity open call. First, with this outstanding submission by Lori Langille: illustration by Lori Langille Lori writes, "I have a real affinity for surrealist art, and I strive to bring the same sense of mystery and beauty to my illustrations, rather than just doing a literal interpretation of the text. And though I work these days on a computer as a digital collage illustrator, I still start every...

Dear Reader, Using the vintage stencils featured on the cover of issue #67, I recreated this alphabet that subscribers can print out onto the kraft mailer: cut out the letters and use them as a second-generation stencil! You'll find an array of UPPERCASE "krafts" that reuse and upcycle the kraft mailer in creative ways over here on my website. If you don't have a kraft mailer from an UPPERCASE subscription or single-copy purchase of the magazine from my website, you can use a cereal box....

Hello Reader, Here's a shot of the Glue book on my desk at the end of the day, with some creative clutter and my computer in the background... And the resulting product shot, below. Nothing glamorous about my photography setup, that's for sure! My logistical to-do list for the Glue book is ✅, meaning all copies are en route to everyone who has ordered it so far. New orders will be dispatched next week, after the Thanksgiving holiday Monday here in Canada. Thank you to everyone who preordered...

Dear Reader, Today, I posted a video of what's inside Glue. With 448 pages, it takes 6 minutes! (Here's the quick version.) Many of the participants have received their couriered copies; soon, they'll arrive in other places. The reviews are great so far: "I love it!" "It's fabulous!" "It's absolutely brilliant." "I'm over the moon!" 🥰 See below for more shipping news. Open Calls – update! I've extended the deadline for the open calls for issue #68 to October 20th. I've also slightly rewritten...

Hello Reader, It's very exciting to see the Glue books arrive with people other than me! First to receive it are the book's participants—their copies were sent via FedEx. Take a look at some of their posts in my saved stories. The image above is from Fiona McTaggart. Glue Shipping Update All US and overseas preorders placed before September 17 are in the postal system as of September 29. Canadian preorders will be sent out this coming week via various couriers to circumvent the Canada Post...

Dear Reader, Thank you for your kind encouragements after my message on Friday. Your subscriptions and book orders are always welcome! UPPERCASE discount offers Use the code 'keepgoing' for CA$10 off subscriptions and renewals. Subscribe starting with the new issue or the previous one. Purchase 3 or more Encyclopedias for 20% off (or purchase an already-discounted book bundle). Glue has been added to this offer, but it won't ship until next week or so, pending inventory to arrive. Save 20%...