Subscribing to a gorgeous print magazine that you have to wait for to arrive in the mail each quarter, and you're not even exactly sure what will be inside each issue?
What an old-fashioned and completely romantic thing to do!
Thank you to all my amazing, loyal readers who keep UPPERCASE going. The discount 'keepgoing' gives CA$10 off a subscription/renewal. (This message is sent to a general list, not segmented based on past purchases.)
Issue #67 (Oct-Nov-Dec) will start arriving with subscribers in early October.
New Open Calls!
illustration & the elements of creativity
Issue #68 of UPPERCASE magazine will be taking a stand against AI and generative art—but not with any negativity. With UPPERCASE's positive and inclusive approach, we focus on the good. This issue will be thoughtful, uplifting and inspiring.
We will highlight what makes human-made illustration so wonderful—its heart, personality and uniqueness. The joy of art-making and the satisfaction of thinking for oneself.
We aren't machines! We exist in the natural world, one made of physical elements—earth, water, air and fire. These elements will serve as visual metaphors throughout this issue.
This special issue will profile illustrators across all stages of their careers. As long as you don't use AI in any way to ideate or generate your artwork, you are welcome to participate in this creative brief entitled "The Elements of Creativity."
A selection of submissions will be published in UPPERCASE issue #68 (Jan-Feb-March 2026) and/or the UPPERCASE newsletter.
Depending on the quantity and quality of submissions, we may also release a PDF to highlight even more submissions. To control and monitor access, the PDF would be hosted on our website and not available for download. It would be promoted to art directors and art buyers as a source of illustrators available for hire.
There is no fee to enter.
The artists selected to appear in print will receive a free subscription or renewal (due to limitations in mailing, the subscription offer is only available in Canada, the USA, the UK, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia). Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to offer compensation for open call submissions.
This submission will require you to respond to a creative brief, answer three questions and submit 4-6 images from your portfolio and 2-4 images of your studio, sketchbook or other details along with a full colour, square headshot.
Creative Brief: The Elements of Creativity The classic four elements—earth, water, air and fire—have long been themes and motifs in visual art. Depicting them literally or using them metaphorically, create an illustration that expresses the elements of your creativity. REQUIRED DIMENSIONS: 7.125" wide by 9.625" tall at 300dpi, saved as a jpg. (Either RGB or CMYK is fine; we will handle the prepress requirements.) Deadline: October 8 at 5pm MDT
How do the elements (earth, water, air and fire) inspire, inform or affect your art or craft?
For example, do you make things out of earth? Is water (or ice) integral to your process? Does air, wind, or weather factor into your creation? Do you make prints with sunlight or need the heat of a flame to create?
Volume G: Glue will be shipping later in September. Preorder a copy.
TODAY: The Portfolio Workshop with Genna Blackburn
In this free workshop, illustrator and surface designer Genna Blackburn will show you the steps you need to create a professional portfolio that you can use to woo your dream clients!
In this live workshop, you’ll learn: • The best platform for building your portfolio
• What makes a portfolio show-stopping
• The perfect amount of artwork to include
• Why you are ready (even if you’re unsure)
• Plus the number one mistake holding you back from attracting your dream clients (hint: it's really easy to fix)
UPPERCASE is a promotional partner for Genna Blackburn's Portfolio Workshop and upcoming InDesign Your Portfolio course.
— STOP THE GENOCIDE — 100% to UNICEF humanitarian efforts in Gaza. 100% of Little U sales are donated. Purchase Little U here.
❤️ Wearing a respirator is an act of kindness. Protect your health and the health of your community. 1 in 53 Albertans is currently infected with COVID. Canada Covid Hazard Index COVID is spreading rapidly through the USA: "Wastewater-derived case estimates suggest the U.S. is seeing approximately 9.0 million infections per week. The past week's infections will result in up to 4,200 excess deaths." Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative.
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