Pantone has declared the "colour" for the year ahead a bland white.
The dictionary Merriam-Webster's word of the year 2025 is 'slop,' defined as "content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence."
Not very inspiring, is it?
You won't find blandness or slop in UPPERCASE magazine.
Quite the opposite!
UPPERCASE is full of vibrant art from a diversity of people.
It's colourful, varied and eclectic, yet has a continuity of values, community and a distinct point of view. It's encouraging, inclusive and inspiring.
I've been curating and designing this magazine for 16 years. I've never needed an artificial intelligence to help me come up with ideas or to generate art. And I never will.
Over the years, I've trained myself. I've learned how to prompt myself to keep going, to keep striving, to keep exploring. I know that generating new ideas is a process, and one that is endlessly available to me as long as I nurture my creative spirit.
Are you looking for a good idea?
Good ideas come from experience, serendipity, exploration, uncertainty, discomfort, joy, failure, collaboration, empathy, and kindness.
Creative discovery.
Hands-on making.
Making mistakes.
Thinking for yourself.
You're not going to find any of these by prompting ChatGPT.
I'm thinking about sharing my thoughts and techniques about all of this in a workshop hosted in the UPPERCASE Circle. It'll be early in the new year to coincide with the themes we explore in the new issue (#68, Jan-Feb-March). More to come!
Thank for your kindness, attention and appreciation for authenticity. And thank you for supporting this independent, ads-free magazine by subscribing. You're wonderful.
ps Use the code take15 for CA$15 off subscriptions, gift subscriptions and renewals. Flip through the new issue here!
subscription Mailing UPDATE*
For all readers with active subscriptions as of November 24, your copies were placed into the post last Friday. Thank you in advance for your patience during this busiest time of the year.
For subscriptions and renewals placed since November 24, my fulfillment partner has received this issue and they are working to dispatch your order as soon as possible.
HOLIDAY OFFERS New orders won't arrive before Christmas, but you can use a printable and emailable gift notice in the meantime! Download them here.
A magazine subscription is a thoughtful gift that will remind your creative friend or family member of your generosity throughout the year. Use the code "take15" at checkout for CA$15 off subscriptions and renewals. Back Issue Bundles: save 30-36% Purchase 3 or more back issues for 20% off. Curated Book Bundles: save up to 25% off. Build your own bundle: Purchase 3 or more books for 20% off. The UPPERCASE Sampler is nearly 50% off! No code required. Available in North America only.
Subscriber Nancy Gibson has been upcycling and redecorating the subscriber postcards included with each issue. I love how her handmade patterns are stamped and overlaid on my patterns.
Open Calls for UPPERCASE #69
Have you ever completed a solo artist residency or attended an artist retreat?
We’re looking to feature some reader experiences in UPPERCASE issue #69. To be considered for inclusion in this issue, please answer the three questions in the submission form and provide 4-6 images by December 22, 2025. We will follow up in early January for more details. (Please note: for this article, we are not interested in “art tourism” or group activities.) Deadline: December 22 at 5pm MST → Submission details and form
How do you create texture in your art and craft?
We’re talking about real texture—creating a surface or an object that is tactile and tangible. For example, weaving, basketry, needlework, knitting, crocheting, carving, and impasto painting involve creating or modifying or affecting surface texture. The submitted projects should have the exploration of texture as one of their primary features. Deadline: January 8 at 5pm MST → Submission details and form
How do you nurture your creative self?
The creative self is the essence of who we are as expressive beings. How are self-confidence, self-discovery, self-reliance, self-compassion and self-care aspects of your creative practice? How do you nurture your creative self? Deadline: January 8 at 5pm MST → Submission details and form → view all open calls
— Books to inspire your creativity —
Bundle up and save!
Ultimate Encyclopedia Bundle of 12 volumes: save 25%. Choose from one of our thematic bundles and save 20%. Build your own Encyclopedia Book Bundle: Save 20% off when you purchase three or more Encyclopedias.
Get a Sampler to explore all aspects of UPPERCASE: the magazine, Little U, a book from the Encyclopedia of Inspiration and a publication from the early days.
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Comments & replies to Janine
I am happy to hear from you and welcome your comments!