Dear Reader,

The theme of the current UPPERCASE magazine is "practice makes perfect" though, really, once you read through, you'll see that the point of the phrase was never about perfection. It's the practice that is the point—the making, trying, failing, trying again.

My thanks to Lilla Rogers for her wise words and drawings in the current issue. Here's a poster for you from the both of us:

download link: UPPERCASE 70 - Practice with Lilla.pdf​

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Are you working on a submission for the two open calls for the next issue? If so, thank you so much! Here's a reminder that the open calls close next week, on July 22.

I am grateful for readers' participation in the open calls; over the years, they have become an integral part of each issue and why I need so many pages each issue! The intention of the open calls is to highlight the amazing talent and creativity of UPPERCASE readers. So that you can literally see yourself within the pages of (what I hope and aspire to) is your favourite magazine.

The current open calls are listed on the Submissions page and more examples are shared below.

Where and how do you find inspiration? If Inspiration were a place, draw a map or create a diagram about how to find it.

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Read more about The Path to Inspiration here. The Idea Session replay is available for all to watch on the submissions page until July 22 and always in the UPPERCASE Circle (access for paid print subscribers only).

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Here's an ADORABLE submission by Keely Hoffman:

She writes: "My Map of Inspiration is a whimsical, cottagecore-inspired peek into my creative world. Rather than a straight line, my path to inspiration is a winding trail through nature, filled with cozy, quiet wonders. It begins at my cozy home—a safe place to create and rest—and wanders past daily walks where I observe and collect ideas. I love stopping to pick fresh flowers, finding endless inspiration in the changing seasons and the tiny miracles all around us. Along the way, inspiration sparks from simple joys: the comfort of books, the vibrant life in gardens, and the warmth of family and loved ones. From the music that lifts my spirits to quiet moments of painting and campfire gratitude, this piece is an open invitation to find magic in the little things that fill the heart."
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​Corinne Phillips wrote a poem! "My poem reflects my own path to inspiration. The tendency is to look for motivation outside oneself, but I have found the best solution is simply to keep turning up in the studio each day. In A Poetry Handbook, Mary Oliver compares inspiration to the courtship of Romeo and Juliet. Had either failed to keep a ‘date’, there would have been no romance. Creativity works in much the same way. If you do not show up, nothing happens. But if you are faithful to your practice, the Muse begins to honour that commitment, and you are ready to meet her when she appears. The artwork is a stitched collage on a vintage map with the Inspiration Shuttle ready to depart."

Whether it has been winding and unpredictable or you’ve always had a clear direction, our paths to creativity are uniquely personal. What have been the significant points on your creative path? Where did you start out? Where are you now? What did you learn on the way?

How did you get from there to here?

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Get the details on this open call here.

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Here's an example:

I AM an Artist
Sherri Lipman McCauley
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My mom always created outfits for our family. She grew up without the luxury of new clothes and was adamant her children would always have new clothes to wear.

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I have been sewing for most of my life! For my sixteenth birthday, I received a sewing machine. At the time, I had hoped for something a bit more glamorous. In hindsight, it was a really great gift!

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I stitched many of my own outfits in high school, from a wool blazer with copper enameled buttons I created myself to my prom gown. In college I started a quilt from my childhood clothing scraps, stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Let us just say that it never quite got to the size for snuggling under. But it was not until I moved to Portland, Maine for work, that I really embraced quilting. The first quilting class I attended was through a continuing education offering. Using a ’Quilt in a Day’ pattern, I created my first bed quilt. When I look back at the fabric selection, I cannot believe the disparate fabrics I assembled. But I was proud of that accomplishment, and it became a part of my newly married décor in Pleasant Valley, New York.
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Fast forward a number of years, kids, work, travel, and a move to Austin, Texas that changed the way I thought about quilting. I joined a local quilt guild and art bee, and I was off to dyeing fabrics and creating art quilts. Applying a bit of paint with a touch of improvisation, and my work took on a life of its own.
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The biggest influence that shaped my journey, was the time I spent studying with Jane Dunnewold in her Mastery class. It was there that I learned about color, composition and dyeing fabric. I gained confidence over the years of study and finished the class with the affirmation:
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I AM an Artist.

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Today, I continue playing with colour and fabrics, seeking out like minded communities and indulging in creating artwork for my own pleasure.
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​Website​

Jot progress update

Sometimes I wonder why I work so much, or if I create too much work for myself. Or why I can't let go of some things and get some help (like hiring someone to manage my online shop and customer emails, for example.) Or why I am always writing these Encyclopedias of Inspiration in the heat of summer instead of a cold, cozy winter month? hmmm.

EASIER ≠ BETTER

That's what I jotted down during this rumination. Of course, difficulty doesn't make something better, either.

Anyway, the book is progressing. The first 40 pages are the hardest, I always say! I'm sorting and writing and designing simultaneously, which is one of the benefits of doing everything myself. These initial pages help me hone in on design elements and figure out my editorial voice. I'm writing essays that accompany each section of the book that will include quotes and examples from our community. I'm trying to incorporate as many of you as I can within these essays; everyone who auditioned will be contacted, it is just taking some time because I want to be 100% certain of my editorial decisions before I email anyone.

I'm on the cusp of the first part of the project timeline, transitioning into the full-on writing and designing.

Pre-Order Jot

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Thank you for your pre-orders and magazine subscriptions.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ I appreciate you and any small moment of attention that you've directed towards my publications recently. I do not take you for granted and am very fortunate to have a wonderful reader like you.

​UPPERCASE #70 (July-Aug-Sept) is in my shop!

➜ Stockists in Canada and the USA should have inventory by now. Central Books and the roster of UK shops and galleries that stock UPPERCASE should have their copies later this month or early August.
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➜ If you're looking for physical copies of some hard-do-find older back issues, Central Books UK has many of them! Click here to see a list. Central Books offers a "3 for 2" discount—offering 33% off when you purchase 3 or more copies with the code "Up23".
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➜ In my shop, back issues are 20% off when you purchase 3 or more. Popular issue #69 is now a back issue.

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➜ The UPPERCASE Archive provides access to digital editions of the the first 54 issues of the magazine. Great for reading on an iPad during summer vacation. CA$16/month for access, cancel any time!

Use the code perfectcircle
for CA$15 off subscriptions and renewals.

Subscribe

This message has been sent to a general list. ​ If you've already pre-ordered Jot, thank you!!! If you're already an UPPERCASE print subscriber, thank you!!! ​(Please refer to your order receipts from shop@uppercasemagazine.com.)

I will feature some readers' letters and postcards in the book and use the submissions to design one of the signature dust jackets for the Encyclopedia of Inspiration.

​click here for the full instructions​
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​What's this Jot book all about?

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Janine Vangool​
UPPERCASE publishing inc
1052 Memorial Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 3E2
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