UPPERCASE { Janine Vangool }

Hello Reader, I am excited to announce that the next volume of the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration is called Jot! This uplifting volume will be about journaling, note-taking, sketching, book-making, handwriting, and other ways of jotting down our thoughts onto paper. This book concept is one I've been exploring for some time (you might see some similarities in theme with it and my Sketchbook Revival "text" book session). I am consciously and purposefully incorporating hands-on elements...

Dear Reader, I am using this vintage Letters collector box to store the postcards and letters being sent in for the Jot book. It's on a table by the front door, so when I get new mail, the postcards and letters gets popped into the Letters box. It's "leather-like" finish is textured paper with the script letters in gold foil. I'm fond of old desk accessories. But, as you can see, my actual desk is currently accessorized with piles of things! Each pile represents a train of thought or action I...

Hello Reader, Today, I'm occupied with editing the articles for issue #71 (Oct-Nov-Dec). So, rather than break my focus too much, today's newsletter is a simple reminder: ➜ The open calls The Path to Inspiration and From There to Here both close tomorrow, July 22, at 11:59 pm MDT. There will be no extensions on the deadline because this issue goes to the printer in mid-August. The image above is Brianne Burnell's submission to The Path to Inspiration. She writes, "The path to inspiration is a...

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 Use the code perfectcircle for CA$15 off...

Hello Reader, I still have my scissors from elementary school, with my name taped around the handle. I wonder what distance of cuts they've made over the decades? I put them to use this week; I'm working on a collage for my own interpretation of the current open call, The Path to Inspiration. The open call asks: Where and how do you find inspiration? If Inspiration were a place, draw a map or create a diagram about how to find it. Read more about The Path to Inspiration here. The Idea Session...

Hello Reader, A few hours ago, I hosted an Idea Session! Since I'm simultaneously working on Jot and the next UPPERCASE, a lot of things are overlapping... happily, I am spending more time in my notebook and was able to use my doodles for the presentation today. After the one-hour call, I spent 3 hours editing it into a nice package. I could have just let it be a zoom recording, but I thought the content merited a nicer treatment. Why does editing video take so long? Even if you're not...

Dear Reader, I've scheduled something in the UPPERCASE Circle for this coming Tuesday that I thought you might be interested in: Where and how do you find inspiration? If Inspiration were a place, draw a map or create a diagram about how to find it. Join your fellow readers and me as we explore the open call "The Path to Inspiration" together during this live group idea/work session. I'll share some of my inspiration for this theme and we'll discuss the concept together. During the session,...

Hello Reader, UPPERCASE #70 is making its way in the world. This is the July-Aug-Sept issue—please don't expect it to arrive until early July in North America, and a bit later overseas! There's always a wide range in delivery timeframes, and I appreciate your patience. New orders will dispatch on non-holiday weekdays from my fulfillment partner. Thank you! Use the code perfectcircle for CA$15 off subscriptions and renewals through the end of June. shop UPPERCASE The open call deadline for...

Atelier Bobina Hello Reader, Here are some garden and flower-themed submissions and portfolios I've received lately! The drawings above and below are by Ilinca Roman. She writes, "I took a slightly roundabout route into illustration. I studied Computer Science because I thought I would become a programmer. Then I found my way into UX design, where I've spent most of my professional life. Illustration happened alongside that through self-teaching, experimentation and a lot of trial and error....