UPPERCASE issue 34

UP P E R CAS E

34 let your mind wander

for the C R E A T I V E and C U R I O U S

544 PA G E S

850 PAT T E R N S

VOLUME “F” IN THE UPPERCASE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INSPIRATION UPPERCASE

A multi-volume book set released in whimsical (non-alphabetical) order on all manner of intriguing topics.

F

eed sacks are the perfect example of a utilitarian product turned into something beautiful. Author Linzee Kull McCray explores the history of the humble feed sack, from a plain burlap or cotton sack to exuberantly patterned and colourful bags that were repurposed into frocks, aprons and quilts by thrifty housewives in the first half of the 20th century. Extensive imagery and at-scale reproductions of these fabrics create an inspiring sourcebook of pattern and colour—and offer a welcome visit to a slower-paced way of life. ||| uppercasemagazine.com/feedsacks

FA B R I C

The UPPERCASE Volume 2 fabric collection uses the magazine’s masthead and spine patterns as the starting point of beautiful fabric designs. Repeated motifs F Rdashes O M and T Hdiamonds E E D make I T O up this R’S DE of dots, J A N I N E VA N G O O L pretty graphic collection—with a little vintage feed sack inspiration thrown in as well!

Dear Reader,

UPPERCASE (PAPER) QUILT BLOCK CHALLENGE Whether you’re a quilter or not, everyone is invited to play with pattern. Download and print the pdf to play with the patterns from UPPERCASE Volume 2: Dots, Dashes and Diamonds. Design an original or traditional quilt block or use the patterns to create a collage. Take a square photo of your creation and share on Instagram with the hashtag #uppercaseblock. Together, we’ll create a quilt design based on reader submissions. I’ll award some fabric to the favourites. Have fun!

SK

uppercasemagazine.com/fabric

The best adventure is when you start out knowing where you’re going… and end up in a place even better and more interesting than you originally The second UPPERCASE fabric collection imagined! Such is the case with this issue, which began many months ago will be released this fall by Windham Fabrics.

Please let your favourite fabric, quilt or craft shop with the loose idea to explore the topic of “creative adventure.” know that you’d like them to order it in!

It’s certainly a broad topic, but as I discovered with the help of my contributors and your wonderful reader submissions, there is a common thread. Whether our journey takes us to faraway terrain, through challenging times or through personal metamorphosis, we hold fast to our sense of direction: forward.

Through souvenirs gathered, postcards and letters home, sketchbook entries and travel snapshots, making maps and creating art: the act of documentation puts down roots. We mark our place in time and space, and create a map of our lives.

J A N I N E VA N G O O L

publisher, editor, designer

Join my newsletter for free content, bonus articles and behind-the-scenes peeks at the magazine:

uppercasemagazine.com/free Select the “All About YOU” checkbox to receive the weekend edition that features the talents of UPPERCASE readers from around the world.

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Share your work with the community by using the hashtag #uppercasereader.

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Contents IS S U E 3 4 J U L Y

/ AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017

PHOTO BY

WOMAN SHOPS WORLD Read about it on page 94.

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U P P E R C A S E

M IS C

A R T & D ESI G N 24

SK ETCHBOOK

India by Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Carolyn Gavin

EDITOR’S LET TER CONTRIBUTORS SU BSCRIPTIONS SNIPPETS COV ER ARTIS T

Laura Maxcy FAC TS

Globe Facts by Kerrie More AB ECEDARY

Getting from A to Z B EG INNINGS

Looking at Legacy Text by Melanie Falick Art by Andrea D’Aquino

10 11

12

Heather Day text and photos by Claire Dibble

ADV ENTURE

The Printed Walk

by Lindsay Schmittle T Y PE

Greetings from Postcards

by Kerrie More COLLEC TION

14

Vintage Big Letter Postcards GA LLERY

Postcard Submissions

by UPPERCASE readers EPHEMER A

PA RTICIPATE

Creativity on the Road

by UPPERCASE readers VINTAGE

Souvenir Plates

by Linzee Kull McCray

FINE PRINT

RECOLLEC TION

LIB R A RY

16

BOOK REPORT

18

SM A LL PRINT

The American Guide Series

by Jonathan Shipley

20

Cabin: Creativity after Loss illustrations by Venice Shone

HOB BY

Giants of the Prairies

by Brendan Harrison

46

94

52

54

Woman Shops World

by Jeanée Ledoux

100

TOOL S

60

68

COVET

114

FA B RIC

115

102

S TITCH

Setting Sail with Bettina Matzkuhn 58

110

112 113

The Magic of Yes

by Andrea Jenkins

Ruling Pens

by Joy Deneen photos by David M Riches

108

PEEPS

INS TAGR A M

CR A F T+ST Y L E CRE ATIVE C A REER

LET TERPRES S

Chris Fritton: The Itinerant Printer

The Civic Atlas

by Raymond Biesinger

Rebecca Solnit’s Infinite City

by Carolyn Fraser

38

FIELD TRIP

3 6 7 8

Denman&Gould Bonnie Christine

32

ILLUS TR ATION

Neil Gower

by Jane Audas

W EL C O M E

RE A DER S TUDIOS

GETAWAY

Interview with Kelly Dunwell of Purple Workbench story by MF Miller photos by Natasha Bardin

104

74

Did you know?

88

UPPERCASE IS AN INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE!

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THERE ARE NO PAID ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE MAGAZINE. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING A SUBSCRIPTION (AND TELL A FRIEND!).

THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF SUBSCRIBERS, WE’VE BEEN PUBLISHING SINCE 2009. |||

Thanks!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT UPPERCASEMAGAZINE.COM

UPPERCASE 201B –908, 17th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta Canada T2T 0A3 J A N I N E VA N G O O L publisher, editor, designer janine@uppercasemagazine com C U STO M E R S E RV I C E subscriptions, wholesale, online shop shop@uppercasemagazine com GLEN DRESSER customer service, writer, development shop@uppercasemagazine com CORREY BALDWIN copyeditor C O R E C O N T R I B U TO R S Jane Audas Correy Baldwin Andrea D’Aquino Melanie Falick Carolyn Fraser Joy Deneen Glen Dresser Brendan Harrison Andrea Jenkins Linzee Kull McCray Emily Orpin Christopher Rouleau Laura Tarrish

F E AT U R E D C O N T R I B U TO R

CL A I R E D I B B L E

Claire Dibble is a photographer, artist and writer with a curious mind, a penchant for time spent in the out of doors, and a rather serious travel habit. She uses her camera as an excuse to create connection and tune in to the wisdom, creativity and uniqueness of others, both on the road and closer to her home in Golden, British Columbia, Canada. ||| clairedibble.com

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR?

A D D I T I O N A L C O N T R I B U TO R S Laura Maxcy, Kerrie More, Jonathan Shipley, Jennifer Orkin Lewis, Carolyn Gavin, Claire Dibble, Chris Fritton, Lindsay Schmittle, Raymond Biesinger, Venice Shone, Jeanée Ledoux, David M Riches, MF Miller and Natasha Bardin Thank you to the everyone who submitted their artwork and stories to this issue’s open calls Keep on going with your creative adventures!

||| uppercasemagazine.com

Interior pages are printed on 100% postconsumer recycled Rolland Enviro 100 Printed in Canada by The Prolific Group.

J O N AT H A N S H I P L E Y

KERRIE MORE

Jonathan Shipley is a freelance writer living in Seattle Interested in arts, culture and food, his work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Fine Books Magazine, Gather Journal and other publications He is heading to Georgia and will undoubtedly read the American Guide Series during his travels to see if anything still rings true

Kerrie More is a school librarian struggling with too many creative interests as well as a stack of books she most likely will never finish Writing articles for U P P E R C A S E satisfies her compulsions for both researching and storytelling If she’s not working on her next project, she’s probably exploring nature through the lens of her camera

||| instagram.com/ shipleywriter

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U P P E R C A S E

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We publish timeless articles about creative and curious people and topics If you’re interested in working with us, the best place to start is by perusing the back issues to see what we’ve covered and to get a sense of the u p p e r c a s e style If you’re an artist, designer or crafter interested in being profiled, please submit your portfolio by following the instructions: ||| uppercase magazine.com/ participate

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NEWSLETTER

I N S TA G R A M Whether it’s a pictur e of a book proof from the printer or a snapsh ot of a sewing projec t in progress, there’ s always something colour ful and creative to see.

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U P P E R C A S E

PE E P S

One-of-a-kind glass-blown art inspired by bright colours, movement, playfulness and Mother Nature. Handmade with love in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Spark Your Creativity this summer with Online Art Classes in drawing, painting, mixed-media!

“Spark Summer” begins June 20th; free Kids Art Week begins July 24th. carlasonheim.com ||| Feathers, nests & lovely old books on greeting cards from my watercolour pencil drawings.

I’m also an urban sketcher— follow my weekly art blog. alissaduke.com |||

PRE-ORDER Creatives’ Cupboard Vol. 3 Like mixing spices, collaboration can create a depth of flavour or be a total disaster. Save $5 with code: PEEPSROCK crystalink.ca/shop ||| Visit Bluerock Gallery in July, August and September 2017, mention this “peep” and receive 10% off any purchase over $50!

With love to all artists!

bluerockgallery.ca/pages/ gallery-artists ||| Join us for a 3-day urban art retreat in Denver, Colorado.

15 instructors and over 35 different workshops! Art Makers Denver, September 24–26, 2017. artmakersdenver.com ||| To Asparagirl, the best big sister!

Thank you for teaching me to be unapologetic and proud of my passions. I love you and your moxie. ||| For those who love surprises!

You’ll find Romance, Fashion, Art, Travel, Cuisine and more at HandkerchiefHeroes.com. Enjoy our blogs/YouTube videos, and please share with friends.

Lettering illustration by S E TA Z A K I A N For advertising & editorial design, book covers, logos, packaging and many more applications.

Contact me for lettering commissions: szakian@setaprint.net! behance.net/setazakian ||| “A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.” —author unknown

Digital, print-ready file provided for use with your own in-house or local printer.

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renmeleon.com

merrittcraft.com |||

||| Gwen Lafleur Studios has a new online boutique featuring global eclectic arts & crafts supplies. UPPERCASE readers save 10% with code: UPPERCASE10

mygiantstrawberry.com/ sketchbookconversations

Messengers of Joy and Goodwill: bird prayer flags.

Show your wonder and awe of Mother Nature.

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INSPIRE.

Create habitat. Fly the flags.

C R E AT E S PA C E I N YO U R L I F E T O D O W H AT YO U L O V E .

merrycox.com |||

postmark1206.com

Do you work in sketchbooks?

Looking for artists for the Sketchbook Conversations blog series. Read the conversations so far and email me for details: anne@ mygiantstrawberry.com.

Just to make you smile…

It’s the little things That make the big things

Get more with stationery that starts a conversation from Riddle Me Mail and Postmark 1206.

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Sending love out to the world & wishing creative flow for fellow artists.

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S E E PA I N T I N G S C R E AT E D B E F O R E THE SUN SHINES E A C H M O R N I N G.

POSSIBLE

Learn how print & pattern design are funding my 5-Year Plan

E NJ OY.

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kimmyerssmith.com

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My Original Photographs with Inspirational Quotes on note cards.

Food for thought. Other size photos available upon request. See them all at hohmsteadsue.etsy.com.

My super-secret happy place has rainbows, unicorns, puffy clouds, sunny days, orange cats and colourful flowers!

Oh, and ice cream. And elephants, too. Curious?

sue@hohmsteaddesign.com

bit.ly/glstudiossupplies

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Crush Illustration Collective

kim Johnson studios

Eight illustrators who have come together to support and challenge each other.

Surface Design, Fine Art & Illustration. kimjohnsonstudios.com |||

Hello friends!

I invite you to follow my illustrative journey! eddienfriends.com @eddienfriends ||| Super kawaii decorative objects for you to use and enjoy! Handcrafted, kokeshi-inspired ceramic dolls by Jennifer Fujimoto. jenniferfujimoto.com |||

handkerchiefheroes.com/ category/blog-posts

I draw birds, creatures and people as I would like to see them, or as I see them or dream them in my mind.

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johnajunge.com

mariaidadesigns.etsy.com

theownerbuilder.com.au

Getting mail feels good.

Custom greeting cards, invitations and announcements, thank-you and all-occasion cards.

||| I just graduated from design school and am always looking for new inspiration and feedback!

My portfolio and print shop are linked in my Instagram.

Follow @crushillustration to see what we get up to next! crushillustration.com |||

@erinpollocoff

Illustrator and surface designer colouring your world and bringing words of hope.

Join my newsletter and download a free colouring page of my original art. Thanks! darleneseale.com ||| For scrap-friendly PDF Quilt patterns that encourage you to shop your stash first, visit Daydreams of Quilts and use code UPPERCASE25 for 25% off! daydreamsofquilts.com |||

franmasonillustration.com

||| Join Celia Pym & Richard McVetis at Les Soeurs Anglaises in SW France for a unique Embroidery & Mending workshop this September. 5% discount for UPPERCASE readers! lessoeursanglaises.com ||| Member of the Chartered Society of Designers. Expert logo designer for small to mediumsized companies. 10% off for UPPERCASE readers.

Check out my portfolio! seventy-three.co.uk/portfolio

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C O V E T

THE MAGIC OF YES PHOTO AND STORY BY

W 544

Andrea Jenkins

e’d been on the road for a week. We had bid farewell to Portland, Oregon, a city we had called home for seven years, and were slowly making our way across the country back to Atlanta, Georgia. Our eighth day found us in Palm Springs, driving down wide streets lined with towerPAT T E R N S ing, lanky palm trees and homes the colour of easter eggs. The kids had been patient enough, but they were ready to be done.

Truth be told, we were all ready to be done, we were exhausted— and precariously perched on the edge of a full family meltdown.

PA G E S

850

trash we could not help but look down. Chunks of palm tree, glittery glassy bits, flattened soda cans from decades past, a porcelain toilet, a few old tires, a flannel shirt, a broken-down brocade couch. The deeper we wandered, the stranger the items, and the more excited we became. Collections were started, possibilities discussed. What could we fit in the car? I don’t know how long we went on like this— hours, it seemed.

The wind picked up just then, the last of the honey light fell over my daughter, and I shot what would become my most treasured photograph of the year, perhaps of all time. As if on cue, a train screamed But the light turned golden just then. And five short blocks from past and the wind from it snatched the polaroid right out of my VOLUME “F” IN We THEranUPPERCASE ENCYCLOPEDIA OFtoINSPIRATION the Motel 6 and the promise of a swimming pool, I remembered the hands. for it, the four of us, scrambling catch it before it diswindmills. appeared. That same wind whipped my hair into my eyes and sand U P P E R C We A S Ewere so close to calling it a day—we could practically sacks are the perfect example of a utilitarian smell the chlorine—but I threw the idea out there anyway: we should eed into my mouth, picked up the edges of my skirt andproduct flipped it over intoagain something beautiful.

Author Kull McCray see the windmill farm. Remarkably, the children did not put up much turned my head and again.

I should haveLinzee been frantic, I should have the history of the Instead, humble Ifeed from aand plain of a fight. (No one had much fight left.) With the offer of a detour, the explores been absolutely miserable. couldsack, only laugh stumble in mood in the car softened. Yes, we said, against our better judgement. burlap or cotton sack toof exuberantly patterned colourful the direction the tumbling polaroid.and The truth is,bags I hadthat never been Yes, despite how tired and sticky and sweaty we were. Yes to thewere mys-repurposed happier, into never felt more intoxicated.

What was this strange, frocks, aprons and quilts by thrifty housewives beautiterious windmills just outside the city: yes. place we20th werecentury. lost in, anyway? did we end up here? in the firstful half of the ExtensiveHow imagery and at-scale re-

F

A multi-volume book set productions these fabricshangs createon anmy inspiring sourcebook of pattern Ten minutes later we found ourselves at the edge of town, standing Theofphotograph wall now.

Every time I look at it, I released in whimsical (non-alphabetical) in the middle oforder a desert wasteland, sandwiched between a stretch remember that evening, that light. That unexpected and colour—and offer a welcome visit golden to a slower-paced way of life. desert all manner of ofonhighway and a strip of train track. There were canyons to the right wasteland treasure hunt and the polaroid that went flying towards intriguing topics. ||| uppercasemagazine.com/feedsacks

of us and a sea of giant, bone-white windmills to the left, an endless, impossible chorus. And below us was a desert floor so littered with 114

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U P P E R C A S E

the windmills. That is what adventure looks like, I think. That is what happiness feels like. That is the magic of Yes.

F A B R I C

The UPPERCASE Volume 2 fabric collection uses the magazine’s masthead and spine patterns as the starting point of beautiful fabric designs. Repeated motifs of dots, dashes and diamonds make up this pretty graphic collection—with a little vintage feed sack inspiration thrown in as well!

UPPERCASE (PAPER) QUILT BLOCK CHALLENGE Whether you’re a quilter or not, everyone is invited to play with pattern. Download and print the pdf to play with the patterns from UPPERCASE Volume 2: Dots, Dashes and Diamonds. Design an original or traditional quilt block or use the patterns to create a collage. Take a square photo of your creation and share on Instagram with the hashtag #uppercaseblock. Together, we’ll create a quilt design based on reader submissions. I’ll award some fabric to the favourites. Have fun! uppercasemagazine.com/fabric

The second UPPERCASE fabric collection will be released this fall by Windham Fabrics.

Please let your favourite fabric, quilt or craft shop know that you’d like them to order it in!

windhamfabrics.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

greetings globes dragons dishes India itinerant Ulysses atlas guide Gower ruling risk ON THE COVER ARTWORK BY LAURA MAXCY

UPPERCASE IS ADS FREE! |||

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