Closed for a few days

Sorry, we're going to be closed this Friday afternoon through Tuesday. (On Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, you can visit Jenny's booth at the Make It show to purchase a copy of UPPERCASE magazine.) Early next week I will be press-checking Camilla's book and then we're open again on Wednesday, November 11. I'll post some progress pictures from Winnipeg!

Subscriptions and orders in the online shop will ship on Wednesday.

'Wild Things' Inspire

After watching the movie Where the Wild Things Are I was inspired to buy the soundtrack and after a thousand plus listens all I want to do in life is write a song as gloriously simple and affecting as 'Worried Shoes' (track 4 for fellow listeners). I wonder how many others felt the same?

I thought this was the genius of Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) but it turns out that Karen O & the Kids are covering Daniel Johnston. I had long heard of the myth, and the madness, of Daniel Johnston but deliberately shied away on account of the darkness. This is the first time I've encountered the raw beauty of his lyrics. Sold.

So now, thanks to 'WTWTA' I am also inspired to watch 'The Devil and Daniel Johnston' (2006) an acclaimed documentary celebrating Johnston's complex life and art. Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Visual artists have also taken inspiration from Where the Wild Things Are. I spoke to the talented artist, and UPPERCASE magazine contributor, Stefanie Augustine about the film and her personal creation "Wild Things" (pictured above).

"I loved the movie. It felt like a rare gift in the midst of so many bad movies out there -  really beautiful and refreshing. I had the urge to paint after seeing the movie, but even more so I had the urge to build things out of sticks!! (which I didn't actually do), but it makes you feel like, why don't we build things for fun more often?" Good question.

The artwork that Stefanie did make after seeing 'WTWTA' was directly inspired by the film's colors and her curiousity to see how the characters would work in a collage style. Scratchy whimsy are the words I find to describe her unique vision and style. Love it!

To see more of Stefanie Augustine's original creations and her client work, visit her website here. Thanks for sharing Stefanie!

Make It: the handmade revolution

The latest crafty event starts today at 4pm. The Make It show highlights handmade items from Canadian urban artisans and designers. In addition to my favourites (Amy Victoria Wakefield photography at top, Paige Smith Designs, middle and Amber Leigh fashions, above) there are many more to discover. Click here to get a 2 for 1 admission coupon.

UPPERCASE will be closed this Saturday for the Make It show: visit Jenny's booth and see the lovely things she's made for the show! Our magazine will be available as well.

It's First Thursday!

Head on down to Art Central this evening from 5-9pm for First Thursday fun + Art Central's FIFTH birthday party featuring Regalia, a wearable art fashion show. Lots of other activities as well.

In UPPERCASE, we have new daytimers, journals and eclectonotes, pocket mirrors, Christmas cards by Regional Assembly of Text and plenty of great design books. Issue 3 of the the magazine is available as well. (Our subscribers get 15% off on First Thursdays!)

We've held over the Bonfire show and great work by Lisa Congdon, Blair Kelly and Mariko! are still available.

Camilla: desktop calendar

Counting down the days before you can hold a freshly printed The Suitcase Series: Camilla Engman book in your hands? (I know I am! should be just a couple weeks now.) Why not download this lovely desktop calendar by Camilla over on Design*Sponge.

Silkscreening with Alanna Cavanagh

Illustrator Alanna Cavanagh is also a printmaker (and contributor to UPPERCASE magazine. She interviewed Olaf Hajek in our current issue and we can look forward to another of her illustrator interviews in issue 4.) Visit Alanna's blog for shots of her current prints-in-progress.

Camilla book progress

I'm looking at book proofs this morning! It is so exciting to see the book at this stage—I'm looking forward to going to Printcrafters in Winnipeg for the press check of the book early next week. {UPPERCASE gallery will be closed on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 while I'm out of town.}

Brainstorm

A Design Mafia and Brainstorm Print and Design are pleased to announce their 'Show Us Your Brainstorm' event. Prizes include stickers, free prints, and the opportunity to be involved in the creation of a limited edition print that will be sold in the Brainstorm online store. 20% of the proceeds from those sales will go to the Friends of the Earth organization.

Sam Weber

The Alberta College of Art & Design (ACAD) welcomes Sam Weber, internationally acclaimed illustrator and ACAD alumnus, as part of the Design Talk Series from our Visual Communications Design major. Weber's work has been featured in the New Yorker, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Playboy, SPIN, Flaunt, The Walrus and Business Week, and he has created illustrations for Sony/BMG, Herman Miller, Wired Penguin, ESPN, Random House, The Folio Society and DC/Vertigo Comics. After graduating from ACAD, Weber continued to New York, and received his graduate degree at the School of Visual Arts. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

ACAD is proud to present Sam Weber on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Stanford Perrott Lecture Hall at ACAD (1407 - 14 Avenue NW Calgary). No admission charge.

Stencils: Just can't get enough!

{Reese's Graphic Arts}