Yeah, I know, magazines on paper are “so yesterday.” Right?

In my opinion, not so fast.

A handful of years ago, maybe five, a friend introduced me to Uppercase Magazine, a completely ad-free quarterly devoted to art and artists of all kinds. Published, designed, and printed in Alberta, Canada by this amazing woman named Janine Vangool, the pages are vibrant, inspiring, sometimes provocative (in the sense of “how the heck did she make that?), and thoroughly enjoyable.

My friend had me at “ad-free.”

I haven’t fallen this much in love with a magazine since Seventeen promised to teach me how to iron my hair flat.

Some of the featured artists are professionals with years of experience. Some are just sticking their toes into the artsy waters. Some are experimenting with different mediums–sometimes inventing their own–while others are pushing the boundaries of more traditional arts such as embroidery, paper making and mosaic.

Each seasonal issue has a different theme. For example, issue number 68 landed in my mailbox on New Year’s Eve, and its theme is the four elements—earth, air, fire and water. (I’ve honestly never understood why we need more than four elements, do you? I mean, I’m way past the test-taking time of my life.) Other issues have focused on the medium of paper or nature journaling. The themes are meant to be elastic and eclectic so you can’t be sure exactly what you’ll find inside.

Vangool also publishes a series of books, the Encyclopedia of Inspiration. Each volume is dedicated to one particular medium and some of the choices are surprising. For example, the latest is titled Glue. Its focus is mainly collage with colorful artists and work that will amaze you.

I own a half dozen of the encyclopedia so far, and really savor them while I read. And then they journey to the desk in my studio so I can relish their inspiration.

So yep, I’m a fan, and I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about this treasure. And to finish up, below you’ll find a piece by Wendy MacNaughton, illustrator and founder of the delightful art place for kids called Draw Together. (Yeah, they have space for adults too.) It’s on the back cover of the latest issue of Uppercase, and it’s important to share this because we really need YOUR creativity. If you add yours to mine and then we add ours to theirs, how much of the world can we change for the better?

Let’s find out, shall we?