UPPERCASE #68
January-February-March 2026

Dear Reader,
What makes human-made art so wonderful and inimitable? The heart, hand and personality of the person who makes it. And that’s why, as creatives, we are resisting the onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI) in favour of authentic intelligence and artistic intuition.
We are not machines! We exist in the natural world, one made of physical elements. The classic four elements—earth, water, air and fire—have long been themes and metaphors in visual art.
FIRE
Our ideas ignite from a creative spark. Fire symbolizes energy, transformation, confidence and persistence.
WATER
Creative flow transports us and our ideas; like water, we are fluid and adaptable.
AIR
We share our ideas through words and images. Like air, art is universal, all-encompassing and necessary for life.
EARTH
Like roots networked in the earth, we are grounded in our shared humanity; we support each other. We grow, together.
These are the elements of creativity.
Janine Vangool
publisher / editor / designer
