There is something about printing with riso that feels remarkably similar to embroidery. They share a tactile and hands-on quality that is deeply satisfying to make.
There are bright colours (obviously!) and how they interact with each other. Layers and textures waiting to be explored. It's a hands-on process; no matter how professional and skilled you are, the human always finds a way to shine through.
The more I print with riso, the more I realise the uniqueness of each piece. In a world churning with quick digital content, what I love about the printing process is how a digital image takes a life of its own. There is no room for expectations and perfectionism—just texture and colour, thousands of vibrant dots interacting to create an image that gently glows.
I have printed two Risographs with my friend Candice, at DreamPress. She is a master, spilling with ideas and talent.
My first print Suburban was based on an image I created with Adam Vinokur while riding a bike around Johannesburg, hunting for flowers.
My second is based on my embroidery Catching Feels which was made with watercolour and embroidery. It has been reworked into a neon / crushed value artwork that holds its own as a print, thanks to the skills of DreamPress.
Between these two, I created a 4-colour and glitter screen print for my Backyard Barbie kits and one for Acid Reign. I love using riso for my kit collateral, to add another layer of tangibility to them.
