RISO Artist of the Month Kestrel Tseng

What is your name and the name of your organization/location?

My name is Kestrel Tseng and I operate Bird in Hand Press, a RISO & MiScreen printshop, workshop space and print focused design studio located in Santa Barbara, California, USA.

How long have you been in the art industry?

I started working in the art industry in 2016 after graduating from Art Center College of Design. Around the end of 2019 I began working as a designer and printer at a small letterpress & commercial digital print shop. This experience was invaluable in making me fall in love with print making!

How long have you been using RISO duplicators and the method of RISOGRAPHY?

My first contact with RISO printing was through a four week online course during the pandemic. The printing was done by the instructor, Zach Clark, in Oakland at his studio, but the process of designing and subsequently receiving prints was magical. In 2023 with the support of Albert McCartney and the wonderful team at RISO Studio Art, I became certified as a RISO Print Technician and later in the same year acquired my own RISO printer from them.

What are some of your favorite colors to use with a duplicator?

My favorite current colors are Kelly Green, Aqua and Florescent Pink.

Why RISOGRAPHY?

From an arts instructor standpoint, RISOGRAPHY is an intuitive print form that encourages experimentation and it’s “office printer” shape make it feel very approachable for students of all ages. Beyond it’s educational merits, RISOGRAPHY is a beautiful bridge between the digital and analog world. Being able to easily transfer digital artwork into a beautiful analog print format, while also keeping printing costs accessible, is something not many other print formats can offer.

What would you tell people who are just finding out about RISO Duplicators and the art form of RISOGRAPHY?

Don’t be afraid to try it, even if it’s starting with an online course! RISO printers have a scanner bed so you can even create prints without ever touching a computer. Don’t feel bogged down by color separation at the beginning, there are many tutorials and free programs that can help you learn that process. Try to embrace the analog imperfections of the medium in the beginning, let RISOGRAPHY surprise and inspire you with it’s results.

Upcoming Events:

On November 16th, 2024, Off Register: Santa Barbara Art Book and Print Fair will have it’s inaugural debut, with 61 artist, publishers and printers gathering for a wonderful day of celebrating print making. The fair, of which I am a co-organizer, will feature panel talks throughout the day, as well as live printing demos, a small gallery exhibit, food and music. For more details please visit offregistersb.org, we hope to see you at the fair!

Website Links:

You can find me on Instagram @birdinhandpress and my website at birdinhandpress.com