30 Mar RISO Artist of the Month Sapphic Sun
Meet RISO’s March’s Artist of the Month
What is your name and the name of your organization/location?
The Sapphic Sun, St. Petersburg, FL
- Alexis Thompson (she/they), Lead Designer
- Sara Rocks (she/her), Lead Printer
How long have you been in the art industry?
The Sapphic Sun has been RISO printing monthly editions since October of 2024 (1.5 years)
- Sara has been creating multimedia art and zines for 8 years and RISO printing for 3 years
- Alexis has been working as a graphic designer and photographer for the past 5 years, and has been with The Sapphic Sun since December 2024.
How long have you been using RISO duplicators and the method of RISOGRAPHY?
The Sapphic Sun has been RISO printing monthly editions at our local print studio, Print St. Pete since October of 2024 (1.5 years)
What are some of your favorite colors to use with a duplicator?
The true triple threat has to be aqua, fluorescent pink and yellow! That color palette is a dream for creating beautiful and vibrant prints.
Why RISOGRAPHY?
The choice to RISO print our monthly publication of The Sapphic Sun is an intentional one. Rather than outsourcing printing or using a different method, RISO printing our newspapers ourselves every month reflects the DIY ethos of the project itself. Its vibrant colors and textures allow us to be creative and experimental in design and add artistic value to each issue, as every single one is unique due to slight registration quirks. The Risograph is also a very sustainable option using soy-based inks and much less energy than other printing methods. Lastly, supporting our local print studio is very important to us, it serves as a major pillar in the community, offering workshops and connecting people and artists together.
What would you tell people who are just finding out about RISO Duplicators and the artform of RISOGRAPHY?
Try it! It’s such an awesome way to produce art, and the possibilities are endless.
Website Links:
Website: SapphicSunFL.com
Instagram: @sapphicsunfl
Sara: @sara_the_sprout
Alexis: @alexisthompsss