RISO Artist of the Month Sarula

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

My name is Sarula, and I run a small press/riso studio called Endless Editions, through which I direct the Brooklyn Art Book Fair. We are located in NYC. I also work as faculty and lead technician at the SVA RisoLAB, NYC.

How long have you been in the art industry?

I’ve been a practicing artist since I graduated from RISD in 2016.

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

I first learned how to riso print in 2017 when I joined Endless Editions as a volunteer. So about 8 years!

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

My favorite colors are Bright Olive Green and Fluorescent Orange! I love a lot of very specific combinations as well, including Orchid and Fluorescent Orange. They make a lot of very nice, warm magentas. Another favorite combo is Light Teal and Bright Red, which also creates a great range of tones and browns.

Why RISOGRAPHY?

The reasons for choosing the riso are endless! Primarily, I love the quality of riso ink. It’s painterly, bright and saturated in a way that exists outside of the color range that commercial process CMYK printing can give us. That’s the beauty of spot color printing! Because each ink is applied separately, and has a transparent quality, we can use the risograph as a color mixing tool. By mixing our own colors, we can maximize the effectiveness of our artwork, and really make an impact, whether it’s using the pure, most saturated ink, or creating a range of tones with a limited palette. Riso naturally comes with limitations regarding the number of inks you can or SHOULD use, which allows us to become artists with a stronger mastery and understanding of color. What colors look good together? How can I create a stronger image, using just two colors? The riso is never an exact representation of your original artwork- it’s a translation. Through its unique characteristics and limitations, it creates something new, which is very exciting! The riso is an art making tool that encourages exploration, adaptability, and not being too precious with your own work- traits that I believe all great artists should cultivate. Beyond artistic exploration, the riso is also more cost effective than other printers, more environmentally friendly, and can print up to 130 prints per minute, making it a great choice for zine makers.

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

I would tell them to try it, or just look at more riso printed work! If riso is not available in your city, you can order riso printed media such as prints and publications online. Cameras and scanners cannot fully capture the colors and quality. Try to go to an art book/zine fair, you will be sure to find riso printed work there! I think many creatives, regardless of trade- whether that’s fine art, illustration, writing and poetry, research, graphic design, political organizing, photography, etc. can find the riso a useful tool to explore their artistic practice, in particular if they are interested in making and distributing printed media. Riso is not necessarily the favorite of perfectionists, but for that reason, I think it’s a great chance for them to exercise and release control over their work. They may learn many lessons through the unpredictability and limitations of the riso, that will allow them to become stronger artists in their given field.

Upcoming Events:

I’ll be at MoCCA tabling with the SVA RisoLAB, and will be on a panel as well on Saturday, March 15th, “Professional Development: I’ve Graduated, Now What?” My small press, Endless Editions will be organizing riso printing, zine making events and workshops/programs throughout the year as well! We also organize the Brooklyn Art Book Fair, which features 50 – 60 artists and small presses, multiple programs and workshops and other special events. You can stay updated on our social media here and here.

Website Links:

https://www.sarula-bao.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bao___haus
https://www.instagram.com/endlesseditions/
https://www.instagram.com/brooklynartbookfair/