Artist Spotlight: How Charlotte Done Spreads Riso Joy to Local Artists!
When you walk up the stairs at Good Things Studios you may be greeted by the rumbling, hum drum of a curious machine, leading you to a small room with colourful prints and posters spilling out all over the walls. If you ventured to take a peek inside the door, you would no doubt find yourself astonished and in awe at the vibrant splendour of The Morecambe Riso Press. At least this was my experience when first encountering the riso room. When I first came to Good Things Collective and met Charlotte I was more than a little intrigued. The air of mystery that surrounded the riso press stirred my creative curiosity and demanded investigation. I had heard of riso printing but knew very little about it and as an artist, I was very eager to be able to explore a new method of making art. I must admit that it took me longer than it should to sign myself up for an induction workshop, but once I finally did I was hooked!
The Magic of riso printing cannot be understated. I’ve written a separate blog post on The Morecambe Riso Press website here, where you can read all about what riso printing is and why it’s so brilliant. A huge part of what has made mine and many others' riso journey so special however has been the person who keeps it all up and running, Charlotte Done. Charlotte is an illustrator, zine expert and certified sorceress of all things riso. If you’ve ever printed with Charlotte then you know what a warm and encouraging companion she is on your printing endeavors. She shows genuine interest in whatever projects you're working on and is always there to offer guidance and advice when you need it. Having collaborated on multiple projects with Charlotte myself, I can attest that her creativity, knowledge and gentle guidance means you’re in safe hands when printing at The Morecambe Riso Press, and that you needn’t be nervous to give riso printing a try if you find yourself wanting to. My first riso printing project was a publication for Good Things Collective that I co-created with Charlotte. The project was an amazing opportunity, kick-starting my love of riso and catapulting my creative career into exciting new directions. This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Charlotte and I can honestly say, without hyperbole, that the mentorship she gave me then has changed my life.
Charlotte’s skills go far beyond her printing expertise however. Yes, she is the learned keeper of the riso machine and solemn guide for those wishing to learn its mysterious ways, but she is also an extremely talented designer and illustrator. All of that strong branding you see on The Morecambe Riso Press website and in the riso room is designed by Charlotte. She puts a lot of work into making sure the coolness and fun of The Morecambe Riso Press is conveyed in its visual identity. If you know Charlotte you know she is also an avid zine maker, she’s designed and illustrated loads of beautiful publications some of which are available to purchase. She even co-founded the ML (Morecambe Lancaster) Zine Library which lives at The Gregson Community Arts Centre. Here you can also attend the monthly Zine Club and experience some of Charlotte's beautiful work for yourself while you consume, appreciate and even create zines of your own. Charlotte understands the benefits and importance of DIY self publishing and has built that into her creative practice. Her work often includes cute creature design, foody themes and retro aesthetics, inspired by Morecambe and its history. It’s always a treat to see her experimenting with the riso printer, using bold colours, shapes and layering to bring her illustrations and designs to life.
Charlotte has described her job at The Morecambe Riso Press as “the most fun with the most beautiful view I’ve ever had” and truly the beauty found in the riso room is unmatched. Not only does it have the best view of Morecambe Bay in the house, where on crisp winter days you get a clear view across at the snow capped peaks of Cumbria, but even the room itself is stunning. The walls are covered floor to ceiling in colourful riso prints by local artists who have all printed there over the few years. The alumni there are vast and it’s wonderful to see so many of them represented in the riso room. What I didn’t appreciate when I first started printing there was how special it is for artists to have access to a machine like this outside of a major city. Having such an incredible print making tool accessible to local artists is no small thing and I would encourage anyone seeing this, who is an artist local to the area to book yourself onto an induction and give it a go. Even if it doesn’t end up being for you, the workshops run by Charlotte are a delight and a great way to spend a Saturday engaged in some creative fun!
I asked a few of Charlotte's regular patrons and collaborators to say a few words about riso printing and working with Charlotte, and unsurprisingly they were all too happy to have the opportunity to gush about their experience. Here’s what they had to say:
Angelica - @angelica.vanasse
“Morecambe Riso Press is a very special place & I am so pleased that I’ve been able to connect with Charlotte creatively as a part of it over the past year. My intro to riso printing session last June brought me over to Good Things and the riso press for the first time and it has become a new creative home & community for me. Charlotte has created a space that is vibrant, calming, inspiring, joyful and welcoming in equal measure. As an artist it has opened up a new treasure trove of possibilities for me to learn about riso, and Charlotte has been a wonderful guide on my journey - bringing warmth, clarity and lots of support to realizing the ideas I share and work to figure out each time I print. It’s beautiful to see how an artist has created a space for others to connect to creative tools, ideas and new skills that are so rooted in their own practice.
Morecambe Riso Press is a container filled with colour, creativity, great conversation, delicious snacks, good company and all of the ingredients that are needed to find connection, a creative community and new ways of thinking as an artist. I’m very grateful to Charlotte for creating and holding this space as a twinkling beacon of curiosity, riso gorgeousness and artistic activism by the sea in Morecambe.”
Molly - @molly.bland
"My favourite thing about Morecambe Riso Press is checking out what exciting new tricks have been discovered by everyone using it as we all develop our knowledge of its process together. There is always something new to "ooh" and "aah" over on the wall each time I walk into the room."
Iona - @dumbgirlstuff
“I had been interested in getting to know more about riso printing for a while, but assumed it was something I’d have to travel to Manchester or London to do, so when I found out about the workshops at Morecambe Riso Press I booked on, and I haven’t looked back.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, I wouldn’t have considered myself arty or ever called myself a printer, but the introductory workshop was perfect; just a small group of people learning to use the printer and getting to take home their work at the end of the day. I was so proud of what I’d made, and couldn’t believe I’d brought an idea to life in print!
Morecambe Riso Press is such a welcoming environment, and Charlotte strikes the perfect balance of encouraging you to learn and do it yourself but is on hand for any help you might need (which is great for me)! I aim to get to Morecambe and print as often as I can, I find it such a restorative, resetting experience to be by the sea, spend a few hours at the printer and see my ideas come to life.
It’s brilliant to see a community spot for creatives that’s open to everybody, and the hard work that goes into running it paying off. I never feel like I have to be someone I’m not when I show up to the riso press, or like there are invisible standards that I need to meet to be part of it. I can just turn up as I am on the day, and I always learn or create something new (sometimes even both).
Charlotte has helped give me the confidence to just show up and create, without having to have a fully formed idea or something that’s “perfect”, and Morecambe Riso Press is the perfect place to do just that. I honestly can’t recommend it enough, so if you’ve been thinking about visiting or booking a workshop, this is your sign.”
Well there you have it! I challenge you to go and give riso printing there a try and not fall in love with the experience. Whether it’s with the exciting printing process itself or just getting to spend a few hours in a vibrant room with a gorgeous view and Charlotte's wonderful company. It’s safe to say that if you hear that rumbling, hum drum of the riso machine, you certainly won’t regret, taking a peek through the door and experiencing the vibrant splendour of The Morecambe Riso Press.