Alex Luciano is an illustrator, printmaker, Risograph enthusiast, and one-half of the indie pop duo Diet Cig. She was born and raised in New York, but currently lives in Richmond, VA, where she prints and teaches between her home and Studio Two Three, a nonprofit community studio.
Originally designed as a stencil duplicator in the 1980s, the Riso has been reclaimed and is celebrated by artists and small press publishers today. Luciano is often inspired by inspired by “finding new ways to manipulate the machine’s limited palette of (often fluorescent) plant-based inks,” as well as “3D weirdness and cartoons.” In addition to her own printing and teaching, she offers freelance Riso printing services for other artists and enjoys being a part of bringing their visions to life. She also boasts that she “never graduated college :~)”
When she’s not tinkering inside a Riso or playing music, you can most likely find her wrangling her puppy, Cowboy. She likes to listen to Superorganism, Indigo De Souza, and Do Make Say Think while working.
Check out Luciano’s online store and follow her on Instagram to keep up to date on the IRL and virtual Riso courses.