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Focal Point: Off to Glasgow with RISOTTO

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It's February, it's cold and summer seems a long way away. But Gabriella and the wonderful RISOTTO Studio are injecting sunshine into otherwise grey days with bold and playful prints. Grab your sunglasses and let's soak up the colour. 

Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do for a living

I’m Gabriella Marcella, a graphic artist based in sunny Glasgow. I juggle running RISOTTO - a risograph print specialist - with various design commissions that generally involve decorating objects and surfaces with colourful and playful patterns!

I set up RISOTTO because of my desire to own the means of production and being able to play and experiment with processes at my fingertips has had a big influence on my work. The risograph is the perfect print machine as it encourages experimentation, quick outputs and a wonderfully limited ink spectrum.

I also work solo on commissions that have included store art for Dr Martens. I’m currently working on the art direction for a huge Indian folk-art exhibition launching in Tramway this summer.

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There’s lots of brilliant colour in your work. We take it colour is important to you?

Colour is a very instinctive part of my process. I approach most briefs with the desire to create something that is cheerful, playful and - most importantly - accessible to all.

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What does your design studio look like? What's in there to inspire you?

The studio is plastered with the posters and oddities I’ve been collecting for years. I don’t put anything in drawers or boxes, instead I line every surface with things which then creates more ledges and shelves I can add to. It’s an inside-out approach and I dread the day I have to move! Papers and inks take up half the room and I have a substantial collection of 1960s plastic-office gear to hide all the boring paperwork.

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The Poster Wall on your website is brilliant. Tell us more about it!

My best friend, Brendan Bennett, is the brains behind the fun animations and designs on both my websites. One day he commented on the studio’s physical attributes and suggested we present it online. Et voila, the Poster Wall was born!

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RISOTTO works across a lot of different mediums, do you have a preferred?

Paper will always be number one because of its affordability and tactility. But recently I’ve enjoyed exploring new materials and scales of working. Maybe it’s because it’s new territory, or maybe it’s because of the opportunities on offer, either way, the idea of wrapping something gigantic up in bright colours and patterns gives me butterflies.

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If you could work anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Glasgow is proving to be an ideal base camp. It has a wealth of new talent, a very supportive creative community and affordable studios. I’m so pleased to have been able to set up RISOTTO there and the city has provided me so many opportunities.

I’m currently working in Sri Lanka and then I’m travelling on to India to finish a textile project though. If these sorts of trips continue then I’ll be on cloud 9. The extra vitamin D is also a substantial bonus!

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