We're in December again ❄️
woah that was fast
Hello readers!
We’re settling into the winter season and getting ready for our final trip of the year to New York City, where we’ll host a Riso Animation Workshop at lucky risograph. Can’t wait to eat nyc bagels, check out the new Secret Riso Club bookstore in Bushwick and swing by Desert Island before they move to a new location.
2024 has been the busiest year for Zine Hug yet. After skipping out on traveling and fairs during the pandemic, we’ve participated in 21 festivals and hosted 11 risograph workshops across 5 states and 3 countries. We’ve met hundreds of people checking out our work and we’re excited to keep the momentum going into 2025.
A topic of conversation that has come up a lot for us this year has been balancing professional work and personal work. It’s actually a pretty consistent discussion we have every year! How can we keep the creative spark alive to fuel our personal projects? This year, the answer is out of necessity.
Freelance animation work comes in waves and it often feels like feast or famine. After the pandemic boom of animated content, it has felt like a famine for many animation workers out there. Generative AI rearing its many fingers has also caused existential dread and lots of questioning about the future of making a living as an artist.
This is where Zine Hug saved us from spiraling into doom. During our down time, we worked on animation designed to be risograph printed, made new comics and zines, and spent time finding places that we could exhibit our printed work. Continuing to make art for ourselves has helped us to survive the insanity of 2024 and to understand that people are looking to interact with tactile art made by humans. Many have expressed love for the imperfections that risograph printing is famous for.
The risograph and indie bookmaking community has also been a saving grace this year. There is so much turmoil in the world and we’ve felt really lucky to be able to appreciate the good things in life with friends. We’ve helped to organize Bookluck, a bookmaker potluck, hosted hangouts for riso printers after ECCC, Seattle Art Book Fair (applications open until 12/31), and Short Run, and we’re helping out with Goodnight Market at Reclaim Clay in Chinatown this Monday, 12/9.
We’ve also been trying to make it out to Sketcherz, a weekly drawing meetup at Holy Mountain in Phinney Ridge, every Tuesday night. It’s great to gather with other artists to spend time drawing and talk about what we’re working on. It’s super fun! Join us if you’re in the area, or start a drawing meetup in your own town!
December Events
December 5 - 8: East Bay Print Sale, Berkeley, CA
This is a huge print sale hosted by Tiny Splendor at Max’s Garage Press!
December 7 + 8: Punk Rock Flea Market, Seattle, WA
We’ll be there on Saturday and Sunday in the Zine Alley, Table 89.
December 9: Goodnight Market, Seattle, WA
Hosted by Reclaim Clay Collective in Chinatown from 5pm-9pm on Monday evening
December 15: Print N Play Riso Animation Workshop, Brooklyn, NY
Our final workshop of the year at the lovely studio of lucky risograph in Dumbo.
Holiday Shopping Reccs
We have a few recommendations for those still looking for holiday gifts. We are including books, objects, and workshops from small risograph studios!
The Tiger Moth Candle from Bearbear - Everyone loves a candle. We have been burning this in our home lately and it smells so good!
Seeds of Hope Print from Issue Press - A beautiful risograph print illustrated by Kim Nguyen. All proceeds from the sale of this print are donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Magical Girl Transformation 2025 Calendar from Cram Books - Throwing another calendar into the ring, featuring illustrations from different artists for each month.
Taking Care of Yourself as an Artist Publisher from ANEMONE - A great guide for aspiring and seasoned bookmakers, including tips on how to pay attention to what your body needs during bookmaking, improving your process, and enjoying it more.
Riso Animation Workshop at Paper Press Punch - For those looking to gift an experience rather than material goods. Join us for our first workshop of 2025 at the studio of Paper Press Punch in Georgetown, Seattle.
And you can always check out our shop or distro to browse risograph comics and zines. We’ll include our Peace on Earth card (pictured at the top of this post) in every order. The last shipping date of the year for us is December 13th!
Until next year,
❄️Alex & Zack❄️
That holiday card is pure joy!