Generative art · Utrecht

Patterns written in code, printed by hand.

I write algorithms in Processing and turn what they draw into risograph prints and organic-cotton clothing, in small numbered editions.

Shop on Etsy How it's made
Wavy Lines, a green and orange A3 risograph print

From a line of code to a numbered print

  1. 01 / codeAn algorithm drawsEvery design starts as a sketch in Processing: rules, randomness, and a lot of tweaking.
  2. 02 / layersSplit into coloursThe output is separated into layers, one for each ink drum.
  3. 03 / risoPrinted by handLayer by layer on a risograph. Small shifts make every print slightly different.
  4. 04 / editionNumbered, then gonePrints come in editions of 10. When a run sells out, that's it.
Risograph prints on a pegboard at the Abstract Threads market stall

Risograph prints

All prints on Etsy →
Wavy Lines risograph print Wavy Lines A3 · edition of 10 · €26 Bauhaus Grid risograph print Bauhaus Grid A3 · edition of 10 Fluorescent Circle risograph print Fluorescent Circle A3 · edition of 10 · €26 Geometric Rhythm risograph print Geometric Rhythm A3 · edition of 10 · €26 Botanical Leaves risograph print Botanical Leaves A3 · edition of 10 · €26 Tree Rings risograph print Tree Rings A5 · edition of 10

Apparel

The same algorithms, on organic Stanley/Stella cotton.

All apparel on Etsy →
Particle art t-shirt Blue radial lines t-shirt Colourful geometric triangle t-shirt Optical wave t-shirt
For teams & events Generative shirts for your team From 10 shirts. A design from the collection, or one coded for you. Team merch → For shops Stock numbered riso prints Wholesale or consignment, delivered by post in NL and BE. Wholesale →
Machiel behind the Abstract Threads market stall in Utrecht
About

Hi, I'm Machiel

I'm a generative artist in Utrecht. By day I teach creative coding at HKU University of the Arts; the rest of the time I write algorithms that make patterns I could never draw by hand.

Abstract Threads is where that code leaves the screen: as risograph prints, and on clothing made from organic cotton. Every design is my own code. No AI-generated art.