Tina Zellmer is featured in the 3×3 Illustration Directory.
3×3 is a magazine devoted entirely to the art of contemporary illustrations. They stay tuned in to what’s going on the world of illustration.
Each year Anna Goodson Management promotes that its artists will work for Free for non profit clients. It is advertised in North American and The UK. It was through this promotion that an offer came in from an charity organisation to join their inhouse creative team on a two week trip to Uganda.
I knew immidiately I wanted to do this project and jumped on it 
The charity organisation ‘tearfund UK’ asked me to join them to work together on a very important and exciting project. When I was ask to help, I was happy I had time and offered my services.
I have been very fortunate last year and I was happy to be able to give something back.
These are some of the images I created for tearfund.
I made a series of illustrations about a tiny village in the middle of Uganda called Ogongora.
Here you can see some of them: a bit of the village, Richard, Elisabeth, Grace, the pastor Joseph and his family. It felt really great to do something for people in need and it was very rewarding, too.
For me, this was an amazing opportunity. I experienced truly rural African life in poor communities, I made some new friends and was allowed to experience magnificent moments of joy, laughter, thankfulness and love. It made a big impression in my life .
And the best: at the same time i did what I love most:
making illustrations.
Tina Zellmer spent two weeks in in a tiny village in Uganda creating illustrations for the charity Tearfund. Tina was offered the chance to work with Tearfund through Anna Goodson Management’s annual ‘Work for Free’ promotion, where the AGM artists provide their services for free to non-profit organisations.
Tina Zellmer illustrated for the LA TIMES Magazine on a feature about dutch colonization titled ‘The long way home’.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
When I walk around – I always have my eyes open. Everything fuels my imagination. I devour books, films, music, paintings and illustrations, old photos with stains, dreams, random conversations, flowers, trees, clouds, water puddles, old pieces of paper, old boxes, surfaces that have a texture to them (like a wall falling apart or rusting metal). A painting material (like a new color or a brush) can be very inspiring, too.
What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
That was in kindergarten. I remember that we were all making butterflies by folding a piece of paper in half, sprinkling wax-pencil pieces in between and then ironing them…. beautiful effect – and I loved my self made “painting”.
As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
Yes, I still find time to create art for myself… and I think it is actually very important for me to also take the time to do so. That way I am able to experiment and find new inspiration for assignments. If there is time between jobs I like to create big paintings – new unexpected things happen and it is really nice for getting a different kind of energy.
What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
When I illustrate for clients, the final visual solution has to communicate to a certain target group. I like the challenge and I get energy and inspiration from it. Of course I have to stay focused and sometimes the deadlines are pretty short, working hours can be long. In my own work I can become lost and go into the illustration or painting. It’s one of my favorite places to go. I can take all the time I want and make images that speak directly to your soul.
What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
Whenever that happens I need to get my mind in a different place. I go outside, take a break and do something else. Eat an ice cream, lay in the sun, do some paperwork or walk my little dog.
If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Layered.
Tina Zellmer illustrates an article for ‘UCLA magazine’ about living with multiple sclerosis.
Tina Zellmer has produced some pro bono illustrations for the Charity Intelligence Homeless Report in Canada.
Tina Zellmer illustrates for winter issue of Acura Style magazine.
Tina lives and works in Berlin. Her artwork combines the strengths of collage, painted textures and handmade pencil drawings to create the finished illustrators! AGM is pleased for her to be one of the newest additions to the AGM roster. Tina’s impresive client list includes the Financial Times, BBC Radio, VITRA Design and the Australian Financial Review Magazine…
All images Copyright © 1996-2012 Anna Goodson Management and/or the respective artist, all rights reserved