Tami the Tortoi Zine

Tami the tortoi is an extension of me, another view on my personality. She came about when I needed reminding that being unique, independent and yourself is the true core of personality. She’s grown from that love and become so much more. But for now, she’s just a Zine in my collection, and maybe yours as copies are available in my shop, in all 3 editions; watercolour, graphic and linework.

The Final!

This version of Tami the Tortoi originated as a zine for my end of year project at university, my illustration practice modules beautiful conclusion.

Tami the Tortoi,

She feels so tiny,

and oh so broken,

from all of the stress,

and all of the tension.

and all of the trouble,

All the other tortoi,

causing oh so much pain,

now shes all tortured,

and troubled.

Cracked in her shell,

What’s that?

Tami the Tortoi,

look at how she transforms,

look at how shes translucent,

oh shes become so tumultuous,

Tami the Tortoi and all trouble,

proud of her truth,

shes grown all true.

I was tasked with making something about hate, something unique, personal and that culminated the first years lessons, for me that meant creating someone who faced endless self-hatred and had to learn how to accept herself, to move on in her own way.

Throughout making this project all I wanted to do was show a vivid, happy, healthy version of Tami, an undisturbed and gifted one, someone proud of who she is. The intent was the project would be aimed at older children in the 7-10 bracket, old enough to understand the concepts I was showing but not old enough that they had dived into the depths of its reality, like most teenagers would do. Whilst it holds darker meaning, Tami at her core is a story of self-love, self-acceptance and commitment to yourself, it’s about overcoming obstacles and being uniquely you.