Between Walls, Objects, and Ideas: Anna T-Iron on Creativity, Color, and Working Across Disciplines
With the launch of the new Montana BLUE line, ALLSPRAYPAINTED MEETS continues its series of conversations with artists whose creative practices are shaped by spray paint and a passion for experimentation. This edition introduces Anna T-Iron, a Hamburg-based multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work moves effortlessly between graphic design, graffiti, murals, object design, and interior concepts.
For more than a decade, Anna has been developing a visual language defined by bold color combinations, playful structures, and a curiosity that extends far beyond traditional design disciplines. Whether painting large-scale walls, transforming found furniture, or exploring new materials and techniques, her work reflects a hands-on approach and a constant desire to learn, test, and evolve.
In our conversation, Anna shares how her creative journey began, where she finds inspiration, and why color remains at the center of everything she creates. She also reflects on the opportunities and challenges of social media, the importance of staying true to one’s artistic voice, and her experience working with the new Montana BLUE cans.
From childhood sketchbooks to large-scale spray-painted installations, Anna T-Iron’s career is a reminder that creativity rarely follows a straight path. Instead, it grows through curiosity, experimentation, and the courage to explore new directions.
As part of ALLSPRAYPAINTED MEETS, we spoke with Anna about her creative process, her multidisciplinary practice, and the role spray paint continues to play within her work. A conversation about artistic independence, the power of color, and the joy of making things with your own hands.
ASP: How did your career begin? How did Anna T-Iron come to life? Is there a moment when you knew that creative work was your preferred way of working?
Anna T-Iron: The name Anna T-Iron and the creative work connected to it began around 2012. At the time, I was working as a graphic designer for the Hamburg-based tea company Samova, while also creating logos and posters for DJ friends and event organizers on the side. Things developed quite quickly because every month there were numerous posters featuring my designs displayed throughout the city, attracting people’s attention. Over the years, many exciting opportunities arose, and before long I was also working with larger companies. Since I not only studied graphic design but was also active as a graffiti artist, I was able to move almost seamlessly between the digital and analog worlds.
In those early years, I also had an incredibly strong support system. Clients and friends consistently spread the word about my work and helped ensure that commissions kept coming in, which eventually allowed me to become self-employed.
However, if we’re talking about when I first started being creative, essentially laying the foundation for Anna T-Iron, we probably need to rewind another 15 years. As a child and teenager, I always carried a small suitcase filled with pens, paper, stickers, and other supplies. I spent every free minute crafting, drawing, and making things.
ASP: Where do you find most of your inspiration? What role do handcrafted materials play in your work? How did your interest in design develop?
Anna T-Iron: Most of my inspiration comes from nature, especially when it comes to structures and color combinations. That said, clothes drying racks shouldn’t be underestimated either. The colors I enjoy using in my art are often the same colors I like to wear, and more than once I’ve discovered a cheeky and unexpected color combination while looking at clothes hanging out to dry.
When it comes to typography and lettering, streetwear, motorsports, and advertising from the 1980s and 1990s have been major influences.
Handcrafted materials add tremendous value to my work because I don’t become creative solely on a computer or on a sheet of paper. Interior design and spatial design have always interested me as well. As a teenager, I rearranged my room at least once a month and repainted the walls countless times. That’s really where my interest in these topics began.
In recent years, I’ve increasingly explored new techniques such as tufting and working with terrazzo. I think it’s very important for me not only to express myself through graphic design or the visual design of walls and objects, but also through interior spaces. My one-year school internship in interior decoration and furnishing certainly contributed to my recurring interest in interior design.
At the same time, I have a very hands-on mentality. I like trying things before deciding I can’t do them, and I’m constantly curious to learn new skills and expand my horizons. Of course, this also means I’ve developed in many different directions, which can sometimes make it feel like I’m not making huge progress in any one area. But my heart and mind need constant variety.
ASP: Part of your concept for allspraypainted meets is a sideboard that also functions as seating. How do you approach the design of projects, and which part is your favorite?
Anna T-Iron: Most projects begin with a rough sketch of the concept. I define the overall direction and style and then source the necessary materials. For this particular project, I chose a second-hand piece of furniture that was both practical and visually appealing. My goal was to blur the boundaries of the sideboard so that its drawers would not be immediately recognizable.
My favorite part varies from project to project. In this case, it was definitely removing the masking tape because that was the moment when the final artwork was revealed. Until then, it had only been visible in fragments. I also really enjoyed creating the color gradients and the paint splatter effects.
ASP: How would you describe Instagram’s role in relation to your work?
Anna T-Iron: I think Instagram has become an important and almost unavoidable tool for gaining visibility and sharing your work with the world. I have an ambivalent relationship with it. On the one hand, I enjoy sharing my work with others. On the other hand, I clearly notice how it can shift the focus from creative practice to a kind of performance for followers, creating a certain amount of pressure.
Sometimes it can also affect how I perceive my own work, especially when the algorithm doesn’t show it to enough people. And of course, constantly consuming other people’s art influences my own creative process as well.
When agencies or clients tell me I need a certain number of followers to qualify for a project, it really frustrates me. Honestly, I think it’s unfair. Artists should be able to invest their energy into creativity instead of worrying about these kinds of metrics.
Erykah Badu once said, “Art is the absence of fear.” In an era shaped by things like FOMO, social media inevitably influences both our creativity and our self-perception. It can be both a blessing and a curse.
ASP: Which color or effect from the Montana product line is your favorite? How was it working with the new BLUE range?
Anna T-Iron: My absolute favorite color is Light Lilac from the GOLD range which also is part of the BLUE line now—a true classic. My second favorite color is orange, and I love combining the two, whether through gradients or by splattering one color over the other.
Working with the BLUE range was fantastic. The application is incredibly easy, the coverage is excellent, and the drying time was very impressive as well.
ASP: How balanced is the relationship between digital and analog work in your creative practice?
Anna T-Iron: I would say I work about 30% digitally and 70% analog. I try to pick up a pen as often as possible instead of automatically reaching for the iPad. There have actually been moments when I tapped a sheet of paper trying to undo something. That was a little alarming! 😅
ASP: What are your plans for next year?
Anna T-Iron: It would be amazing to travel more for art again. Beyond that, I’ve got my ears open in many different directions, and you can look forward to seeing what develops.
To become a little less dependent on commissioned work, I’ve come up with several side projects and new ideas. I’m curious myself to see which of the 475 irons I currently have in the fire will ultimately take off—but the journey is the destination.
ASP: How important is color in your work?
Anna T-Iron: I simply can’t work without color. I once received a request to create a mural using only yellow and black, and just thinking about it made me see yellow and black everywhere. So for me, that’s completely out of the question.
ASP: Has the exchange with your community changed the way you work?
Anna T-Iron: Not necessarily. Of course, it’s wonderful to receive feedback or to be sent a photo of a mural I painted years ago. It’s meaningful to see that my work resonates with people. But I wouldn’t say it has had a major impact on the way I work. I try to stay true to myself.
With her unmistakable use of color, multidisciplinary approach, and passion for exploring new materials, Anna T-Iron represents a generation of artists who move effortlessly between design, art, and craft. Whether working on walls, objects, or interior concepts, spray paint remains an important tool within her creative process. We thank Anna for sharing her thoughts, experiences, and insights as part of ALLSPRAYPAINTED MEETS and look forward to seeing where her next creative adventures will lead.
