Johanna Urban

"If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am."

2012-01-08T18:31:00.009+01:00

Cyril Cusack

I hope You have had a great Holiday! These photos were taken New Years Eve. This was one of the first winter days in Sweden, which is really unusual. It was a perfect day. My family and I where finally all together. It was one of those days when you wish you could press repeat and replay it over and over again.

I'm sorry I havn't been blogging for a while, I'll do better, but I'm afraid this spring will be really busy. School will take a lots of my time, but I will blogg as often as I can.

"I'm a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds. "

2011-12-13T23:43:00.012+01:00

Mike Tyson

I love Mike Tyson's quote. I have big dreams. Sometimes I wish I was braver. Brave enough to fulfill them or at least try. Sometimes I do fulfill my dreams but for the most times I don't. This illustration is inspired by dreams and wishes.
I made the last colorversion in this post first but I was not satisfied with the colors so I made a new version which reflected my intentions better.

"It is every woman's dream to be some man's dream woman".

2011-11-24T11:31:00.014+01:00

Barbra Streisand

Inspired by Love. I drew this illustration the day before I was going to the premiere of Breaking Dawn part 1 which explain the love-is-in-the-air thing. It's a week ago I watched Breaking Dawn and my crazy teenage crush for Robert Pattinson has finally faded (happends every premier). Embarrassing but true. Hope you like the illustration.

"The more you'll dress up the more fun you'll have."

2011-11-15T17:43:00.010+01:00

Brian Molko

This illustration is inspired by tonight's outfit. It will be a night out with the girls. First we will have a cozy dinner and thereafter we are going to watch the premiere of Breaking Dawn. Can't wait!

I have had a really hard time to decide what I wanted to wear tonight. After I tried on a hundred different things I decided that a classic black dress will fit perfect. I will also wear my Michael Kors shoes (for the first time) that I bought in LA six months ago. I hope I will be able to walk in them!!! I'm matching the shoes with my favorite necklace. Have a great night. xx

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

2011-11-13T11:20:00.003+01:00

Twyla Tharp

I'm a social person. I love to be with my friends, have fun and talk all night long. But I also love to stay home. Read a good book or drawing an illustration while I'm listen to music. These are things that makes me happy.

"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk."

2011-11-08T18:02:00.014+01:00

Paul Klee

Last week was hectic. I had an exam and I really haven't had any time to study for it at all, and I also had two seminars. Somehow I did it but I feared for a moment my head would explode and that wouldn't have been a pretty sight. What is better then a long walk when you have a lots of things on your mind?

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. "

2011-11-07T01:38:00.023+01:00

James M. Barrie

I Love the idea of dress feminine. I like to buy skirts and I have a lots of them in my closet. But I never wear them. My favorite skirt for the moment is a long, flowery, very romantic skirt which I bought two months ago. I think I've worn the skirt a few times. Hope you like this illustration which is inspired by the only skirt in my closet I worn more then once (I might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the point). Enjoy!

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."

2011-11-03T22:48:00.016+01:00

Pablo Picasso

It's almost two months since I drew an illustration. But yesterday I was walking past the bookstore and got a sudden desire to draw. I went in to the store and bought a new sketchbook. Today I did actually draw and I realized that I missed it a lot! Hope you like it!

2011-09-10T19:00:00.005+02:00

"Sometimes I lay, under the moon, and thank God I'm breathing, then I pray, don't take me soon, cause I am here for a reason, sometimes in my tears I drown, but I never let it get me down, so when negativity surrounds, I know some day it'll all, turn around, because, all my life I've been waiting for, I've been praying for, for the people to say, that we don't wanna fight no more, they'll be no more wars, and our children will play, one day, it's not about, win or lose cause, we all lose, when they feed on the souls of the innocent, blood drenched pavement, keep on moving though the waters stay raging, in this maze you can lose your way, it might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you no way, sometimes in my tears I drown, but I never let it get me down, so when negativity surrounds, I know some day it'll all turn around." Lyrics by Matisyahu.

"To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle."

2011-08-14T21:34:00.013+02:00

Walt Whitman

I'm laying in my bed. It's dark outside. I can see the moon through the window. One word, beautiful. These illustrations are inspired by the nightsky.

"I have tons of jewelry. I like to wear a lot of it".

2011-08-10T23:06:00.016+02:00

Amber Tamblyn

I love all kind of jewelry. Small. Big. Colorful. Simple. My favorite jewelry is a huge not-real-silver ring that I found in a second hand store a half year ago. Do you have a favorite jewelry?

"You never get tired unless you stop and take time for it."

2011-08-08T22:31:00.016+02:00

Bob Hope

I'm tired and feel sick but I'm not. Isn't that annoying. When you want to stay home from work but don't have a good excuse. I would never stay home because I just feelt for it. But I'm very tired and can't wait until it's weekend again!

"All you need to do to be my friend is like me".

2011-08-06T22:39:00.024+02:00

Taylor Swift

Isabell is a couple of hours older then me. We become best friends when my family moved to the island she lived on called Hasslö as a ten years old kid. My family and I lived there for almost four years. We moved when I was fourteen but every summer I have ben visiting her for the last ten years. These photos are from this years vaccation at her new place, Karlskrona, a city two swedish miles from Hasslö.

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me".

2011-08-01T22:10:00.029+02:00

Henry Ford

This illustration is painted with watercolors, but I have worked it a little bit in photoshop. Hope you like it!

I just got The Sunshine Award 2011 from @Gastonj, which is an amazing illlustrator from Philippines. Check out his blog! Like all awards I had to answer som question, so here we go:

Your favorite color? It depends on which time of the year it is, but I love grey, brown, navy blue and black.

Your favorite animal? That's a easy question. Cat. But I also like birds, it must be wonderful to be able to fly, so much freedom.

Your favorite number? That's a hard one. I don't have a favorite number, but if I have to choose one I say number four.

Your favorite non-alcoholic drink? One word, milk!

You join facebook or twitter? I have had facebook a couple of years.

What’s your passion? Life is my passion.

What´s your favorite: getting or giving presents? Giving. especially gifts that you are involved in, A few years ago I surprised my little sister on her birthday. I had drawn a treasure map. I think she was seventeen or maybe eighteen. Mom gave her the map. I waited at the end goal with a picnic basket. We went to a waterfall. It was perfect. We ate a lot of cookies and drank soda.

Your favorite pattern? I don't have a favorite, I love all kind of patterns.

Your favorite day of the week? Saturday.

Your favorite flower? The white tulip, it's a simple and beautiful flower.

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet."

2011-07-26T23:30:00.007+02:00

Plato

I love Plato's quote about love. It's simple and very beautiful.

"All things grow with time - except grief."

2011-07-23T21:10:00.010+02:00

Jewish Proverb

When I woke up this morning I heard the news Yesterday 85 young people had been massacred at a political youth camp and 7 people had been killed in an earlier bomb blast in Oslo. I can't believe it. My dad, mom and I went for a walk. There are a norwegian couple in the neighborhood. A half mast norwegian flag waved in their garden, which is a symbol of grief. I am grieving with my friends and neighbors in west.

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. "

2011-07-22T22:51:00.016+02:00

Lou Holtz

If I recorded a CD I would like the disc case to look something like this. I love to sing but I have stage fright. I always forget the lyrics, even so I have been singing at some weddings. This illustration is all made in photoshop and I have used a photo as inspiration. The second photograph is a version of the photo I used.

Lina and I went to the forest a couple of days ago. As kids, or lets say young teenager we used to go there a lot. We climbed mountains, fell into the water, tored trees, laughed and fired panties (that's a funny story which I will not tell you today). These are some photos from the day, except the last photo which is taken in LA. Enjoy.

"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles."

2011-07-12T13:08:00.008+02:00

William Hazlitt

I'm laying in the grass watching the sky. It's late but not dark. I'm happy. The sky change color from blue to yellow and pink. It's beautiful. Birds are singing. An ant crawling on my leg. It's a little bit cold even if it's summer. I wonder what's behind the sky. If I could fly would I find the end? I'm alone. But I'm happy.

"Away is good but at home is best"

2011-06-30T15:36:00.013+02:00

Swedish proverb

It's more then two months since I was in LA, but I will share a last post with you from the vaccation. The last night in LA was amazing and very special. I surprised Lina with a picnic and we went to Santa Monica. We stoped by the mall and bought a lots of frozen yougort. After that we went to the beach, there we ate chocolate and strawberries while we where watching the sunset. It was perfect.

It was the day I would travel back home to Sweden, it was a beautiful morning. My flight from LAX left at 5 pm so I had a lots of time before I had to leave the appartment. I ate oatmeal with strawberries and grape for breakfast. Then I went to the pool and read some chapters in my book. Another perfect morning.

When it was time for me to leave Lina's appartment I went to the bus, a couple of blocks away, which would take me to LAX. When I finally arrived at the airport I realized I had forgot something very important. I bought a postcard, which is something I never do, for my grandpa. And I was suppose to send it on my way to the bus. I forgot! You can't imagine how angry I was at myself. I tried to find a mailbox at the airpost but with NO success! So I did something I would never ever had done in Sweden. I asked (it took me more then one hour to find the courage to do this) a girl at a bookshop if she wanted to send the postcard after work. It was so embarrising and humiliating. The only thing that made me do this was the fact that my grandpa really would appreciate it. She actually said yes (but her face expressions was saying "WHAT A GIRL? HOW CAN SHE ASK ME THIS AND WHY DO I SAY YES???") but she did send it. After a couple of days my grandpa reseived the postcard. And I was right, he was very happy! So Thank you, who ever you where, for sending my postcard!

But after the postcard-incident everything went well until I came to Frankfurt. I missed the plane because my flight from London was delayed. For those who have been at Frankfurt airpost knows it's hu-u-ge. You walk, and walk, and walk and then you walk a little bit more and after a while you may find your gate. I'm a very emotional person, I laugh and cry easily. I cried the whole time while I was walking to my gate. I was haertbroken. I wish I could blame the hormones or the fact that I was really tired but I guess It's just a bad habit. But everything turned out really well. I came home.

I love to travel but I have to say "Away is good but at home is best".

"Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude!"

2011-06-27T23:35:00.011+02:00

Miley Cyrus

Pink is a great color which have become one of my favorite colors. But as a teenager I disliked pink. Even if I was a very girly girl I actually already as a six years old girl thought the color was way too girly. But as an adult I started to appreciate pink again. My favorite color today is grey. Maybe a bit boring but I find the color very easy to match with accessories and make up of any kind, like a pink lipstick. Which is your favorite color?

This illustration is also all made in Adobe Photoshop.

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden".

2011-06-25T19:56:00.009+02:00

Claudia Grandi

My life has been, as I already told you, pretty busy. School have taken a lots of time. Finally. The summerbrake started june 2nd, the same day my little sister Maria and Alexander got married. It was a perfect wedding and she looked so beautiful. Henrik Mill, which is an amazing photographer, took some incredible photos. It really was a perfect day!

After the wedding I traveled in Sweden for about two weeks. I visited my big brother in Malmö and my best friend in Karlskrona. I'm back home and will hopefully blogging a little bit more! This illustration is all made in photoshop and I hope You will like it!

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart".

2011-05-06T22:51:00.006+02:00

Helen Keller

1 month left until Summer break. I'm longing for a day off. My life is for the moment very busy, that's why I havn't been blogging for a while. This illustration is inspired by a swedish summer evening, warm and cozy.

"My sisters are my favorite people on earth."

2011-04-29T16:58:00.010+02:00

Ryan Phillippe

My little sister, Maria is getting married next month and I'm so happy for her. She and her fiance, Alexander, have booked an amazing photographer, Henrik Mill, and they met him this Tuesday and took some test shots. The result is amazing, check out his blog!

"A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love".

2011-04-24T18:03:00.007+02:00

Max Muller

I use the word love a lot and sometimes I wonder if I use it to often. But I do love so many things! Like beeing in the sun, bathing outside while it's raining, eating chocolate, tulips, the black swedish candy called lakrits, a good movie, spicy food, spending time with my family, laughing, reading a book, dancing (even if I look like goofy), icecream, singing, draw and so many more things. I guess these are the little things that makes my life blossom.

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."

2011-04-20T14:01:00.012+02:00

Aristotle

It was finally a not-rainy-day in LA. Lina, Susanne and I were going to Santa Monica beach. Lina was making fun of me because I was so pale. But if you would live in Sweden and couldn't afford a vacation at some fancy island in the middle of the winter you surtenly wouldn't be spoiled by the sun. I had prepared my skin with a really good sun cream because I always get burned. It was a perfect day and we even saw dolphins. Some people where shooting a TV serie called Castle, which I haven't seen, but the film equipment was so cool! After a while we went to a sushi resturant. I'm not a big fan of sushi but I abolutley love the avocado rolls. The end of the day I was still pale, except from one tiny part. My right foot, not my left, was burning red. Almost blue and yes, Lina had pretty fun at my expense.

A couple of days after the day at Santa Monica beach, my foot was still burning red, Lina and I decided to go to Hollywood Boulevard. We also wanted to take some photos of the famous Hollywood sign which would be in the same area. The journey started with a 45 min warm bustrip. The only problem was the fact that we didn't know where we were suppose to get off. When we finally got off the bus we had no idea where we were. We decided to take a cab but a new problem came up. We where in the most traffic city in the world but couldn't find a cab. To make a long story short; it took more then one hour for us to get a cab and I can tell you, we were pretty frustrated, but we did get our photos of the sign.
The long trip was worth it. Hollywood Boulevard was amazing! Palms, lights, stores, people, music and fashion! They where shooting for the new movie, Wonder Woman. To bad I had no idea who the actress was, but atleast I have seen a movie star.

"May you live all the days of your life".

2011-04-18T12:04:00.006+02:00

Jonathan Swift

It was morning in LA, Lina had already left for school and I was alone in the appartment. I went for a little walk all by myself, and the only company I had was my camera. I'm a very social person but sometimes I find the loneliness very pleasant.

After a week in LA we went to Disneyland. Four girls in a paradise of happiness, we where screaming, laughing and crying of joy. Even the bad weather couldn't brake our expectations. I have been dreaming about visiting Disneyland since I was a little girl and hopelessly inlove with Aladdin. It was exactly what I imagine. The details of the park was amazing and so well done. It was a prefect day and I highly recommend you to visit the park if you are in the area of any circumstances, you will not regret it!

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet".

2011-04-15T12:32:00.008+02:00

Plato

Spring is the season of love. This illustration is inspired by Love and Beauty. When my sister saw the illustration she told me it reminded her of Paris, the city of Love and Fashion. Paris, it's one of the cities in the world I really want to see once in my life. Yesterday I started to make a list of hundret things I want to do before I die. Number eight is to visit Paris and buy a key ring of the Eiffel Tower.

"If there is a future, it will be Green".

2011-04-11T16:57:00.011+02:00

Petra Kelly

Spring is heading for greener pastures. Green envy, from mint to chartreuse, which I used as an inpiration when I choosed the background colour. It's the new trend for this spring. I love the mint green colour but I have never owned a mint green thing in my hole life. This may be a good opportunity to change that.

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

2011-04-08T17:18:00.013+02:00

Charles Dickens

It was a new day in Los Angeles. The rain had stopped and I could see the sun rising. Lina had already left the appartment for school and I was lying in my bed while I was thinking about the days that had passed. I felt completely satisfied with my decision of going to LA. I loved the fact that it was nothing I had to do, just things I wanted to do. Susanne asked me if I wanted to join her for a walk. She had to take some photos for her school class so I got dressed quickly and we grabbed something to eat and went out. The sun was warm. Not cold like I'm used to. I hadn't felt the warm sun since september. The last summer was short in Sweden and I had been longing for it since then.

We went to Santa Monica beach. The day turned out to be as good as I thought it would be. The wind was cold but the sun warm. Some guys where playing volleyball at the beach. You could see tourists everywhere, just like myself, taking pictures. One of the things I liked the most about LA was the fact that it was surrounded by green mountains. Beautiful and breathtaking.

The lifeguards tower, which you can see at the fourth and second last image, always reminds me of baywatch, even if I only have watched it once or maybe two times as a teen. But there where no sexy lifeguards at the beach with red swimming shorts ;)

Susanne and I shared a delicious plate of nachos and chicken. It was a perfect way to end the day at Santa Monica beach. Thereafter, we went to Santa Monica University to catch up with Lina.

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, and all the friends I want to see. "

2011-04-03T11:44:00.027+02:00

John Burroughs

18th March. It was early friday morning, still dark outside. I had only slept a couple of hours and I was walking a empty street towards the trainstation. Today I was travelling to LA to visit my friend Lina. The road was white since it had been snowing during the few hours that I was asleep. When I finally arrived to the trainstation I rushed inside. It was freaking cold and I was only wearing my leather jacket which did not keep me warm. After a while I went to the platform. A couple of minutes before the train was suppose to come, I discover that my hand baggage was gone. "Oh no, not again, so typical of me, where have I put it, think, think, think". The panic started to grow inside of me. I looked at the building at the other side of the train track, and not surprisingly, I saw my brown leather bag, that my grandpa had given me a couple of years ago, standing on a table. "What should I do". I glanced around me to find someone that could keep an eye on my other bag which was quite too heavy to run with. To my happiness I found four middle-aged men. When I got back with the bag my heart was pounding. I asked myself while I where holding on tight to my bags "Why does these kinds of drama always happend to me"?

It have always amazesed me of how many marvelous and interesting people you may face while you are travelling. On the plane from Frankfurt I was sitting by a old professor with a broad german accent. He had white beard and thick glasses and he acted just like I imagine a professor should do. A little bit goofy but you could tell he was very smart.
When I finally arrived at Lina's appartemnt 03.00 am local time I was exhausted but excited. It was more then 30 hours since I left my own appartemnt in Sweden. The trip had gone well except that my last plane was delayed. I was so happy when Lina came down to let me in. She helped me with my bags after many hugs and kisses and told me "Tomorrow we will go to Universal studio, so get in bed because you will need your beauty sleep". Due to certain circumstances I was going to sleep beside Lina's roomate, a girl named Susanne, which I had never met before. But I can tell it was quite funny to wake up to somebody you already shared a bed with and introduce yourself.

I can't tell if it was the day after Universal Studio or not, but a couple of days after I arrived in LA it started raining. I'm from Sweden and used to rain. But it was raining like cats and dogs. The local people told us that it haven't been raining like that since the year of 1987 something. Lina and I decided to meet Rebecca and Sanna, which we would go to Disney land with next week, at Santa Monica's mall for shopping. They introduced me to Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt and I loved it!

These where my first days in LA. I will share more photos and stories with you another day. Hope you enjoyed it!

"I'd come out to Los Angeles for a vacation to see a friend and just fell in love with it."

2011-03-20T19:12:00.011+01:00

Claire Forlani

I'm having a great time in the big city, Los Angeles! Everything is so different from Sweden. It's raining today, but will be better weather tomorrow. Today were off to some crazy LA-shopping. My partner in crime is Lina, and she is a dangerous person to have around while walking in faboulas stores. She makes me shop to much! But I love her anyway. As you can see I have used the same poses for the girls as in the post before, and the post from 1 February. I hope you like it!

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it. "

2011-03-15T15:43:00.007+01:00

Sydney J. Harris

I have been in school today, but the onley thing I'm thinkning of is LA! Can't wait to get on that plane, which will take me to my dear Lina!

"Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day. "

2011-03-08T17:39:00.008+01:00

Elizabeth Bowen

This will be my last winter inspired illustration for this year, I've decided it's spring from now on!

Danny Saucedo

2011-03-07T17:40:00.008+01:00

This is a portrait of the artist Danny Saucedo. For you who doesn't know who he is, he was one of the swedish idols 2006, and has since then been a great artist in Sweden. Some songs of him: Radio and In your eyes. For the moment he is involved in a Swedish music competition, and if he wins, he will represent Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest. He is one of my favorites because... this guy can Sing and Dance, watch his performance.

a Big Thank You

2011-03-07T15:05:00.008+01:00

I want to share two great illustrators with You, Mapache Salado, which I wish all the best. His blog is amazing! 06.03.2011, he made a stunning portrait of me! If you don't follow his blog, I recommend it highly! Enjoy!

The other one is a fantastic blogger who did a portrait of me a couple of months ago, Gastonj! Also an amazing illustrator!

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."

2011-03-03T20:28:00.006+01:00

Abraham Lincoln

I think it's easier to be happy in the summer. But I believe Abraham Lincoln's quote is very true. We can be as happy as we want to.

"But when you get music and words together, that can be a very powerful thing. "

2011-03-01T18:47:00.005+01:00

Bryan Ferry

Peter Netskar is a friend of my family. As long as I known him he have had a big passion for music. These illustrations are portraits of him. I will shair a link of a fantastic performance by him. Enjoy!

"The more you'll dress up the more fun you'll have."

2011-02-27T10:07:00.011+01:00

Brian Molko

I got my hair cut by a hair stylist a few days ago. I got bangs and I like it a lot.

I told you last week that my sister are engaged, and it's decided, she will get married this summer!!! I did find a very cute dress for the event at ASOS, which I used for inpiration for next illustration.

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls".

2011-02-24T22:30:00.012+01:00

Pablo Picasso

I made this illustration for a couple of months ago, at the same time I made the illustration with the quote "Be somebody's blue-eyed boy." by Idiom. This illustration is not one of my favorites, but I love his nerdy glasses!

"When you are seventeen you aren't really serious".

2011-02-22T17:54:00.018+01:00

Max Lerner

My first years as a teenager was horrible. But after a couple of years, I found myself. Sometimes I miss being seventeen. It was a really good time with a lots of fun. These photos are taken at the Studio in Gothenburg and I am seventeen, possibly eighteen.

Last year I took some new photos at the same place, You can watch them here.

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

2011-02-15T00:13:00.009+01:00

Japanese proverb

The swedish winter are cold and beautiful with a lots of snow. Winter was my inspiration for this illustration.

"A loving heart is the truest wisdom."

2011-02-09T21:00:00.010+01:00

Charles Dickens

This is an illustration of my sister Maria and her fiance Alexander. Aren't they beautiful. I can't believe my dear little sister is engaged and soon will be married.

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

2011-02-07T00:34:00.007+01:00

Alfred Tennyson

I think this quote is very beautiful.

"One never knows what one is going to do. One starts a painting and then it becomes something quite different".

2011-02-04T16:30:00.010+01:00

Pablo Picasso

For the most times I have a vision when I'm drawing. But the result usually ends completely different than I think at the beginning. This illustration turned out to be a glamorous woman with a touch of a old fashion movie star.

"A hush is over everything, Silent as women wait for love; The world is waiting for spring."

2011-02-01T00:03:00.006+01:00

Sara Teasdale

It's only February but I'm longing for spring.

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

2011-01-25T00:03:00.006+01:00

Marion C. Garretty

I have two sisters that I love deeply.

"Emotions are the language of the soul."

2011-01-21T11:25:00.005+01:00

Carla Mclaren

I'm emotional. I laugh and cry easily. I'm stubborn. I speak without thinking. When something goes wrong, I think every time that the earth will perish. I'm a sore loser. When I get angry I cry instead. I smile often. I'm grateful to tease.

"Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure."

2011-01-20T12:10:00.008+01:00

Alfred North Whitehead

I'm longing for adventures. I want to travel the world, see more of it. But for now my adventures reaches no longer than books, movies and my own imagination.

"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."

2011-01-15T12:14:00.007+01:00

Garth Henrichs

As many times before I was inspired by music when I made this illustration. The music is written by a seventeen years old boy named Miika from Finland. First time I heard the music I cried. The piece of music are soft, vulnerable and powerful at the same time, and this is the result of my interpretation.

"I have big dreams, but the important thing is not that all my dreams will come true, the most important thing is that I'm dreaming".

2011-01-14T15:04:00.014+01:00

Johanna Urban

These pictures are taken by my lovley friend Lina, which I will miss very much because she's going to study a half year in USA. ("Lova mig att ha så himla sjukt roligt tjejen, lev livet som bara du kan. Älskar dig").

I was recently given the Stylish Blogger Award by lovley Yeevon, Vanilla and SaraLynn, which are amazing illustrators.

Like always the award have rules. First step is to thank and link back to the person(s) that awarded you. Share 7 things about yourself. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered bloggers. Contact those bloggers about the award! The one that got the award must tell seven things about themself, and pay it forwards to 15 recentrly discovered bloggers.

Seven things about myself that you may not know:
1. I'm half swedish, half hungarian.
2. The day I was born was chaotic. A taxi. A dog. Two children. A father. A pregnant mother. Do I need to say more?
3. My first crush was Aladdin, but who can beat a princess.
4. In the age of sixteen, I began studying art and design at Bengtsfor’s High school. Which has been one of my better decisions in my life.
5. Shortly after school I went to Israel four months. I loved it but my tear duct constantly overfload by all sorts of problems as a nineteen-years-old girl can experience in a foreign country, like longing for mom.
6. I say that I am pedantic, my mom says I'm sloppy.
7. When I was 20 I went to the country where all dreams come true, America. Maybe not. Anyway, it was a really good time! I'm back in Sweden. (Dad was even more happy because he was most worried about all the good looking men in America. No worries. I’m home, single and happy!)

Maya beus, Sam Wolfe Connelly, Azede Jean-Pierre, Puck, Cristina, Danielle Shepherd, Sarah, Katie Nelson, Elia, Fanny Bylund, Rosa & Carlotta, Alexandra Alexandersson, Sarah Zainal Abidin & Brittany

Illustrators Drawing Illustrators

2011-01-11T00:05:00.008+01:00

"When one paints an ideal, one does not need to limit one's imagination." Ellen Kay

December 22, 2010 Meagan Morrison announced a project called Illustrators Drawing Illustrators. Eighteen illustrators joined the project. It's about one illustrator drawing another illustrator. I got George Mott, which was amazing to illustrate!

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

2011-01-04T00:06:00.008+01:00

Matthew 7:12

A couple of weeks ago a friend asked if I wanted to illustrate a print for a shirt, which his sister, Josie, will use in an organization, RESCUE HER, which fights against child trafficking. This is the result of one of the illustrations.

"My life is busy with homework."

2010-12-29T16:53:00.011+01:00

Johanna Urban

Haven't had any time for illustrate something new. But I made a video for a couple of days ago, hope you will like it.

"Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perseive as I perceive, look, experience,

2010-12-12T13:32:00.018+01:00

examine, and for once; just once, understand."

David Borenstein

Dancing. Painting. Singing. Speaking. it's tools to express feelings. I paint, I sing and I speak. But I've never had a talent for dance. Even so I admire people who can move in harmony and express and shape a sense with only a movement. My inspiration for this illustration was the ballerina.

"A smile happens in a flash, but it's memory can last a lifetime".

2010-12-06T00:11:00.009+01:00

Greta Garbo

I made this illustration for many weeks ago, but I did the colour version yesterday night. It turned out pink, which always amazes me because I havn't been a big fan of the pink colour. But as I already have said in my earlier post, Never say Never! Now I'm wearing pink lipstick!

"Cold hands warm heart".

2010-12-01T00:15:00.004+01:00

Afghan Proverb

I know an old lady and she always says to me "Oh, Johanna you have such cold hands, but you know what they say, cold hands warm heart".

"I dream of wayward gulls and all landless lovers, rare moments of winter sun, peace, privacy, for everyone".

2010-11-28T11:00:00.008+01:00

William F. Claire

"For a moment I forgot everything that seemed hard in my life. I just stood there looking up at the sky, where I could see heavy snow flakes sink down towards me. It is these little moments that makes life wonderful. A non-existent memory that makes me so incredibly happy. It may be the ride home from work a summer evening, picking mushrooms a rainy day, a friendly smile or just a snowy day in December".

Johanna Urban, Tuesday, December 15, 2009

"Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new."

2010-11-23T15:08:00.008+01:00

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

How many times havn't I laughed about the crazy huge shoulder pads from the 80s, and now I'm wearing it! Never say Never.

"I only have to do three things to look halfway decent, curl my eyelashes, fill in my eyebrows and put some lipstick on".

2010-11-18T18:07:00.011+01:00

Courteney Cox

When I was in Clovis, New Mexico, USA last year I bought a hot pink lipstick inspired by a dear friend, Summer. I havn't used it since then, but for a couple of days ago I find it in my drawer, and I can't stop using it, I love it!

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know."

2010-11-14T15:04:00.017+01:00

Diane Arbus

I went to Gothenburg last week for another shot with Irina Balog. I had no idea what kind of shot she wanted to do, but the result was above my expectations. She took these wonderful and amazing photos! I love them and I hope you will like them! You can find more photo's by her on Galleria V.

Photographer : Irina Balog
Hair & Make up : Irina Balog
Model : Johanna Urban

"So long as little children are allowed to suffer, there is no true love in this world."

2010-11-08T15:56:00.002+01:00

Isadora Duncan

I did find my inspiration for this illustration in a song, All I need is You, written by Andreas Carlsson. He wrote the song for the organisation UNICEF which works for children's rights, their survival, development and protection. The Swedish version of American Idol did sing the song with Andreas Carlsson the 5th November 2010.

"I think theres a little child in all of us and we all to often forget to let the child out to play".

2010-11-04T00:03:00.004+01:00

Donna A. Favors

Today I was thinking of my childhood. I was a child with a big temper and very strong will, which I still have. I was like Godzilla but in a child's body. You can't imagine what my poor little sister had to go through living in the same house as me. But to my happiness she is still alive and has become a very decent and good person. Sometimes I wish I could go back and just be that little kid with no bigger problems then the fact that her brother teased her about absolutely everything. I also think theres a little child in all of us and we all to often forget to let the child out to play.

"Life is Now".

2010-11-01T17:01:00.028+01:00

Delphine- Gay de Girardin

For a couple of days ago I got an award from Ferferi in Gothenburg. And of course the award also had a mission. Tell seven things about yourself! So here we go:

1. Even if I don't believe it my friends tells me that I always making a huge snore just before I falling asleep!

2. I'm terrified of heights but will skydive ones in my life! I'ts a promise which I will regret!

3. I'm a very romantic person! Still believe that prince charming will come and rescue me some day!

4. I'm crying watching cartoons, for example the horse movie Spirit when Bryan Adams sings, I always cry!

5. I almost always act and speak before I think, which results in the fact that I say and do a lots of stupid things, never mean but very stupid things!!

6. I love salty candy, like swedish saltlakrits!

7. I hate spiders and think snakes are beautiful but scary!

And I'm tagging: GASTONJ, FRIDA, MARIA, KAROLINA, BELLA, KATIE, VANILLA.

"Be somebody's blue-eyed boy."

2010-10-28T17:42:00.008+02:00

Idiom

When I was in London I met the most gourges man I ever seen in my hole life. He was a true gentleman. It was only for a short moment, we spoked and we said goodbye. But that day, he was my blue-eyed boy.

"You can't stay in the corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes".

2010-10-24T00:02:00.006+02:00

Winnie the Pooh

Isn't Winnie the Pooh the wisest bear ever.

"When we allow our conscience to be our guide, then our purpose in life will be fullfilled".

2010-10-19T15:53:00.005+02:00

Donna A. Favors

I'm back on track, a new illustration for my wall.

"I'm here to live out loud."

2010-10-17T15:50:00.022+02:00

Émile Zola

I'm doing something I haven't done before, I'm joining a real competition. It's a competition about interpret a swedish word, lagom. Lagom is the same thing as perfect balance, not to much or to little.
Perfect balance, is not the best translation, but I can't find a better one. The swedish word lagom is a excellent word for exempel when someone ask you how much food you want on your plate, you answer "lagom" (not to much, not to little). Swedish people are a lot like that, they are not cold or hot, they want to blend in, like when something is very popular everyone has it. So I wanted to illustrate the fact that it's fun and OK to not always be perfect, not always be something between cold and hot.

"A person's face tells much about their character and feeling."

2010-10-16T00:09:00.007+02:00

Mettrie L.

I have not changed my mind yet and this is the third illustration of the nine I will put on my wall. I'm really into the first one with coulors, but the black and white fits best to my home furnishing. My illustrations style have change a little bit because I don't paint with watercolours for the moment. Hope you still like it.

"Sometimes I'm so sweet even I can't stand it."

2010-10-11T00:02:00.002+02:00

Julie Andrews

A new illustration for my wall and my bloglovin.

"Every good picture leaves the painter eager to start again,

2010-10-08T16:10:00.016+02:00

unsatisfied, inspired by the rich mine in which he is working, hoping for more energey, more vitality, more time - condemned to painting for life."
John Sloan

I change my mind, which happens quite often. I've decided to make nine new illustrations for my wall instead of the nine I showed you in my post a couple of weeks ago. If I don't change my mind again will this be the first illustration of the nine. It's the second version I will use for my wall. Wish you a wonderful weekend!

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower".

2010-10-04T19:06:00.008+02:00

Albert Camus

Two weeks ago, after a day's homework, I was really bored! I decided to do something I havn't done in years. I did put on some more make up, fixed my hair and asked my sister if she wanted to come with me and take some pictures outside. She is really talented. I edit the pictures in photoshop and this is the result of the shot. Hope you like it!! It was so much fun! Thank you sis!

Irina Balog, who is the photographer that use to take pictures of me, have finally get her own website, if you want, check it out!

Photographer : Maria Urban
Edit : Johanna Urban
Model : Johanna Urban

Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot; others transform a yellow spot into the sun."

2010-09-25T20:48:00.008+02:00

Pablo Picasso

As you already know is my favorite season autumn. One reason why I love the fall is the warm colors.

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and return home to find it".

2010-09-15T16:50:00.005+02:00

George Moore

I have been in London four days. It have been an amazing and beautiful experience. London is a fantastic city full of suprices and intresting people. By doing something special, like seeing a little bit of the world, I grow.

"I go to London, my favourite city in the world, and I feel at home."

2010-09-10T22:56:00.010+02:00

Boris Becker

Two friends and I are in London for the weekend! I have not had enough time to paint. But this is a year old illustration I havn't shown. Have a wonderful day!

"Let a hundred flower bloom."

2010-09-05T00:00:00.019+02:00

Mao Zedong

I was recently tagged by Limitless Fashion with "Eight to the eight to the eight" tag.

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? There are so many places in the world. But I wouldn't mind living in Paris for a bit. The city of Love and Fashion.

2.What is your favourite season and why? My favorite season is the autumn because the swedish fall is the most beautiful. The forest is on fire.

3.What do you most enjoy doing in your spare time? I love being with my family and friends but the most precious moments are when I do something creative or reading a really good book.

4. Would you prefer to be a sea-air-or land animal, and why? My answer is air animal. I would love to be able to fly. See everything from a different perspective.

5. If you could bring someone back from the dead, who would it be? I wouldn't, but it would have been amazing to see Mona Lisa in real life!

6.What do you wear most often, jeans, leggings or a combination of both? I wear leggings all the time. Love it!

7.What is your favourite flower? My favorite flower is the white tulip.

8.What do you like most about blogging? I like the fact that someone on the other side of the world can see my art. That's beyond my mind.

I'm tagging: NINA ELIA DENISE ANNA PETER WIBKE SARAH KAT

With these questions:
1. What are you most proud of?
2. What's your most valuable possession?
3. What does your name means?
4. What's your dream job?
5. How would you define your personal style?
6. What is happiness to you?
7. What do you waste your time on?
8. What do you like most about blogging?

EDIT: Answers the questions and then come up with 8 your self and tag 8 other people!

This is more photos from my shot with Irina Balog.

"Old times, never come back and I suppose it's just as well. What comes back is a new morning every day in the year, and that's better."

2010-09-01T11:02:00.006+02:00

George E. Woodberry

This illustration reminds me of how I used to paint in High school. It was a good time with a lots of fun!

"You'll be in my heart.. No matter what they say.. You'll be right here in my heart. Always"

2010-08-27T00:13:00.007+02:00

Usher

I haven't seen Eclipse, but the soundtrack My Love by Sia is absolutely amazing. This song and her unbelievable voice inspierd me to paint. You can illustrate this song in thousand differents ways but this is my interpretation.

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."

2010-08-15T10:51:00.008+02:00

Alexander Woollcott

My inspiration, believe it or not, is coming from a YouTube clip, Prince Poppycock, from America got talent. I had so much fun watching his show. I love the make-up, the glamour and his amazing voice. If I could choose any job I wanted in the world and had the talent for it (little embarrassing but true) it would be a opera singer. Amazing. Even though the illustration doesn't look like Prince Poppycock, he was my inspiration when I painted this woman.

Följ min blogg med bloglovin

"Life is a succession of moments, To live each on is to succed."

2010-08-07T17:53:00.007+02:00

Corita Kent

I painted this illustration three weeks ago but I haven't had inspiration to work it in my computer. Today I was free from work, alone in my house and the perfect moment came along. Enjoy.

Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare. False friends are like leaves, found everywhere.”

2010-08-01T11:44:00.007+02:00

Eleanor Roosevelt

I was thirteen years old when my family and I moved from Hasslö. I liked it, but I did miss a friend very much. Her name was Isabell Fredriksson, after eleven years we are still best friends. We know everything about each other and she is very dear to me. This is a portrait of her. Love you!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on."

2010-07-25T21:36:00.012+02:00

Robert Frost

This illustration did not turn out as I planned. When I started painting it was supposed to be something romantic and joyful. Instead, as you can se, she looks pretty miserable. Still I really into her and think her expression speeks for itselfs. Life can be hard but as Robert Frost says it goes on.

"A photo is a creation."

2010-07-20T01:00:00.012+02:00

Eva Herzigova

For a couple of weeks ago I went to Gothenburg for another shot with Irina Balog. It's the third time we meet since The Studio for a half year ago. She took some amazing pictures and I hope you like them.

Photographer : Irina Balog
Hair & Make up : Irina Balog
Model : Johanna Urban

"Everyone is like a butterfly,

2010-07-15T18:24:00.011+02:00

they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves".

Drew Barrymore

"Only do what your heart tells you."

2010-07-05T20:00:00.008+02:00

Princess Diana Frances Spencer

June 19, Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria wed her former personal trainer Daniel Westling in Stockholm. It was an incredible wedding and I cried the hole time. Agnes and Björn Skifs sang an amazing song. My inspiration for this illustration was the fairytale princess. Wish you a wonderful day!

"Take a second look; it costs you nothing".

2010-07-01T22:24:00.010+02:00

Chinese proverb

Three weeks off, I'm back. This illustration was inspired by the summer, which have been wonderful in Sweden!

"What is life?...

2010-06-09T11:17:00.015+02:00

It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." Crowfoot

When I started painting this illustration I didn't know where it would end. I painted without thinking, as I promised myself. It turned out that I actually painted a day, or should I say, a night dreaming girl.

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort".

2010-06-04T18:00:00.011+02:00

Jane Austen

Summer break has arived. A hard year of studying has finally come to an end. I can at last peacefully lay back and take a deep breath... and think of absolutely nothing!

"I wish I'd known early what I had to learn late."

2010-05-30T11:03:00.004+02:00

Richie Ashburn

I have exam next week, wish me good luck!

"In summer, the song sings itselfs."

2010-05-24T00:05:00.006+02:00

William Carlos Williams

After a long and cold winter, the Summer is finally here.

Johanna Urban

2010-05-20T00:02:00.005+02:00

For a half year ago I went to a photo studio in Gothenburg. It's not as fancy as it sounds, it's a studio for girl's who wants to be models for a day, but it's really, really fun! The photographer, named Irina Balog, took some great photos! I hope you will enjoy them as I did.

"A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless."

2010-05-16T11:42:00.014+02:00

May Sarton

The day before yesterday I saw a beautiful chair in a second hand store. When I got home all I wanted to do was to draw a chair.

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

2010-05-12T07:10:00.003+02:00

John Lennon

When I have a feeling inside of me or a story I want to tell, I paint. Today I was listening to one of the most beautiful songs I know, Song from a Secret Garden. The music told me a story. A story about hope and despair. A story about something beautiful and vulnerable. A story about dreams. Somehow I wanted to paint the story.

"Paint is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do."

2010-05-03T16:08:00.008+02:00

Edgar Degas

I thought it would be fun and interesting for you to know how I create my pictures. The hardest part is to decide what I want to paint, I have so many ideas and things I want to do. After I have decided what I want to do; I draw the illustration first with a pencil, and then fill in the lines with black watercolours. When that's done I work the illustration in my computer for the finished look.

"A friendship that can end never really began".

2010-05-01T17:36:00.003+02:00

Pubilius Syrus

I'm going to be honest with you all, I'm not very good at portraits. But Lina, who's one of my best friends, asked me if I wanted to make an illustration of her. So even if I find portraits very difficult I decided to do my best. This is my first official portraits of Lina. I hope you like it.

Inspired by 1920

2010-04-30T07:45:00.006+02:00

For a couple of days ago my wonderful little sister came up with a great idea. She asked me if I could't paint people inspired by fashion from 19th century. Of course I loved her idea! I started to paint as fast as I got to my room there I have my papers, watercolours and my computer! I painted a woman inspired by 1920. I hope you enjoy her, because I loved to paint her.

"If I like it, Ill by it; pure impulse shopping."

2010-04-25T13:19:00.014+02:00

Kristin Kreuk

Today's painting was a request by a dear friend, Missy, who asked me if I could paint a header, with a girl who carrying shopping bags, for her blog. I thought it would be a really fun challenge and an opportunity to do somthing different then I usually do. For the most of the time I paint faces, but as we all know: If you want to grow and develop you have to try new things!

"Beauty is not caused. It is."

2010-04-21T11:10:00.005+02:00

Emily Dickinson

"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today".

2010-04-17T11:10:00.004+02:00

Miquel de Cervantes Saavedra

"A woman knows the face of the man she loves like a sailor knows the open sea".

2010-04-12T13:16:00.004+02:00

Honoré de Balzac

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."

2010-04-10T09:47:00.014+02:00

Anton Checkhov

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasent: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet

Photo's by Irina Balog