54_Art Source.qxp_49/51 06/03/2025 15:40 Page 1
Art Source
Grande In The Hand
Swedish illustrator Maja Lindberg is not short of claims to fame. She’s illustrated a book for Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus, one of her designs was the clutch bag of choice for Ariane Grande at the recent Wicked premiere, and her ethereal artwork graces the portfolios of Museums & Galleries, Flame Tree Publishing, Santoro among others. PG joins Maja on her creative journey.
“I am a Swedish artist and illustrator. I live and work as an illustrator in a seaside village called Lomma in the south of Sweden, together with my Above: Maja Lindberg. husband and teenage daughter (while my son lives and works in Helsinki, Finland). Ever since I was a young girl I’ve been obsessed by craft. My mum was a preschool teacher and she used to try out different craft materials with me and my friends. I think there’s where my need for being creative started. I’ve been working as an illustrator for over ten years now. Earlier in my life I was a ceramic artist and a web assistant, but returning to Sweden after three years in China with my family, I found myself unemployed and so I started to Above: Ariane Grande with draw. I bought a an Olympia le Tan embroidered book clutch printer and set up bag based on a design by a store at Maja Lindberg. Left: A spring design by Etsy.com and Maja. from then on I was hooked for a life as an illustrator. I am inspired by fairytales, dreams, and childhood memories. My work is colourful with a hint of dark in it, often a little melancholic with a dreamy touch. Most of my work is digital illustration using Procreate. The first book that I illustrated, was The Little White Piano, a children’s book by Björn Ulvaeus (from ABBA). It was a huge honour just being asked and gave me a taste for working on more books! I have been fortunate to have had my work now published on eight children’s books. However, I am also excited that my work has appeared on all manner of products, including greeting cards published by Museums & Galleries, Sellers Publishing, Santoro London and
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Below left: There’s a touch of the fairytale about some of Maja’s deisgns. Below right: An advent calendar from Flame Tree based on Maja’s artwork.
Trader Joes. Meanwhile my Twelve Days of Christmas collection has been published by both Flame Tree Publishing and Nautilus Puzzles. I have also been commissioned to illustrate a whole circus-themed collection for a digital puzzle game Illustrated on Apple Arcade. And I was delighted that Ariane Grande chose to take an Olympia Le Tan book clutch bag based on my Wizard of Oz artwork to the recent Wicked film premiere! One question that I’m asked a lot is, where I get inspiration and Above: Rich characterisation by Maja. ideas from for my illustrations. Below: Some quirky festive cuteness And the answer is, everywhere. by Maja. I can watch a movie, think about a childhood memory, go to a museum, read a book etc. Mostly I start drawing one idea, but in the end it turns out to be something completely different from what I was planning. That is the beauty of life as an illustrator.”
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Maja Lindberg is represented for commissions and licensing by Jehane.
If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Jakki Brown on jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge.
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