For this new issue of Letter from… column, we asked toonpool.com artist Janne Christensen about her life and begged for some photographs of her working place and the city she lives in – Oslo, the city of 40 islands and 343 lakes within its boundaries. Janne is an art student in 2010’s second most expensive city in the world. Her biggest dream is to become a prestigious illustrator.
Janne is just doing a reversed snow angel
1. What was your dream last night?
I forgot my dream when I woke up, but normally I have some crazy dreams.
2. Next plans or ideas?
This is my last year studying illustration. I’m really not sure what to do after that. Some years ago I wanted to be a graphic designer, so I may attend a graphic design school here in Oslo or abroad.
3. Your food today?
Crisp bread with cheese, noodles, and water.. I’m a broke student.
The Oslo National Academy of the Arts
Breakfast at Bryggekanten, favourite restaurant and bar
4. Do you like your place or would you like to live somewhere else?
I love Oslo, but I will not stay here for the rest of my life. I think I might move to London or New York. You know… I’m twenty years old. I have my whole life in front of me.
5. What was the huge mistake in your life you (unfortunately) never made?
Travel all over the world before starting to study!
6. Who are your neighbors?
My neighbor next door is a grown up man so I don’t talk to him very often and there are actually some neighbors I’ve never seen!
View out of the window
Janne´s working table and toonpool.com's frontpage looking back at us
7. Tell me the shortest joke you know
Well.. I have a Norwegian one: “Det var en gang, så ble det en korridor”
(note: in English “Once upon a time (but “gang” olso means corridor), there was a corridor”)
8. Tell me the biggest prank you did on a friend.
Unfortunately I can’t remember.
9. How to ruin your vacation?
The vacation can’t be ruined, because I can’t remember the last time I actually had a vacation!!
When creating, never run out of markers!
10. In 1977 NASA has sent orbiters Voyager 1 and 2 into space which will never stop to fly through the universe by gravity. They contain the Voyager Golden Records with many testimonials of the whole mankind, greetings in 55 languages introduced by US president Jimmy Carter (“This is a present from a small, distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts and our feelings….”). The Golden Records with a lifespan of 500 million years at least are including drawings of a naked man and woman, detailed genitalia, many scientific graphics, sounds of planet earth and music by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart – and Chuck Berry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3haYAbqKjA
Maybe aliens out there will be shocked in some million years! But in case such a NASA mission will be replayed: which (1) of your artworks should join it?
My illustration named “Skaters”
The Skaters for Nassa
11. Please give us an answer to a question we didn’t ask!
It’s raining.
Having fun with the classmates
Perfectly balanced
Credits to Nicoleta Ionescu for talking with Janne Christensen
© toonpool.comTags: Interview, Janne Christensen, letter from, oslo, toonpool.com
Best to you, Janne, i hope your dreams will come true.
I’m sure a bright future awaits you …. well make sure to fill your portfolio and knock the most appropriate doors … this is a long way. I usually or always reposition the starting point …
Best luck, whether London or New York!
By the way, I didn’t knew that Oslo is the second most expensive city in the world …. is London’s most expensive city?
Great interview. Congratulations Niki and Janne!
Congratulation and GOOD LUCK, JANNE!!!
Good luck, enjoy your life, no matter which city or which continent!
I’ve always traveled a lot and still travel with passion for my life – it is the best study that could give me the gods!
The world is your greatest teacher!
Greetings to Oslo! …and all the best Janne!
i like your illustration of the skaters from nassa!
was a pleasure reading your interview..! good luck for the future!