To get a piece from Lykketegning — which translates to “happy drawing” — delivered from Norway to the United States, it typically costs about 150 krones, or a little over $18, in shipping. But when Pacific Beach resident Jill Noreen ordered a custom drawing of herself and her two daughters, artist Ingebjoerg Sjaaland decided it was best delivered in person.??
After all, she was going there anyway.??
About a year ago, Sjaaland planned a monthlong trip with her husband and two children to explore the United States’ West Coast. It was one of the many perks of leaving her full-time job as a child protection educator working with deaf children to start her own illustration business from home. Her family’s first stop was in San Diego, so she made plans to meet up with Noreen and give her the drawing.??
“When she made the order, I didn’t know she was from San Diego,” Sjaaland said. “She wrote in her address, and I was like, ‘Oh, I am going to San Diego!’ So I can’t say I do personal deliveries all the time — though that would be a good service.”??
“Everything just kind of came into place,” Noreen said. “Crazy to be talking to someone across the world who will be by your house tomorrow.”??
Sjaaland said she hasn’t had many orders from the United States, but hopes that soon will change seeing as how much she’s enjoyed her visit so far. During her family’s few days in San Diego, they’ve ridden bikes along Pacific Beach, explored Old Town, got splashed at SeaWorld and tried surfing. Needless to say, Sjaaland will be returning home with a lot of inspiration.
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“The sun, the palms, the beaches and I really love American people. You’re so polite, and you’re so nice and you’re so welcoming for tourists. I think American people are lovely.”??
No matter where in the world her creativity will spark from — her next West Coast destinations are LA, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon — the message of her work stays the same.??
“It’s all about bringing out joy,” she said. “I think you have to look for the good things. You have to care for the good things, because there are a lot of bad things happening. And I think the drawings are a lot about that. Which direction do you want to look?”??
“Happiness. That’s the focus.”??
In addition to her custom drawings, she has other drawings, mugs and T-shirts for sale featuring her work. For more information about her and Lykketegning, visit lykketegning.no or follow her on Instagram at @lykketegning.
After all, she was going there anyway.??
About a year ago, Sjaaland planned a monthlong trip with her husband and two children to explore the United States’ West Coast. It was one of the many perks of leaving her full-time job as a child protection educator working with deaf children to start her own illustration business from home. Her family’s first stop was in San Diego, so she made plans to meet up with Noreen and give her the drawing.??
“When she made the order, I didn’t know she was from San Diego,” Sjaaland said. “She wrote in her address, and I was like, ‘Oh, I am going to San Diego!’ So I can’t say I do personal deliveries all the time — though that would be a good service.”??
“Everything just kind of came into place,” Noreen said. “Crazy to be talking to someone across the world who will be by your house tomorrow.”??
Sjaaland said she hasn’t had many orders from the United States, but hopes that soon will change seeing as how much she’s enjoyed her visit so far. During her family’s few days in San Diego, they’ve ridden bikes along Pacific Beach, explored Old Town, got splashed at SeaWorld and tried surfing. Needless to say, Sjaaland will be returning home with a lot of inspiration.
?
“The sun, the palms, the beaches and I really love American people. You’re so polite, and you’re so nice and you’re so welcoming for tourists. I think American people are lovely.”??
No matter where in the world her creativity will spark from — her next West Coast destinations are LA, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon — the message of her work stays the same.??
“It’s all about bringing out joy,” she said. “I think you have to look for the good things. You have to care for the good things, because there are a lot of bad things happening. And I think the drawings are a lot about that. Which direction do you want to look?”??
“Happiness. That’s the focus.”??
In addition to her custom drawings, she has other drawings, mugs and T-shirts for sale featuring her work. For more information about her and Lykketegning, visit lykketegning.no or follow her on Instagram at @lykketegning.
