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This Artist And Activist’s Portland, OR, Shop Delivers Color And Hope

by BUST Magazine

What’s not to love about artist Lisa Congdon? Her bright, exuberant aesthetic is infused with a clear commitment to feminism and inclusion. “People need hope,” says Congdon, who relocated from San Francisco to Portland, OR, a few years back to be closer to family, and for a slower pace of life with her wife, Clay Walsh. Congdon’s body of work—including books like Art, Inc.: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist, REI’s “Force of Nature” gender-equality campaign, and her celebrated “Protect the Vulnerable” image that became emblematic of the Women’s March—is ubiquitous. And it’s considerable enough to fill a whole retail store, which she opened in North Portland’s Industrial Row in October. From the cheerful pink assemblage above her counter to the glass display of one-of-a-kind art pieces to the cavalcade of beautifully arranged shiny objects, it’s a warm, inviting space. “People say it makes them happy,” Congdon says of her eponymous shop that doubles as her studio. Lately, Congdon’s been using her platform to support women running for political office, trans women of color, and an LGBT youth leadership camp called Brave Trails. Whether it’s through art or activism—or both—Congdon is continually putting more beauty into the world. Below are her personally curated picks from her shop (most of which are also available at lisacongdon.etsy.com). ?

cat stickers b3f73“Begin Anyhow” Journal ($9)

“Who doesn’t love a journal that reminds you each time you open it that you get to start again?”

glorious3d 22491“A Glorious Freedom: Older Women Leading Extraordinary Lives” by Lisa Congdon ($19.95)

“This book is a celebration of women who hit their stride at a later age and are doing amazing things.”

Protect the Vulnerable border 12bd4“Protect the Vulnerable” Art Print ($42)

“This 11×14-inch print is a reminder to defend the rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable in our society right now.”

woodenhouses1 7e350Hand-Painted Wooden Houses ($60 to $150, available only in-stores)

“I love painting simple, minimalist wooden houses. Each one is unique with different combinations of graphic color and symbols.”

 

cat stickers b3f73“I Can’t Even” Cat Sticker Set ($5)

“Sassy cats. That is all.”

 

By Korina Devincenzi
Photographed by Chris Dibble
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

 

 

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Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

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