By Cynthia Coburn, Contributing Writer
When Redbird studio owner Mel was in kindergarten, she loved to draw and was given the nickname Redbird. She started putting little red birds on the back of cards that she drew for her mom. In 2004, Mel turned her love of illustration into a line of greeting cards and on April 1st, 2006 Mel and her business partner Paul opened Redbird Studio. Located at 2927 NE Alberta St.next to Claudio Starzak Jewelry, Redbird has been in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years.
Originally at the Portland Saturday Market, they were lucky to move into part of the HiiH Gallery space by having connections in the art community. In 2020, Paul decided to focus on his music career and family. Mel was ready to take on the studio as a solopreneur.
Since then, Mel has expanded the business from her original greeting card line to include stationery, baby onesies, bags and screen prints and she manages illustration, painting, silk screening and hand making each piece. She also fulfills online orders from her Etsy shop.
While it has had its challenges running the shop by herself, she says it has been gratifying and she has enjoyed bringing her vision to fruition. She may run the studio by herself, but she is surrounded by many talented artists on Alberta Street.
“We help each other and I am thankful for the support and friendships I’ve made over the years,” she says.
Mel grew up on the edge of Lewis and Thurston county in Washington. She went to school and spent time in Centralia, Washington. She shared a memory of her dad, saying he was a mechanic and opened up his own shop in Rochester, WA on April Fool’s Day, just like Redbird Studio, although she didn’t know about the coincidence until after she opened Redbird.
If you’ve had the pleasure of shopping at Redbird Studio, you know how special her cards and gifts are. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say “hi” or you can find her online at etsy.com/shop/redbirdstudiopdx.
Cynthia Coburn is a retired graphic designer who has lived in the Concordia neighborhood for over 20 years. You can find her and Daisy, her dog, walking in the neighborhood or working in her yard and garden. Favorite motto: Life is good in the neighborhood!