HELLO: My name is Emily Engdahl.
I am a mixed media artist who explores the intersection of socialist feminism and occultism in my work. I create transcendent temples of conceptual art, using a variety of symbols, forms, and techniques. My palette ranges from pastel to bright, and my materials include photos, ai, collage, metallics, gouache, acrylics, ink, watercolors, and gold leafing.
Besides being an artist, I am also a graphic designer, a published author and poet, a trained mediator, and an entrepreneur. I have a passion for initiating, healing, coaching, connecting, and curating new ideas. I am a visionary symbolist who seeks to inspire others with my art.
INSPIRATION : I am drawn to colorful and psychedelic worlds, influenced by 1970’s rock posters and Swedish modern design. I use pastels, textures, and dissonance to create art from recycled materials. I am fascinated by natural history, folklore, mysticism, and carnival themes. My inspirations include Tasha Tudor, Maurice Sendak, Wes Anderson, Hilma af Klint, and folk art.
PAST LIFE: craft beer writer, professional fiduciary and case manager for mentally ill and elderly folks, executive director of a global non-profit for women. I’ve been ordained as a member of the Spiritual Humanist clergy for over twenty years. I never met a challenge I didn’t end up loving.
I am a lifelong Northwest Oregonian (several generations, atomically and cosmically rooted). My partner, Justin, and I are renovating a formerly defunct 1920s grocery store. We live in a tiny cabin in the woods, highlight art and adventures from our travels, and occasionally show our work. I stock the treasures I find at Menagerie Co-Op, where I am also the creative director, in Astoria, Oregon.
MY BRAIN: Have you ever heard of a place called Meow Wulf? That’s pretty much it.
Art for me is a way to express myself when I don’t know what I feel - it helps to fill the void, to connect with happiness, delight, frustration, or any other emotion - as well as to narrate current events and log spiritual and mystical experiences or dreams and visions that I have.
CURRENTLY LOVING: downsizing.
FREEING MY TIME FOR: what’s next and letting go of what no longer serves me. watching my children become young adults. building community. I'm an unapologetic believer in nature’s bounty, rest to balance good work, anti-conspicuous consumption, magickal thinking, solid values, and the power of people to do good things. I'm also a voracious reader, a joker, hiker, gardener, human and dog mama, an animal lover, sculptor, picker, crafter, DIY fanatic, herb collector, energy practitioner, spell maker, moon follower, enthusiastic rock hound, collector of odds and ends, and a joyful liver of life. I aspire to befriend crows or ravens but I suspect they know my ulterior motives.
Ideas?
Take a peek around. Need assistance? Let’s see what I can do to help.
Email emily@tinebristlecoastal.com. Find me on social media: