About the Artist Bert Lybrand

In 1975, inside a Los Angeles rug shop, Bert Lybrand met Lisa Lynn Allen—and she must have made quite the impression.

That very evening, Bert came home and told his father, “I just met the woman I’m going to marry.” It would take four more years for their first date—on their shared birthday, no less!—before fate led them to a backyard wedding, the birth of a baby girl, and a big move to the Pacific Northwest when Bert was transferred from L.A. to the Portland branch of TC Advertising, Inc.

But Bert had bigger ambitions. He soon launched his own agency, Ashley Advertising, running it from the basement of their commercially zoned home on 52nd & Glisan. The family business helped co-found several iconic Portland neighborhood newspapers, including West Hills Bulletin and Preschool Times, along with various coupon books and publications.

After 24 years in the printing industry, Bert transitioned to market research, joining Market Decisions (later VuPoint Research). He quickly climbed the ranks—first as a recruiter, then as operations manager, account executive (specializing in legal research, jury selection, and mock and shadow juries), and ultimately, a company partner in 2010.

Yet, Bert never lost his creative spark. His passion for finding and gifting Lisa giraffe art led him to teach himself painting, plaster casting, glassblowing, and even welding—three of the giraffes in the front yard are his own creations.

Even in the family's leanest years, Bert remained deeply committed to giving back, a value he passed on to his daughters. He spent over 20 years delivering hot Meals on Wheels to seniors in assisted living and eventually served on the board of directors.

Now retired, Bert stays busy with real estate investing, GH restoration projects, and preserving The Giraffe House and The Lisa Allen Lybrand Memorial Collection & Gallery for future generations.

Want to meet Bert, hear his stories, and see his art? Join us for a 'Meet The Artist' Talk or book a GH guided tour.

Learn more about the man, his art, and his mission.