RACHEL GILBERT
Fine Artist, Tattooer, Owner
About
Rachel’s journey with tattooing began in 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—long before the world was awash in tattoo reality shows and on-screen dramatics. Drawn by the magnetic pull of creativity and community, she made her way to Portland in 2007, where she found inspiration among a vibrant collective of artists and a city that truly values the craft.
Her signature style? Whimsical 3D realism, infused with vibrant color and ornate detail. Rachel’s work often blooms from nature’s quieter corners—delicate flowers, juicy fruits, curious bugs, elegant birds, and charming little sea creatures with faces you can’t help but love. Even skulls, in her hands, become elegant relics, wrapped in pearls, framed in flourishes, and maybe accompanied by a surprise ladybug or two.
Rachel is also a go-to artist for transformative work—whether it’s a full tattoo cover-up or a “tattoo facelift” to breathe new life into something old and faded. She believes tattoos should make you smile every time you catch them in the mirror. Life’s too short for tattoos that don’t make you happy.
When she’s not in the studio, Rachel’s likely on a joyride in a vintage VW, singing at the top of her lungs (karaoke or not), scuba diving into another world, or doting on her absurdly cute dogs (and yes, she will show you photos). Fair warning: she sings while she tattoos—so come ready for a serenade.
I invite you to contact me for a consultation – let’s work together to create something unique and beautiful!
Baby badger and cicada by @inkstress
What a fun day! Thanks, Robin, for this adorable project!
#rachelgilbert
#inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo #crittertattoo #naturetattoo
Always let your true colors shine!
Roly poly bugs by @inkstress
Thanks for another fun day, Amber! You rock!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo #witchinghourtattoo #naturetattoo #crittertattoo #bugtattoo
More progress on Cat`s kick-ass cover up!
Thanks for another great day!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #beforeandafter #coveruptattoo #whatcoverup #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo
Manatee by @inkstress
Part fresh, part healed, I got to do a little touch up on this sea buddy and it was so nice to see him again!
I`m always down for weird, whimsical, anthropomorphic animals, bring `em all to me!!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo #sealifetattoo #underwatertattoo #whimsicaltattoo #manateetattoo
It`s only 1 week until our next gallery opening (✨"Solstice Light"✨) AND my birthday!! 🥳
As part of the celebration I`ll be selling these decorative little storage boxes I made! 🎁
Perfect for jewelry, DnD dice, miscellaneous souvenirs, etc...
Check `em out on June 7th, 4-9pm, at Witching Hour Tattoo!
(If you have to miss the big party, the artwork will be on display until August - but please don`t miss the big party!)
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo #womanownedbusiness
In progress work by @inkstress
More progress on Angelina`s lovely octopus!
Thanks for another great day!
So close to complete.....
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #octonation #octopustattoo #sealifetattoo #underwatertattoo #floraltattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo
Re-centered a star that was knocked off course by a broken collarbone, and added a couple of bee body guards to keep it in place!
Big thanks to my longtime dear friend and constant supporter @avg.cadaver , I wouldn`t be where I am today without you 🖤
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #beforeandafter #beetattoo
Witchy book stack by @inkstress !
So many thanks to Brianna for bringing me this fun, spooky project!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #witchytattoo #bookstattoo #spookytattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo
Before and after!
Big thanks to Caitlyn for another great day reworking her existing sleeve!
Already looking forward to next time!
Life is too short for tattoos that don`t make you happy! Get `em fixed!
#witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #beforeandafter #tattooglowup #tattoofacelift #tattoofixup
Thank you, Lyndsey, for all your trust and patience while we gave these birds a facelift and a new floral home! Enjoy!
Life is too short for tattoos that don`t make you happy - fix it up!
#beforeandafter #tattooglowup #tattoofacelift #tattoofixup #rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo
A progress shot of Ali`s underwater arm...
Can`t wait to do more!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #inprogress #underwatertattoo #sealifetattoo #aquatictattoo #seaturtle
Our new exhibit kicks off Saturday June 7th!
It`s also my birthday! 🥳🥳🥳
If you like art, wine, cake, sunlight, and general joy and happiness, you should come by!
Amazing artwork by:
@cchampagnephotography
@abbywilliams.studio
@eveningglassdesign
@slaytheimage
@cordelorr
@naturalistandco
I`ll also be selling my decorative storage boxes (perfect for jewelry, knickknacks, DnD dice....)
Artwork will be on display and available for purchase until August, but you don`t want to miss the opening night party!
I look forward to seeing you all there! 😁
All of us at @witchinghourtattoo are submitting custom designed skate decks for the @adxportland show kicking off *June 6th*!
This was a lot of fun and I can`t wait to see what everyone else did with their decks!
Life is short. Buy some art!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #adxportland #gallerynight
Life is short. Buy some ART.
Shannon Wheeler exhibition on display until June!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo #toomuchcoffeeman #comicart
I`m having so much fun working on this mixed media decoupage skate board deck for the @adxportland show, kicking off June 6th! See ya there!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #adxportland #summerskatedeckshow
Come celebrate the opening night of our next gallery exhibition!
Solstice Light will feature 6 amazing Oregon artists, AND we`ll be celebrating my birthday! There will be cake!
And art!
And color! And general happiness!
Plan on joining us June 7th from 4-9 for the big party!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #gallerynight #summersolstice
Oh yeah, and it`s a cover up, too!
Thanks again, Erika! You rock!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #beforeandafter #coveruptattoo #whatcoverup
Floral/nature by @inkstress
Oh my GAWD I have GOT to get better at videos! 🤣
Thank goodness Erika looks amazing regardless of my videographer skills!
Thanks for a rad project and lovely company!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo #witchinghourtattoo #naturetattoo #botanicaltattoo #floraltattoo #whimsicaltattoo
*Healed* sunflower 🌻 by @inkstress
Thanks, Dolly!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #floraltattoo #naturetattoo #botanicaltattoo
Progress shot - octopus by @inkstress !
Another great day of great progress on this lovely lady`s arm!
More fun to come....
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo #underwatertattoo #sealifetattoo #octopustattoo #octonation
Jellyfish by @inkstress !
I love underwater creatures!
Huge thanks to @slaytheimage for all her trust and patience and general awesome company 💕
#inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #rachelgilbert #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #pdxtattoo #oregontattoo #sealifetattoo #underwatertattoo #jellyfishtattoo #whimsicaltattoo
We have done extensive research. Buying art makes it all a little better!
Come see for yourself!
Current display available for appreciation and purchase until June!
#witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #inkstress #toomuchcoffeeman #existentialdread #buyingartmakesitbetter #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo
Cover up by @inkstress !
Big thanks to Kelsey for all her patience and trust letting me do this cover up for her!
You were a delight!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #coveruptattoo #beforeandafter #whatcoverup #naturetattoo #botanicaltattoo #whimsicaltattoo #gnometattoo
By @inkstress
Got a great start to today on revamping Caitlyn`s lovely sleeve...
Thanks for a fun day!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #beforeandafter #tattooglowup #tattoofacelift #tattoofixup
Evolution of a Cover-Up by @inkstress !
Thank for your patience, Melissa!
#inkstress
#tattoosbyinkstress #rachelgilbert #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #beforeandafter #tattoocoverup #whatcoverup #nothisanymore
@myinklady has some fantastic pieces on display and for sale at @witchinghourtattoo until June!
Life is short - treat yourself - buy some art!
#witchinghourtattoopdx #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo #witchinghourtattoo #oddityart #skulls
Belted Kingfisher tattoo by @inkstress
Thank you, @arikohlson , for another fun day! Enjoy your new buddy!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #oregontattoo #pdxtattoo #naturetattoo #witchinghourtattoo #botanicaltattoo #putabirdonit #kingfisher
(by @inkstress)
Before and after! Big thanks to Lyndsey for trusting me to give these birds a little facelift!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #beforeandafter #tattoofixup #tattoofacelift #tattooglowup
(by @inkstress)
Sneak peak at the progress we made today on Nikki`s lovely leg!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #floraltattoo #naturetattoo #botanicaltattoo #cicadatattoo
By @inkstress
Got a great start this week on what will be an epic and lovely sleeve for Stacey!
Thanks for an awesome first session!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #tattoosbyinkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #witchinghourtattoo #floraltattoo #naturetattoo #pnwtattoo
