RACHEL GILBERT
Co-Owner, Fine Artist, Inkstress
About
Rachel Gilbert’s journey with tattooing began in 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsinβlong 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. Rachelβs work often blooms from natureβs quieter cornersβdelicate flowers, juicy fruits, curious bugs, elegant birds, and charming little sea creatures with faces you canβt 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 workβwhether itβs a full tattoo cover-up or a βtattoo faceliftβ to breathe new life into something old and faded. She believes tattoos should make you smile every time you catch them in the mirror. Lifeβs too short for tattoos that don’t make you happy.
When she’s not in the studio, Rachelβs 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 tattoosβso come ready for a serenade.
I invite you to contact me for a consultation – letβs work together to create something unique and beautiful!
More progress today on @sailor_steph7 `s super serene leg scene!
Thanks for another great day!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #animaltattoo #crittertattoo
β’ tanuki β’ fox β’ raccoon dog β’ float β’ fishing β’ crane β’ Portland β’ Oregon β’ female tattoo artist β’ calmβ’
A trans-terrific jellyfish, and a happily healed banana slug!
Thanks for another great day, Jacob!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #naturetattoo #crittertattoo
β’ Portland β’ Oregon β’ female tattoo artist β’ trans visibility β’ underwater tattoo β’ sealife tattooβ’
Before and after!
Thank you, Catherine, for coming all the way to Portland so I could give your tattoo a facelift!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #tattooglowup #tattoofacelift
Tattoo fix up β’ tattoo revamp β’ Portland β’ Oregon β’
A better view of Michelle`s tropical cover up!
#inkstress #rachelgilbert #witchinghourtattoopdx #naturetattoo #tropicaltattoo
β’Portlandβ’Oregonβ’female tattoo artistβ’botanicaltattooβ’witching hourβ’
Completed cover up for Michelle!
Thanks so much for your trust and patience while we transformed your tattoo from tribal to tropical!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #tattoocoverup #whatcoverup
β’portlandβ’oregonβ’femaleβ’tattoo artistβ’witching hourβ’pnwβ’before and afterβ’tropical tattooβ’
A fun floral cover to for @khoa_l !
Thanks for another great project, it`s always a pleasure working with you my friend!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #coveruptattoo #whatcoverup
(For the algorithm) Oh! To be a β’ female β’ tattoo artist β’ in Portland Oregon β’ at female ownedβ’ Witching Hour Tattoo β’ doing cover up tattoos β’ yay look at this β’ before and after β’
Great first day working on Michelle`s fun floral cover up!
Thanks for the patience and trust, I`m excited for step 2....!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #beforeandafter #coveruptattoo
Before and After!
Many thank yous to Carey for trusting me with this rework!
We are going to do one final pass on the peony (it is healed in this photo) but I just couldn`t wait to share this project...
Life is too short to put up with tattoos that don`t bring you joy. Does your tattoo need a makeover? Let`s talk about it!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #tattoocoverup #beforeandafter
A lightly suggestive lady slipper for Blue!
(And yes, the ..resemblance.. is on purpose)
Much fun! Thanks for a great day!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #floraltattoo #naturetattoo
A pretty little ball of yarn for Claudia!
Thank you!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #smalltattoo #yarntattoo
*in progress*
Today we started a fabulous face lift for Shannon!
More before-and-after views to come...
Thanks for a great start!
#rachelgilbert #inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #beforeandafter #tattoofacelift
#twinpeaks sleeve!! π²ποΈβπ₯§π©π¦πͺ΅
Many many thanks to Matt for persevering and traveling back and forth to Portland for years in order to complete this epic tattoo!
How many details from the show can you spot? There`s a lot!
#rachelgilbert
#inkstress #witchinghourtattoopdx #theowlsarenotwhattheyseem
