TRAVIS WHEELER
Fine Artist, Tattooer, Muralist
About
Travis Wheeler, also known in the art world as Borrowed Times, is a highly respected tattoo artist celebrated for his breathtaking realism and exceptional versatility across mediums. With a deep passion for visual storytelling and fine detail, Travis has carved out a reputation as one of the most skilled realism tattooists in the region. His work is known for its emotional depth, technical precision, and lifelike quality that leaves a lasting impression.
Travis’s journey into art began with street culture—his roots in sign painting and large-scale outdoor murals laid the foundation for his bold creative voice. Over the years, he has brought that same expressive energy into the tattoo studio, where he specializes in hyper-realistic portraits, nature scenes, and surreal compositions. Whether working in black-and-grey or color, Travis approaches each piece with the eye of a painter and the discipline of a craftsman.
In addition to realism, Travis is widely recognized for his incredible typography and lettering work. His background in sign painting and mural art has refined his ability to craft custom letterforms with personality, flow, and edge. Whether it’s a delicate script or a bold illustrative type treatment, Travis’s lettering tattoos are as thoughtfully composed as his imagery—balanced, impactful, and deeply personal.
Beyond the tattoo machine, Travis continues to contribute to the visual landscape through vibrant public art and mural work. His large-scale pieces can be found on walls and in communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, often blending urban grit with narrative beauty. Through both tattooing and muralism, Travis creates immersive experiences that connect with people on a personal level. The name Borrowed Times reflects Travis’s philosophy on life and art: that every moment—and every piece—is precious, temporary, and worth honoring. Whether you’re looking for a deeply meaningful tattoo, a standout piece of custom lettering, or a collaborative mural project, Travis brings passion, professionalism, and profound artistic vision to everything he touches.
Making some quicky A-Frames for the show this Friday. It’s all coming together. It feels like there’s smoke coming out of my ears…•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #signpainter #signpainting #portlandsignpainter #signage #murals #tattoos #blackandgreytattooing #pdxart #pdxartist
🚨WRITER’S BLOCK 2025🚨. This Friday from 4-9 @witchinghourtattoo . Come celebrate lettering of all kinds with the artists behind the signs, murals, fonts, burners, and tattoos that you love. Hip-Hop and Soul themed soundtrack with the always wonderful @forestavintage serving beverages. We’ll have @united_snakes_press and @thegetfucked selling so@e fun stuff out from as well.•
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Don’t miss this event!•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #letteringdaily #typography #typespire #goodtype #signpainting #portlandsignpainter #typography #portland #pdx #goodtypetuesday
Ever had a dream you couldn’t wake up from? Or even a dream that you did wake up from but couldn’t convince yourself it wasn’t real? How are we sure this thing we’re calling reality isn’t one of those moments?•
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There’s this over-emphasis in our culture on arriving. The house, the job, the vacation… how will you know when you get to the point you’ve decided happiness exists at?•
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This is not to say, simply, stop worrying and just be happy. That’s ignorant. There’s a huge divide between the pain of living and our need to project our idea of “happiness” on some obscure moment down the line. We’re all losing friends and family slowly until one day we too will drift off into some other plane of existence.•
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That’s not the main obstacle to finding some peace in the chaotic mess of life. It’s our inability to enjoy what’s right in front of us. Existing in the moment is one of the hardest things a person can do.•
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We all dream of endless summer days without cell phones glued to our hands demanding our attention. It’s not a day on vacation you need to work for all year long. It’s a moment in your backyard watching a cat pounce on flies. It’s all around you. The real tragedy isn’t that we’re all fading away in front of our own eyes. It’s our inability to enjoy the present moment. This failure is wrapped around our head like a wet towel.•
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Don’t try to solve the unsolvable. You can’t stop death. But you can wait patiently with a smile on your face while it’s still too busy to find you.
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#borrowedtimestudio #handlettering #signage #signpainting #portlandsignpainting #alwayshandpaint #murals #muralist #portland #typography #processvideo #lettering #letteringartist
Less than 1 week away @witchinghourtattoo will be hosting the Writer’s Block Group Lettering Exhibition that I’ve painstakingly curated over the last 2 months. Here is a complete and revised list of the participants. I’m extremely proud and grateful to everyone involved. Don’t miss this event.•
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Getting to see graffiti, sign painting, neon signs, oil painting, expert typographers, and tattooers all under one roof is something special. This may actually be the first show if it’s kind. But it certainly won’t be the last.•
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I’ve highlighted 8 more artists below and in the following slides:
1.) @borrowed_times_pdx
2.) @que.sera8
3.) @vk.signs
4.) @merlotism
5.) @inkstress
6.) @allakses
7.) @kan_goe
8.) @lil_yard_queen
This is one of my letter paintings that will be hanging in the first annual Writer’s Block Group lettering exhibition. I’ve curated a showing of over 35 lettering artists that will be held on August 1st from 4-9 @witchinghourtattoo on SE Hawthorne blvd and 20th. Come have a beer with us and talk about letters.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #signpainting #signpainter #portlandsignpainter #letteringart #letteringdaily #typography #typespire #font #portland #tattooing #letteringtattoos
Ten more artists from the upcoming show I curated. Work has been pouring in all week as I’m finishing the mural on the facade. I couldn’t feel luckier to be showing art alongside these folks. Come by our exhibition to see lettering from sign painters, graffiti writers, typographers, sculptors, and tattooers. August 1st from 4-9. 1960 SE Hawthorne Suite 102 @witchinghourtattoo . •
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Slides include:
1.) @peterpaidnyc
2.) @plasticbirdie
3.) @inknife_bob
4.) @heysus94
5.) @kirsten.m.bauer
6.) @artony_tattoo
7.) @san_ferncisco_studio
8.) @theearwig22
9.) @ashtonallentattoo
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #typography #typematters #goodtype #signpainting #portlandsignpainter #graffiti #murals #letteringartist #letters #pdxart #pdxartist #portlandoregon
My last corporate job was for a multinational corporation that controlled the concession rights for numerous national parks. If you wanted to live in paradise Delaware North Corporation aka DNC was gonna be your daddy.•
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They were our landlord and our boss. We were hunted by a security guard named Cowboy who actually wore a leather duster. He’d bust you for weed and get a higher scale of housing for it. You’d get a federal charge and lose your job as well as your tent cabin and all of your friends.•
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The head of housing was a Jaba the Hut type of character who had a harem of young Thai women. He had the best housing possible. Which was still only the equivalent to a hotel room somewhere outside of Bakersfield.•
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But we lived beneath waterfalls and granite walls that were so spectacular it felt like a religious pilgrimage to return each summer. Now that I know I’m not stuck I appreciate it more everyday. The stories and the characters are near and dear to my heart.•
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The bad part once again turned into the good part with just a little distance. That was almost 12 years ago now. I’m older and have few regrets. I don’t have a boat or even a garage to store one in. But I have stories… and a whole lot of great friends.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #tattooing #tattoos #murals #signpainting #signage #portland #blackandgreytattooing #typography #typespire #goodtype #handlettering #pdx #pdxartist #pdxtattooartist
It’s a great to to live on the West Coast. I’ll be outside all day waiting for artists to deliver their work to the gallery for Writer’s Block 2025. Cool breeze, @officialsugafreethapimp on the head phones, spray paint on my clothes… shit, might even get myself a burrito later.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #typography #typespire #goodtype #signpainting #graffiti #letteringdaily #portlandartist #tattoo #tattooer #blackandgreytattooing #artnouveaustyle
I’ll be showing of this big ol’ vintage Jesus plaque entitled Dude, that’s not what I meant in a couple weeks. We’ll be at the Writer’s Block art show @witchinghourtattoo on August 1st. Try to resurrect yourself from a wild summer and come say hi…. See what I did there?•
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We’ll be showing work from over 35 artists from around the west coast and as far away as Germany and NYC. Graffiti writers, sign painters, typographers, tattooers, and graphic artists. There will be something for everyone. •
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettered #handlettering #typography #goodtype #tattoo #letteringtattoo #portland #grafitti #muralist #signpainter #pdxevents #pdx
Resilient- (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #tattoo #tattooartist #letteringdaily #typography #typespire #goodtype #handmadefont #signpainter #signpainting #type #thedailytype #ligaturecollective
I had a great time finishing up Trevor’s first tattoo the other day. If anyone is looking to do some black and grey realism, landscapes, florals, lettering, or any combination just let me know. I’m booking up August and September currently. DM me direct fill out a form on my website.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #blackandgrey #blackandgreyrealism #tattoo #landscapetattoo #portlandtattooartist #pdxtattooer #tattooing #oregon #portland
Here’s the final list of artists for Writer’s Block Group Lettering Exhibition 2025. I’m super proud of this lineup and will continue to highlight the individual artists involved over the coming weeks.
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I’d like to thank everyone involved as well as @witchinghourtattoo for providing the perfect venue. Please come see us on Friday August 1st from 4-9. We’ll be celebrating letters in as many different styles and art forms as possible.•
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These slides contain just 8 of the 35 talented artists whose work will be gracing our walls.•
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1.) @kkade_schwarzmaler
2.) @bijoutype
3.) @welldonesigns
4.) @ksra_ksra
5.) @justinriede
6.) @electric.spaghetti.neon
7.) @eddiexcaine
8.) @allgoodsigns
Growth doesn’t announce itself…•
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It hasn’t been easy has it? The last decade has been draining and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Killer robots are no longer just an idea on late night television. They’re currently being employed by a half dozen different countries. Genocide is live streamed on pocket sized televisions.•
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All the while we have to dance like monkeys for the very same screens that display the daily horror show that is humanity. Wake up they say. But nightmares don’t work like that.•
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The tragedy of it all is that we’re doomed to lose ourselves in this chaos. Hyper focusing on a million conflicts thousands of miles away leaves you feeling hollow. No energy to enjoy a good sunset without guilt or to simply exist without the weight of the world on your shoulders.•
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But still you’ve made it this far. That’s gotta be enough some days. Take a second every now and then and look at how far you’ve come. How many lives have you lived? How many battles have you survived? It’s not for nothing that you’re even upright these days. If that’s not something to be proud of then I don’t know what is.
🚨BIG NEWS🚨 I’ve been making artwork for a living in Portland, Oregon for over a decade now. It’s all been built on a dream. Through hard work, determination, networking, and some plain ol’ good luck that dream has actually come true. Now it’s finally time for me to give back to an art community that has inspired, supported, and challenged me.•
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I’m excited to announce the opening of WRITER’S BLOCK group lettering exhibition on August 1st from 4-9. I’ve been quietly working with my pals @witchinghourtattoo to curate a 30+ person art show that focuses on typography in all of its many facets. From the abstraction of Graffiti and sculpture to the precise functionality of Sign Painting and type design. This show will host artists from Portland, Seattle, New York, and as far away as Germany. I could ramble on and on about how stoked I am but I’d rather let the lineup below speak for itself….
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Sign Painters:•
Bob Hansen - @inknife_bob
Bryan Yonki - @welldonesigns
Kirsten Bauer - @kirsten.m.bauer
Peter Paid - @peterpaidnyc
Alina Radetsky - @allgoodsigns
Fernando Garcia - @san_ferncisco_studio
Nigel Barnes - @electric.spaghetti.neon
Vladimir Kovalik - @vk.signs
Travis Wheeler - @borrowed_times_pdx
Justin Riede- @justinriede
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Graffiti Writers-
KKADE - @kkade_schwarzmaler
KANGO - @kan_goe
KSRA - @ksra_ksra
MISS MERLOT - @merlotism
EKOSE - @theearwig22
BOGUS - @rattlecans
AKSESONE - @allakses
CASETWELVE - @casetwelve
HEYSUS - @heysus94
Jeremy Nichols - @plasticbirdie
RONG - @opasit
FRESH - @freshiscool
McTools - @mctools
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Designers-
Dan Rhatigan - @bijoutype
Kyle Letendre - @heykyle
Stephen Pies - @harmonioustypeco
Alia Bright - @alia_bright
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Tattooers-
Israel G - @israelg_tattoo
Manuel Villagran - @que.sera8
Ashton Allen - @ashtonallentattoo
Luke Ruben - @luke_reuben
Rachel Gilbert - @inkstress
Eddie Caine - @eddiexcaine
Tony Ruiz- @artony_tattoo
Making a living off of your art is more than just difficult. It’s a battle through and through. Forgot about imposter syndrome. If you’re delusional enough to ignore that feeling you’ll be faced with countless obstacles. Taxes, recessions, out of range healthcare premiums, lack of retirement unless you “make it big.” I’m not even sure what that means anymore.•
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If you’re able to do it for long enough the only real thing keeping you from quitting some days are memories of old bosses. You become unable to bend the knee to corporate meetings or middle management turds. Then you’re lost. No turning back once you’ve tasted the freedom. What no one will tell you is that time is running out and eventually you’ll get stuck with the dream. Too old to turn back and too free to put the shackles back around your ankles.•
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My advice is to not get lost in the idea that there’s a utopia on the other side of self employment. This lifestyle isn’t for the sane and especially not the faint of heart. Imposter syndrome is the least of your worries.•
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I make signs, murals, and tattoos for a living. Have done so for over a decade. I’ve almost lost it all, including my mind, numerous times. But here I am… some perverse form of freedom on the other side of capitalist decline. I’ll never own a yacht but I’ll never have to wear another name tag again. For that so feel incredibly lucky.•
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#signpainting #typography #letteringart #portlandsignpainting #instaart #instagood #tattooing #portlandtattooer #pdxartist #alwayshandpaint #goodtype #thedailytype
Having a great time adding some random familial elements to my pal @neven tattoo. I’m currently booking for the end of July and all of August. I’m looking to do more black and grey realism tattoos, lettering tattoos, and any small color projects. DM or email to set up a free consultation and discuss your idea with me at Witching Hour Tattoo in Southeast Portland’s Hawthorne neighborhood.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #tattoo #tattooartist #tattooer #portlandtattooartist #pdxtattoo #blackandgreyrealism #letteringtattoo #typography #typespire #signpainter #lettering #letterartist
Got to add some roses to Spencer’s Oregon/Portland themed black and grey sleeve. I’m looking for more clients to do some realistic landscape and floral tattoos for August. I’m having a lot of fun with these this summer. DM me anytime or fill out a consultation request on my website. More mountains, lakes, and rivers! If I’m too busy to go see em I want to be tattooing em.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #portlandtattooartist #pdxtattooer #pdxtattoo #letteringartist #handlettering #portlandartist #blackandgreyrealism #realismtattoo #tattoorealistic
Thanks to everyone who came out for our Summer solstice art show at the @witchinghourtattoo gallery. We’d like to especially thank the artists who brought some seriously beautiful work to our walls.•
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It was a pleasure celebrating the official beginning of Summertime with you all. The work will be on display for the next few weeks. Stop by anytime during regular business hours and also on weekends to take a look.•
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@abbywilliams.studio
@naturalistandco
@slaytheimage
@eveningglassdesign
@cordelorr
@cchampagnephotography
More coastal landscape tattoos please. I had a blast starting this oregon themed sleeve on Spencer. I’m booking for July and August. Black and grey realism, lettering tattoos, my idea or yours. Contact me via email through my website or DM directly.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #haystackrock #pacificcityoregon #pacificocean #blackandgreytattooing #tattoo #blackandgreytattoo #landscape #portlandtattoo #pdxtattoo
This summer is gonna be a good one. I turn 45 in a few days so at the very least half of this crazy ride is over. The last few years have turned my beard white and I just don’t give a shit anymore.•
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I’m going to paint walls, tattoo skin, display some artwork in some galleries and try to enjoy myself. The news is scary and seems to keep getting worse. Is that a reason to become bitter and lose your ability to enjoy things before the inevitable decline of civilization? Shit, we’ve got from row seats.•
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I don’t know about you but I’m going to spend the next half of my life enjoying the hell out of being alive. Sacrificing your sanity to the 24 hour terror cycle of current events doesn’t help anyone at all. It’s almost a little self serving to let it all turn you into a dickhead.•
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If the world is careening towards nuclear annihilation, and it certainly seems to be, we’d better enjoy these last days. Tip your bartenders, go for a bike ride, sit on the beach. Try to put your phone down a few times and let yourself relax a bit.•
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Regardless of your outlook, whatever’s about to happen is gonna happen anyway.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #portlandartist #pdxart #pdx #portland #tattooer #tattooing #blackandgreytattooartist #signpainter #signpainting #landscapeart
Come hang out with us for the summer solstice show and our pal @inkstress birthday. We have a bunch of rad art for display. It will be a group show featuring some great work by our friends and a fun night to celebrate longer days. Come have a beer with us and enjoy the days we’ve all been waiting for.
@eveningglassdesign
@slaytheimage
@naturalistandco
@cordelorr
@abbywilliams.studio
@cchampagnephotography
Here’s some fun tattoos I’ve gotten to do this spring. I’m booking tattoos for July and August if you’ve got some strange ideas for me. You can DM me directly or email me through my website. I’d love to do some more black and grey portraits, florals, script, lettering, or anything realistic.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #portlandtattooing #tattooartist #pdxtattoo #tattoorealism #letteringartist #typography #darkart #surrealism #witchinghourtattoopdx
Just getting my marketing materials ready for this hot, hot heat wave that’s coming our way this summer. I’m trying to keep this hog tan and tummy tight for beach weather if you feel me.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handlettering #letteringdaily #typography #typespire #goodtype #blackandgreytattoo #tattooartist #signpainter #signpainting #letteringartist #portlandoregon
Had a great time with this @mrbungleofficial album cover artwork on @gayb.oner69 . I’m looking to do more realistic eyes about this size. DM me for some fun eyeball tattoos in late June or early July.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #tattooing #tattoo #pdxtattoo #pdxart #pdxartist #portlandtattooer #blackandgreyrealism #realistictattoo #mrbungle #mikepatton #phantomas #faithnomore
I had fun finishing up this sleeve on my pal @akeishsmitty__ . I’d love to do more mandalas or symmetrical patterns. Always with the dogwoods for any application. DM me for a spot in July.•
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#tattooing #tattooartist #blackandgreytattoo #borrowedtimesstudio #tattoorealism #mandalatattoo #tattoos #dogwoodtattoo #floraltattoo #portlandoregon
Architectural Amsterdam photo dump because I’m still obsessed and I just need to see it again. I love the transitions between the Dutch buildings against the sky.•
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#borrowetimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #tattooing #tattooer #tattoos #signpainting #signpainter #amsterdam #dutch #netherlands #travelamsterdam
See you on June 6th from 5-9 for what seems to be a massive skate deck art show with @adxportland . Im really excited to be showing artwork in group shows again. I hope to do a lot more of it this summer and coming fall.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #lettetingdaily #typography #skateboardart #instaart #letteringart #letterartist #darksurrealism #acrylic #murals #signpainter #signpainting
I’m gonna live in, near, or around here one day. This year’s King’s Day celebration was an absolute blast with my girl @forestavintage •
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#netherlands #Amsterdam #borrowedtimesstudio
Occasionally I’ll get the chance to paint what’s in my head. I try not to overthink it. I just let out some creature I’ve been picturing in the darker recesses of my psyche. They almost always come out as an image vibrating with anxiety.•
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Something bubbling up from the sloppy guts of my brain. A philosophical wet fart. Existential dread from a sleepy part of my brain that once told me to piss in my own closet. The real me, so to speak.•
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#borrowedtimesstudio #handmade #handlettering #letteringdaily #typography #signpainter #signpainting #portlandsignpainter #tattooer #tattooing #lettering #letterart #letteringart #portland #portlandoregon
