Velma — Arboretum Studios

VELMA is a licensed & Insured Tattoo Artist in Washington serving the Vancouver & Portland OR Area since 2011.

I was born in Vancouver, Washington and have deep roots in the community, with family all over the PNW. In 2011, I moved to Portland to learn tattooing. I came back to this side of the river in 2018 and opened Arboretum Studios in 2019. I primarily focus on nature-themed tattoos, but also love abstract ornamental designs and absolutely anything based in fantasy or psychedelia.

Pretty little succulent tattoo for Kaytlin 💖🌸🌿 I love it when people give me a color palette and let me loose! . . . . . . . . . . #pdxtattoo #Portlandtattoo #floraltattoo #botanicaltattoo #colortattoo

Another magical fall harvest babe, a fairy this time 🧚‍♀️✨I’ve really been vibing on taking my own reference photos; this series is based on some pics I took of my Halloween costume last year 🎃🌾 . . . . . . . . .#pdxtattoo #vancouverwashington #tattooflash #tattooart #fairy #fairycore #cottagecore

Harvest witch a v a i I a b l e , I have time today (11/7) if you get here quick! 🌾🎃✨ I’ve got some more magical fall babes in the works, so stay tuned if you like this vibe! . . . . . . . . #pdxtattoo #tattooart #vancouverwashington #witchaesthetic #magick

Pretty little coverup tattoo 🌻 swipe to the last slide to see what was there before! I love doing coverups, and am lucky enough to have quite a few in the works right now. Been chipping away at a lot of big stuff so I haven't had a ton ready to post, but it's all exciting stuff I can't wait to share with y'all! . . . . . . . . #coverup #coveruptattoo #flowertattoo #sunflowertattoo #pdxtattoo #Portlandtattoo

Sweet little ode to the PNW for Bryna's first tattoo with Columbine flowers and our native lilies 🌿🌸 . . . . . . . . #pdxtattoo #pdx #vancouverwashington #tattooart #floraltattoo

Some fun little fantasy colored mushrooms to brighten up your fall 🍄💚💜🩷🧡 I’m taking walk-ins tomorrow Wednesday 10/23 at @arboretumstudios 11 till 5ish, come on by! These are also available by appointment, text me at (360)207-0435 to book.

Thank you so much @swaggedoutmax for grabbing this predrawn design and also for the super cool jewelry trade ✨️🌿 I love doing abstract, less-traditional knotwork designs! I also love bartering with other artists, so shoot your shot, the worst I'll say is no haha. #geometrictattoo #knotworktattoo #chesttattoo #pdx #pdxtattoo #colortattoo

@trtattcon let's gooooooo! We're taking walk-ups and have SO much cool art for ya. Come say hi ✨️💖

Working on this lil thing again! Can't wait to tattoo her in a couple of weeks 💖✨️ #wip #workinprogress #watercolor

My grandma was the best woman I ever knew. She was such a steady, kind, and gentle presence in the lives of everyone around her. She was so accepting, loving people right where they were at without trying to change them. When I was having a hard time with my parents, as teenagers do, her couch and her sewing room were a refuge for me. No matter how ridiculous my gripes were, she'd just listen and let me cry it out. She had such a curious and inquisitive spirit. She asked the best questions about anything her loved ones were interested in. Her mind was sharp until the very end. She was adventurous and brave as well. When I was a little girl, I loved her stories of moving to LA as a young woman, and her stories about the places she and Grandpa had traveled. She was still falling out of trees and getting up to other shenanigans well into her 80s. She was fierce in her love for ALL people. The only times I ever saw her get angry or upset was when faced with the realities of racism or any other kind of prejudice. I knew ALL my friends were safe with her, no matter what they looked like, where they were from, or who they loved. She was creative, industrious, and so resourceful, and she instilled that into all her kids and grandkids. She loved music, too, and passed that on to all of us. Her fierc and gentle love will be her legacy; she has touched so many lives, I genuinely believe her love will never be gone from this world. I'll miss you, Grandma, but I'm so glad you aren't in pain anymore.

Thanks SO much to everyone who came out to our Friday the 13th event 🔥✨️ Next one is in December, see y'all again then! #pdxtattoo #fridaythe13thtattoo

What's your favorite fruit? 🥭🥝🍏🍍🍉🍎🍇🥑🍌🍐🍅🍊🍓🍋 Fun little impromptu grapefruit slice for Chanel. This was especially fun because grapefruit is my favorite fruit!Thanks for filling my cancelation! I have two more open time slots this week, tomorrow (9/11) early afternoon half-day slot and Thurs (9/12) for a small tattoo at 2pm. Text me at (360) 207 -0435 to book! #tattooart #fruittattoo #cutetattoo #pdx #pdxtattoo

Some healed tattoos! It makes me SO happy when y'all let me photograph our healed projects 💖✨️ #pdxtattoo #tattooart #healedtattoo #ladytattooers #vancouverwashington #downtownvancouverwa

Butterfly babes! I have openings next week, including Monday night. Text me at (360)207-0435 to set something up 💖🦋 #butterflytattoo #girlytattoos #pdx #pdxtattoo #pnwtattoo #vancouverwa #tattoo #tattooflash #tattooart #smallbusines

Repeatable spideys 🕷️🕸️ I’ll freehand a lil web for ya too! Text me at (360)207-0435 to book 💖 #pdxtattoo #pdx #tattooflash #tattooart #fineline

Butterfly babe flash 🦋✨🌿If you like this idea but none of these ladies tickle your fancy, I’d be happy to draw something custom for you! These will take about 3 hours each (2 for b&g) so this is a pretty steep di$count, but I REALLY want to tattoo them 💖 text me to set it up! (360)207-0435 #pdxtattoo #artprocess #tattoo #butterfly #pnwlife

Fully healed white over black on my bestie @beccacirca 🖤🖤 the foreground is almost a year healed and the background is a couple months healed. I'd love to do more white over black and am currently offering a per-session flat rate di$count on pieces using this technique.

More di$counted repeatables available @arboretumstudios 🪲💖🌿 I have at least one opening EVERY day this week (9/2-9/7) so text me at (360)207-0435 to book.

Another lil cutie from my repeatable flash for Bree 💖🌿🌸 he just wants to give you flowers, would you accept? Dropping another sheet later today, stay tuned!