I have to admit, I’m starting to wonder if there’s something in the water in Portland. I mean, there’s got to be some sort of reason why so many awesome tattoo artists either set up shop in Portland or are simply home grown examples of seriously rad tattoo skills. London Bellman, James Kern, Jeff Johnson – to name a few – and now I’ve discovered another artist to add to that list: Alice Kendall.
Though she was born in California, Alice first made her way to Portland in 1989 to study graphic design, mixed media and sculpture at Pacific Northwest College of Art. However, it wouldn’t be until 2000 that she stayed in Portland for good, landing an apprenticeship followed by a permanent spot at Infinity Tattoo.
According to Alice, she sees art in everything all around her. That much is certainly obvious when you look at her tattoo work. I think the first thing that struck me about Alice’s work is her use of colour and the control she exercises with that colour. Nothing is wasted, nothing is overused, everything has its place and is doled out with just the right sense of purpose and necessity. Nature seems to be a recurring theme in the tattoos found in her portfolio, which makes sense when you consider that nowhere is there more colour and intensity than in the wings of butterflies or birds, or in the trees and flowers found so abundant within the Pacific Northwest.
Beyond her tattoo work, Alice has worked quite steadily within the community. She worked full time for 3 years in San Francisco with homeless youth, teaching them colour separation. This desire to lend her expertise to more disadvantaged sections of society has stayed with her even now in Portland as she helps her husband with his non-profit programme, providing music and arts education for homeless youth. Did I mention that she’s also a mom and that she still takes art classes at Pacific Northwest College of Art? Yep, she does.
A talented, compassionate artist with a real social conscience. No wonder Alice Kendall sees art all around her: she’s continually creating it for both herself and others. Nice work, Alice.