Meet Mark Lawrence | Working Class Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Lawrence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ultimately my decision to start Tendril Inks in 2015 was greatly inspired by my wife and was in part an outlet to cope with the loss of our two foster daughters. I had previously been involved in another creative endeavor, having been writing about music since early 2001 and culminating in my own music blog By the Light of the Stereo which covered a wide variety of local, national and international acts. In 2014 we had taken on the responsibility of caring for two foster children; sisters ages 5 and 1. Through this experience we were given a clear picture at how broken the foster care system was and the girls were ultimatly returned to an unhealthy living situation. To deal with the grief of their loss and the frustration of the situation I returned to creating art in a style that I had dabbled in since high school as a form of self-therapy. It was through prompting from my wife that I eventually moved from making gifts for family members to selling prints at our seasonal First Friday art event in Milwaukie Oregon. Over the next few years I was able to grow my business through a mixture of commission art, brand expansion into prints, apparel and stickers and great opportunities including the inclusion in two licensed art books for the Ghostbuster and Halloween Movie franchises.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
With my unique tendril style I bring my fan art to life by hand with pen and paper built on the simple concept that everyone is a fan of something. Translating my images into other mediums from prints, stickers and appeal I have made sure to use other small Oregon Based companies including Ink Spot Printing in Salem , Portland’s Saturn Stickers and Shirt Nerdery right here in my homebase of Milwaukie. Since its inception Tendril Inks has always made it a priority to make a difference in the community. To accomplish this, 10% of all proceeds are donated to the non-profit organization Dinner and A Movie PDX that works with homeless and impoverished families and individuals in the Portland metro area. 2022 also saw the second annual Ink With Purpose Fundraiser. A commission based art fundraiser, Ink With Purpose raises proceeds to be used for D & M’s Christmas outreach event that this year was able to provide 300 hot meals to individuals in homeless camps throughout the city and make Christmas happen for 20 impoverished families.
I have been awarded a great opportunity to find success in selling my art so it’s only right that I share the fruits of that success to help others not only on a financial level but also through the support of my fellow artist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The last few years have taken a hard toll on Portland and its surrounding communities But there’s lots great things about our town that you. Everyone will tell you to check out Powell’s City of Books,

Powell’s City of Books
1005 W Burnside St,
Portland, OR 97209
https://www.powells.com/locations/powells-city-of-books

Three stories of books both new and old. Now matter your interests you’re sure to find a book on it. Be careful, you might want to bring some bread crumbs just so that you can find your way out.

Music Millennium
3158 E Burnside St,
Portland, OR 97214
https://musicmillennium.com

One of the Best Record stores in the Pacific Northwest. If you love music you can lose yourself flipping through the endless bins of CD and Vinyl Records.

Made In Milwaukie
2026 SE Monroe St,
Milwaukie, OR 97222 ·
https://www.madeinmilwaukie.com/

Made In Milwaukie is a local artist gallery and storefront that provides exposure to local artists and a place to sell their art. Ran by local artist and small businessmen Chris Habermand and Rob Campble, MIM is a wonderfully unique facet to the local community of old town Milwaukie.

Coaster Brew Pub / Coasters Crossing
8650 SE McLoughlin Blvd./ 1757 Washington Street,
Milwaukie, OR 97267/ Oregon City, OR 97045

Two great restaurants with amazing food and that’s easy on the wallet.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Valco Ornate Frames Val Schaefer
https://www.valcoornateframes.com
val@valcoornateframes.com
The artistry that Val Schaefer employs in the creation of his ornate frames elevates whatever piece he’s working on to new levels. Not merely a way to protect or display a piece of art these intricately detailed and ornate frames are art themselves, just as worthy of museum wall space and the inclusion in private collections.

Emily Farthing Art
Emily Farthing
emilyfarthingart.com
emilyfarthingart@gmail.com
An amazing fashion and small brand photographer Emily strives to capture not only the image of her subjects but their essence as well, With a unique perspective gained from her own time in front of the camera and a rich vest for life her photography would be an amazing addition to any brands public or market campaigns.

Unnatural 20 Art
Kara Payne & Danielle Hurley
https://unnatural20art.com
The uniquely nich 3D art the Unnatural 20 art is the culmination of traditional styles of sculpture and painting with the modernization of 3D resin printing. Though most popular with the gaming crowd, the playfulness of their sculptures will inspire smiles on the face of almost anyone that they eyes on them

Website: www.tendrilinks.com

Instagram: @tendril_inks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tendril.Inks/

Image Credits
T-shirt photo taken by Emily Farthing.