The Art of the Ride - Eddy Johnson

Introducing: Art of the Ride

Oregon is home to a vast community of creators who find their balance both in the studio and on the road. Art of the Ride is a new feature series exploring the intersection of craft and cycling, highlighting local artists who use the bike—whether on paved backroads, city streets, or rugged trails—as a tool for inspiration and clarity. From the precision of a paintbrush to the rhythm of the long ride, we’re sitting down with the makers who define our creative landscape to see how the miles they cover shape the work they produce.

Our First Featured Artist: Eddy Johnson

Our inaugural feature introduces Eddy Johnson, aka The Dentist, aka Fast Eddy, a Portland-based illustrator and tattoo artist who has spent the last decade carving out a truly unique niche in the city’s creative scene. Blending a “modernized retro” aesthetic with a fascinating nod to his family’s dental roots, Eddy brings an obsessive eye for mechanical detail to everything he touches. A longtime off-road motorcyclist, Eddy is currently exploring the “dynamic brain game” of cycling, trading a heavy engine for the versatile freedom of the open road and trail as he prepares for his first multi-day event at this year’s Cycle Oregon GRAVEL in Tygh Valley held May 8-10.

In His Own Words

My name is Eddy. I am a multi-media illustrator & tattoo artist based out of Portland, Oregon, who has been working in the industry for the last decade. Originally from the Midwest, I grew up with a father who was a dentist. Today, my tattoo practice mirrors a similar experience as if you were going to a (very fun) dental clinic. Call it a marketing gimmick, but there’s a lot of similarities in the two industries, and I’m thankful that Portland has embraced my weird niche.

Growing up, I always appreciated how my father operated in his craft. I remember some of the first teeth models and tools that I acquired from his early days in dentistry school. They always fascinated me with their elaborate springs and clasps holding hinges, dentures, and brackets together. In regard to the tools in my own practice, I’m incredibly thankful for my current machine and how it’s helped streamline my process, which has made tattooing even more enjoyable.

I’ve been motorcycle riding for the last decade with a special interest in off-roading. As fun as it can be, it can also be incredibly challenging to have a roaring hot, gasoline guzzling, beast between your legs while you’re traversing gnarly terrain. As I get older, I’ve relished in simplifying my set up for whatever it is I’m enjoying, and that has now extended to cycling.

Gravel biking appealed to me greatly because you still get the fun dynamic brain game that is off-roading – only without the extra weight and hauling hassle. Unlike with my motorcycle, I’m able to be a lot more versatile in where I can go which has been so amazing and freeing.

I’m very thankful I discovered gravel cycling and that I found the right bike for me. Just like my art practice, I care a lot about finding the right tools for what I’d like to create or experience. Riding down a forest path with finely graded gravel is heaven on earth. To me, it’s one of the most zen activities one can do. It’s just you, your bike, and Mother Nature.

I’ve always enjoyed a long bicycle ride because it gives me space to reflect on future projects. It gives me the chance to imagine, think of new ideas, and problem solve.

“To be an artist is to be a professional problem solver,” said one of my professors at The Art Institute of Chicago years ago. It’s a quote that has always stuck with me. Riding a bicycle off-road requires the right amount of physical and mental problem-solving. It engages you completely. I truly love the mind puzzle of traversing rugged terrain while also getting lost in an artistic daydream.

Q & A

What was the specific “aha!” moment that got you to commit to a multi-day event like GRAVEL?

One of my favorite things to do is reward my body with physical exercise – it’s one of the greatest things that I feel like I have the most control over. Doing something good for myself, the idea of a stimulating and long ride, and traversing beautiful terrain among mother nature while I get to exercise sounds like heaven on earth.

As a local artist used to the Portland creative scene, what has been the most surprising thing about the cycling community so far?

How many creatives actually are bicycle riders. That’s been really cool. Also, being an artist, I love customizing everything I own, so it’s cool to see what others have done to their bikes. It reminds me of when I used to paint my skateboards as a kid and then I would show up at the skate park and show off what I recently worked on!

“Fast Eddy” putting one of Cycle Oregon’s bike rodeo oddities to the test at the 2026 Community Bike Block Party.

What is the one piece of “non-cycling” gear or inspiration you’ll be bringing with you to the event?

I’m definitely gonna bring headphones just in case so that I can listen to some music. I usually get really jazzed on listening to some good tunes while doing a long ride. I have a feeling like I’m going to do this ride at my own pace so I may not be socializing as much for long periods. On the other hand, I do want to be present and take in the beautiful surroundings… so there’s a chance I won’t end up listening to as much music but it’s something I’m considering bringing for sure.

What are you most looking forward to—and most nervous about—for the May event?

Definitely looking forward to the accomplishment of crushing the miles as well as the course with just my bike and me. A personal goal for sure but I’m also really looking forward to socializing and getting to meet people in the community, as I’m fairly new to the scene. It’s been exciting to get slowly integrated and meeting other riders. I’m also excited to crush beers with everyone after a long day’s work! It’s funny, just as much as I love rewarding my body with exercise, sometimes I also love punishing it with drinks haha. All in good moderation!