A Second Skin Between Life, Death, and Organic Flow
An Artistic Path
For as long as Raquel can remember, art has always been part of her life. She studied Fine Art in Madrid, where she found herself immersed in a world full of possibilities, fascinated by everything around her. At that time, sculpture was what caught her attention the most, but she eventually decided to specialise in drawing and later in illustration. Before entering the world of tattooing, she had already built a strong artistic background. She published several books, was shortlisted in various competitions, and today she also teaches classes in graphic experimentation. Years later, she decided to venture into tattooing, a medium that had always appealed to her from an aesthetic point of view.
The Idea of a Second Skin
What first drew her to tattooing was the idea that every person could choose their own “second skin”, almost like a personalised cover. That attraction became even stronger as the creative possibilities within tattooing began to expand and styles multiplied, moving further away from more traditional forms.
Traces, Shells, and Urbex
Another strong theme in her work is death, and the way it leaves its mark on the journey through life, until in a way, only the shell remains. This interest also connects with one of her great passions: urban exploration, or urbex. In abandoned places, she finds traces of what once was inhabited, the history left behind, and the way that something of that story can still be read within the shell. Her inspiration often comes from outside the world of tattooing. This approach has followed her since her Fine Art studies, allowing her to bring ideas from illustration, experimentation, nature, architecture, decay, and memory into her tattoo work.
Working With the Body
When creating a piece for a client, she approaches the body with both anatomical awareness and instinct. She thinks about how the tattoo should fit, how it should move, and what path it should take across the body. In her words, she approaches each tattoo as if it were for herself, imagining how she would want it to sit if she were that person.
The Power of Untouched Skin
Untouched skin is also a crucial part of her compositions. For Raquel, tattooed skin is just as important as untattooed skin. The focus is not only on what is there, but also on what is not there. This relationship forms the whole composition. Her work is not about filling gaps, but about playing with space, and in tattooing, that space is the body.
Technique, Contrast, and Precision
Technically, her work is known for smooth gradients, precision, contrast, and clean details. She began by working in micro-realism on many occasions, and she believes this helped her develop a highly refined technique. She enjoys working with dark tones to achieve the strongest possible contrast against the skin, making the tattoo more striking and visible even from a distance. Her high standards are a constant driving force. She puts great effort into making every piece look neat and polished, always trying to surpass herself. For her, refusing to settle for the status quo is what pushes her forward, even in pursuit of something she feels she may never fully reach.
Respecting the Past, Exploring the Present
When speaking about how her work differs from more traditional tattoo styles, she answers with respect for the older styles. She would love to know what the greats think of her work, so she could learn from them and take their point of view into account. She believes that every era has its own way of thinking, but a tattoo still needs to be considered carefully so it can stand the test of time. Today, she sees more focus on overarching concepts, technique, and artistic expression, while in the past there was often a deeper meaning behind each piece, although she believes that meaning has never truly disappeared.
A Bonus Track in Life
Looking ahead, Raquel wants to keep experimenting, both within and outside the world of tattooing. She does not want to get stuck in one place. This year, for example, she tried glass jewellery and absolutely loved it. She also began playing around with music. She says she would love to have a “bonus track” in life, just to have more time to try even more things, because she believes life is hidden within play. As for tattooing, she may soon take part in a convention. Although she travels a lot, she has never tried participating in one, so that might be her next stop. And of course, she wants to continue travelling, discovering new places, meeting new people, and perhaps one day even living outside Spain for a while.
Article by Lenka Banyarova , published July 9th 2026
