My name is Raquel Cude and I am a tattoo artist and illustrator working in a wide variety of mediums for over 15 years. I draw much of my inspiration from mythology, old children’s stories, and the natural world. I love creating art with botanical, animal, and fantastical elements drawn together.

In addition to tattooing, I create collaborative illustrations for books, most often with my longtime friend and co-founder of Smudge Books- Nereida Dobson; and have illustrated for a variety of published works including a special edition of Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.”

I got my start as an apprentice in tattooing at Graphic Images in West Haven (no longer in opperation) and spent a year abroad working in Dublin, Ireland at Dublin Ink. I met many people in those early years that have left lasting and positive impacts on my sensibilities and goals as an artist.

For the last 12.5 years, I had the honor of working at FTS Gallery, owned by George Perham, with a group of excellent artists and many guest artists. It is where I cultivated many of my skills as tattoo artist and solidified my artistic voice as a creative professional. I would not be who I am today without the time I spent there.

I have most recently opened my own private studio The Honey-Eyed Hare in Naugatuck, CT where I currently work.