At first glance at this tattoo artist’s portfolio, one thing becomes immediately clear: her work brings the natural world to life. In Camila Conti’s tattoos, flora and fauna exist in harmony, but it is often the animal that becomes the emotional center of the story. Horses, birds, foxes, seals — each creature appears surrounded by botanical elements that enhance its character and symbolism. Flowers, animals, soft light, and smooth transitions of color shape a sensory, emotionally rich style that resonates with many of our readers.
Camila is the co-founder of the private studio The Little Rabbit Ink in Dublin, a participant in major European conventions, and the owner of an impressive list of awards. Recently, she won three titles at the Belfast Tattoo Convention: Best of Show, Best in Realism, and Best in Color.
Camila was born in Brazil but moved to Ireland nearly ten years ago. Art has always been present in her life — she recalls constantly drawing and experimenting with techniques and colors as a child. But, as often happens, tattooing found her unexpectedly:
“A tattoo artist saw one of my illustrations and asked if I had ever considered tattooing. That simple question changed everything — it opened the door to a path where art, emotion, and human connection exist together.”
Before becoming a tattoo artist, she explored several fields — energy engineering, fashion design, and makeup artistry. According to Camila, her experience with makeup helped her develop an eye for color and light, qualities that later became a defining part of her artistic style.
“I wanted my art to live beyond the canvas and become part of someone’s story. When I realized that tattooing made this possible, I knew I had found my path.”
Camila describes her style as emotional realism — gentle, soft, detailed depictions of nature, filled with meaning and a touch of fantasy.
“I strive for soft, natural, harmonious transitions that enhance texture and volume.”
Nature has always been a safe space for her — “beautiful, imperfect, and full of mysticism.” She admits she has always been fascinated by how animals express emotion without words, and how plants carry symbolism that people easily connect with. Botanical and wildlife realism became a natural extension of this bond.
In Camila’s portfolio, you’ll find delicate wildflowers as well as dramatic roses and peonies. The world of animals is equally endless for her: horses, seals, chameleons, hedgehogs, parrots, insects, foxes, wolves, cats, birds, spiders — and even more unusual species when clients bring unique stories.
“The most important thing is the story. I’m inspired when a client chooses elements connected to their personal experience — a plant from childhood or an animal as a symbol of protection.”
A special part of her work is pet portraits. Many come to her to preserve the memory of a beloved companion.
“These pieces are incredibly touching because you’re literally tattooing love and memory.”
Among her most meaningful projects are not only technically complex compositions but also emotional ones — such as cover-ups that allow someone to replace a painful memory with a beautiful new story.
“Helping someone let go of something and replace it with something beautiful is a very emotional experience.”
She also highlights her win at the Dublin Tattoo Convention with a fully healed floral piece — a strong confirmation of the long-term quality of her realism.
Camila’s tattoos often require long sessions: from a full day to 5–12 sessions for larger projects. Designing a piece can take up to 40 hours.
At the core of her approach is careful, almost meditative listening. Camila always begins with the meaning a client wants to express: “The first and most important step is to hear what the client wants to express and understand the meaning of each element.”
She emphasizes that technique matters, but without a story realism loses its depth. Each element must not only look flawless, but also carry meaning.
“The heart of my work is emotion and flow. Composition dictates movement, emotion guides color, shape, and detail.”
Convention work has become an essential part of her artistic growth. Teamwork, pressure, limited time — all of this reveals new sides of an artist.
Her victory at the Belfast Tattoo Convention was especially significant — the event where she earned Best of Show, Best in Realism, and Best in Color with a single piece.
“Winning in three categories with one piece was incredible. It’s the result of many years of dedication, effort, and love for what I do.”
Interestingly, the competitive environment feels natural to her — Camila was a professional athlete in her youth: “It motivates me in a very positive way. Winning felt like a beautiful reminder of how far I’ve come.”
Four years ago, Camila and her partner opened their private studio, The Little Rabbit Ink. It was conceived as a quiet, cozy space where clients receive individual attention and the atmosphere feels like a small urban garden.
“We wanted a place where we could create freely, collaborate with others, and give clients an experience rooted in comfort.”
Today it has grown into a larger space with several resident artists and regular international guests. The studio has become a creative home and a point of attraction for realism lovers in Ireland.
Camila now has a months-long waiting list for large projects. She is actively planning travel across Europe and beyond, inviting artists to Dublin, and sees her future in continued expansion: “I want to explore larger compositions, more color, the combination of realism with fantasy and symbolism. And I want to teach others the way others taught me.”
For her, the next chapter is growth in every direction — creative, professional, and geographic.
Comments (0)