Born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico, Rafy Oquando discovered the art of tattooing at a young age during the late 1990s; a time when tattooing was still on the fringes of mainstream culture and rarely recognized as a legitimate profession. Around that same time, Rafy also began his journey as a professional body piercer, a field in which he now holds over 25 years of experience.
Rafy’s tattooing career took off at El Indio, Puerto Rico’s first professional tattoo parlor, originally established in the 1950s. There, he had the opportunity to learn and work alongside international artists who inspired his deep appreciation for the beauty, tradition, and limitless potential of tattooing as an art form.
For over a decade now, Rafy has made Florida his home, where he continues to be inspired by the area’s cultural diversity and artistic variety. Always eager to grow, he remains open to learning new styles and tackling creative challenges. Known for his clean line work and smooth shading, Rafy takes pride in crafting original, customized tattoos that reflect each client’s unique story.
He brings a strong influence of tribal, Taíno, and Polynesian folklore into his designs and especially enjoys freehand work to create one of a kind pieces. A passionate nature lover, Rafy spends much of his downtime painting or carving wood.
He lives by the motto: “I love tattoos that look like tattoos.”
