Based in Zaragoza, Spain, Celia has built her artistic identity around black and grey, greywash, realism and surrealism. Her work combines solid blacks, strong contrasts and a particular interest in portraits, faces and Chicano-inspired subjects, often exploring the emotional and symbolic possibilities of the image.
Her artistic background began with drawing and charcoal, while cinema, photography and visual storytelling continue to influence the way she approaches composition, atmosphere and contrast. In this interview, she talks about her beginnings, her approach to black and grey, the importance of anatomy and composition, and the personal passions that continue to shape her artistic journey.
Hi Celia, would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? Where are you from and where are you currently living?
Hi Tattoo Life I’m Celia, I am a Spanish tattoo artist currently based in Zaragoza, Spain. I specialise mainly in black and grey, greywash, realism and surrealism. I also enjoy exploring different variations within this aesthetic, such as Chicano-inspired work, portraits and personal interpretations of clients’ ideas. I love putting myself out of my comfort zone, so I regularly update my schedule with conventions and guest spots across Europe and beyond. Travelling and working in different environments has become a very important part of my artistic development and perspective, allowing me to grow, meet talented artists and find new sources of inspiration.
You are a professional tattoo artist — where do you currently work?
I currently live in Zaragoza, Spain, where I work at Wolf Tattoo Collective. However, my work is not limited to one place. I am also a regular guest artist at Grulla in Burgos, as well as at Nobs Tattoo Club in Turin, and I often visit other studios that welcome me. I travel frequently as a guest artist and to attend tattoo conventions, both in Europe and around the world.
You mainly focus on black and grey, both in your personal aesthetic and in your tattoo work. What drew you to this style in particular?
Black and grey has always felt very natural to me. I am fully attracted to its depth, its contrast and the emotional atmosphere it can create. There is something very powerful about building an image with light and shadow, using just black to create a wide greyscale.
In my personal opinion, creating something with such a strong impact — especially on skin — through a monochromatic approach is extremely challenging, and that’s why I have so much admiration and respect for this technique. Since the beginning of my artistic education, I’ve always worked with pencil and charcoal.
I have always been fascinated by black and grey, as well as by the monochromatic use of a single colour.
I still feel there is so much to learn within this style, so I don’t see myself moving into other styles in the near future. For me, black and grey is a language with an immense range of possibilities.
How did you first get into tattooing? Was it driven by a personal passion, were you already involved in the art world, or perhaps influenced by a love for cinema?
I have always known that I wanted to devote my life to something related to art from a very young age. Drawing and creating were the most natural ways for me to express myself. While I was studying art, at the age of 17, I started tattooing at my father’s house with a beginner tattoo kit that I bought with my savings from working as a waitress at weekends. I began tattooing friends who trusted me enough to let me practise on them, and a few months later, a local tattoo studio offered me the opportunity to start as an apprentice.
That experience changed everything. I gradually began to understand the responsibility, discipline and technical complexity behind tattooing. Throughout this journey, I have felt, and still feel, very grateful to all the colleagues and friends who have helped me along the way: the old-school artists who taught me the value of respect and paved the way for us, and also the new generation of artists, of which I am part, whose enthusiasm and passion are incredibly contagious. Cinema, photography and visual storytelling have also influenced me a lot, especially in the way I understand composition, contrast and atmosphere. I like tattoos that feel like a movie scene, a memory, or that can evoke certain emotional tensions.
What would you say are the defining characteristics of your work today? What subjects do you most enjoy tattooing?
I would say that my current work is highly defined by the use of solid blacks, strong contrast and a deep interest in portraits. I enjoy creating pieces with visual impact, often working on a large scale, balancing details while maintaining a sense of simplicity and harmony.
The subjects I enjoy most are portraits, faces, Chicano-inspired subjects, surreal compositions and concepts that allow me to combine realism with emotional or symbolic elements.
I also love when clients share personal ideas with me and give me the freedom to interpret them through my own aesthetic.
Right now, I feel that I am still developing the style I want to fully achieve. I’ve always seen my current work as part of an ongoing journey. My goal is not to stay in my comfort zone, but to continue refining my technique and my identity until everything feels complete and personal to my artistic vision. And I love that this is something that, in my mind, I would probably never achieve.
From a technical point of view, what do you pay the most attention to when creating a tattoo?
From a technical standpoint, I pay close attention to composition, anatomy, contrast and how the tattoo will age over time. For me, a tattoo has to look good not only in a freshly taken photo, but mostly with the body’s movements and years later. In black and grey work, I place great importance on building a solid black structure, just as much as I value the areas of untouched skin where the design can breathe. From my experience, I feel these two aspects are essential in the long run.
The more I learn to simplify transitions without losing strength, the more satisfied I feel with the results. I also take great care in adapting each design to each client’s anatomy. Understanding the shapes of the body and continuing to study them is a daily challenge and something I truly enjoy.
What are your personal passions outside of tattooing, and what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Is there anything else about you that you’d like our readers to discover?
Outside of tattooing, I consider myself a very curious and multifaceted person. I have always been drawn to experiences that take me outside and help me grow. The mountains have been an important part of my life since I was a child. I was lucky to grow up very close to the Pyrenees, where I mostly spent my summers and holidays, and that connection with nature and its sense of freedom is still very present in me today. I’ve been passionate about motorcycles for years. I ride my dream motorbike, which I was able to afford myself, and it means a lot to me.
I also enjoy training and physical exercise in general — anything that helps me keep both my body and mind healthy. Creativity is something I need in every part of my life. Cinema has always been one of my biggest passions, and I know it will stay with me forever. At the same time, travelling has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life, not only because of tattooing, but because it has helped me understand myself better, break personal barriers and see the world from different perspectives. Travelling gives me distance, clarity and a deeper appreciation for everything I experience and own, because it helps me give each thing the value it truly deserves.
