This time, we had the pleasure of doing a subcultalk with Macarena – tattoo artist, painter, founder of ESTUDIO 12 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and host of the Online Tattoo Workshops "Micro-realistic Dot Work" in Spanish. From painting and tattooing to healing, purpose, and personal growth, Macarena shares how creativity has shaped every part of her life.
In this inspiring interview, she talks about finding meaning through art, building a creative community, overcoming challenges, and why tattooing is always a collaboration between two people. She also dives into the books, music, places, and everyday moments that continue to inspire her artistic journey.
What kind of art do you create?
I enjoy creating across many different disciplines. Painting has always been my grounding force, while tattooing came later but eventually took center stage. I'm drawn to fire, the hidden, and esoteric symbolism, and my paintings seek to express those themes. Tattooing goes beyond my own artistic expression - it's a collaborative process where two minds come together in a 50/50 creative act that becomes part of someone's life story.
How did you discover your path in art?
I've been drawing since I was very young. I loved designing clothes for my dolls. In elementary school, my art teacher often asked for my help creating stage sets for school performances. That inspired me to enroll in an art school.
What motivates you to keep creating?
Art is my path in life. I know how to do many things, but art runs through everything I do. I'm artistic even when I'm watering plants. I love seeing the impact art has on people, and I love experiencing the world through an artist's eyes.
Looking back, what has been your proudest moment as an artist?
I would say exhibiting my work. I've had the opportunity to showcase several pieces, and my latest works carry great emotional depth. They emerged from a healing process -they're powerful, deeply personal, and they make me feel both vulnerable and empowered when I share them.
When do you feel most creative or productive?
When it comes to tattooing. My creativity flows when I'm working from someone else's idea. It's like a waterfall that's been waiting for a riverbed to run through.
Who or what inspires you the most?
Music and visiting museums are two of my biggest sources of inspiration. I also have different music preferences depending on what I'm creating - I like writing in silence or with certain sounds, painting while listening to reggae, and working out with house music. Frequency plays an important role in creating different emotional states. I think everyone should explore which musical frequencies work best for different activities.
What small things in life bring you the greatest joy?
I've worked since I was very young. We didn't have much growing up, but we were always active. I worked hard so I could enjoy my time with the people around me. Going to Parque Avellaneda with my dog Clemente is one of the things I enjoy most. Being able to slow down, appreciate life, and feel grateful.
Is there a vision or goal you're currently working toward?
I founded ESTUDIO 12 in 2022 and expanded it in 2025. We moved again in 2026, and many things changed. Today I provide studio space for many local and international tattoo artists, which has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I'm currently studying Leadership and Management so I can continue developing the studio successfully. At the same time, my seminars have reached many people, and I'm currently promoting a two-day workshop in Patagonia that combines art and tattooing.
How would you define a fulfilling life?
My current life is becoming increasingly close to what I consider a fulfilling life. I've been through a lot, and after several stays in the hospital, I can honestly say I'm grateful to have my health. I get to practice the sports I love, spend time with friends, enjoy healthy relationships that support and inspire me, rely on my family, have food on my table, a roof over my head, and the motivation to keep moving forward.
What do you do when you feel stuck or uninspired?
I try to focus on other things and avoid putting too much pressure on myself.
Usually, if my creativity isn't flowing, it's because something else needs my attention. Right now, though, I'm deeply affected by my country's economic crisis. Being an artist in a place where access to art is a privilege for only a few makes it difficult to maintain a stable rhythm that allows me to continue living my simple but beautiful life. During those times, I find refuge in my loved ones and in fellow artists who believe in mutual support.
What emotion do you love the most?
That's a difficult question - no one would choose sadness. There's a feeling that expands in my chest whenever I achieve a goal, a brief sense of fulfillment. Maybe that's happiness. I'm also learning to appreciate tranquility. I'm trying to teach my nervous system that it's okay to feel calm.
Which emotion do you find the hardest to deal with?
Definitely rejection. It's something I've been working on for a long time. I feel it deeply in my body. I can understand it rationally, but it takes me time to let it go or transform it.
What's your favorite movie?
Cars. I love its underlying message - the story of a famous race car who experiences a reality check and learns to appreciate the things that truly matter. And the soundtrack always makes me want to hit the road.
What book would you recommend to everyone?
Without a doubt, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It's a short book that proves it doesn't need to be longer. It's about purpose, perseverance, sacrifice, and the search for meaning.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cara Luna. The lyrics aren't anything extraordinary, but the song always fills me with joy.
What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
Chocotorta, a classic Argentine dessert made with chocolate cookies soaked in coffee and layered with a mixture of cream cheese and dulce de leche. We should make a tutorial so everyone can discover it!
Is there any food or drink you couldn't live without?
Mate and pickled eggplants.
Where is your happy place?
Right now, I'd say Bariloche. My friends, the landscape, and nature make it incredibly special. The only thing missing is bringing my dog Clemente with me.
Name an artist or person who inspires you.
Ciruelo Cabral immediately comes to mind. He's an incredibly talented and empathetic artist.
In the tattoo world, two women especially inspire me:
Victoria Lee, a Korean tattoo artist whose work is captivating thanks to her extraordinary attention to detail and technical mastery, and Deanna James, a painter whose artistic vision carries seamlessly into her tattoo work - each piece looks like it belongs in a museum.
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Thank you Maca, for taking the time to share your story, your creative journey, and the inspirations behind your art with us.
If you’d like to meet Maca, learn from her, and dive deeper into her tattoo techniques, you can join her Online Tattoo Workshop "Micro-realistic Dot Work" in Spanish and create alongside her from anywhere in the world.
Until next time,
Katja and the subcultours Team