Rachel, also known as Little Rach (@littlerachtattoo), is making waves in the tattoo world with her undeniably Cute Tattoos. Working at Luck and Love Tattoo (@luckandlovetattoo) in Darlington, UK, she’s become renowned for her bright, bold, and utterly adorable designs. Let’s dive into a conversation with Rachel to explore her unique style, inspirations, and her journey as a tattoo artist specializing in cute tattoos.
A vibrant and colorful cute ghost tattoo with sparkling eyes and a friendly smile.
From Tattoo Fan to Cute Tattoo Artist
Rachel’s journey into tattooing began with a long-standing appreciation for alternative styles. “I was always attracted to the alternative from a young age,” she explains, recalling her fascination with people sporting “bright hair, piercings and tattoos.” This interest deepened as she discovered heavier music as a teen. “A lot of the bands I listened to had tattoos and I just thought it was so cool!”
As Rachel got older and began getting tattooed herself, her appreciation evolved into a passion. She describes falling in love with “everything about it,” from the visual appeal to the personal empowerment it represented. Sharing this enthusiasm with her partner, they would spend time redrawing favorite tattoo designs from magazines. This hobby solidified her ambition: “I knew it was something I really wanted to get into.” For Rachel, tattoos were more than just decoration. “I loved how tattoos looked but also the feeling it gave me to take ownership of my body and my choices in life,” she shares, highlighting the rebellious and self-expressive nature she found in tattoo culture.
A small and charming cute dog tattoo with simple lines and a sweet expression.
Inspiration Behind the Cutest Tattoos
Rachel’s cute tattoo aesthetic is deeply rooted in her personal passions and collections. “I really like to collect vintage kitsch ornaments and kawaii toys, so I’m often inspired by things I surround myself with,” she reveals. Her love for Sanrio characters and the charm of “cute animals or inanimate objects with big sparkly eyes” heavily influences her design choices. Beyond specific objects, Rachel also finds inspiration in the everyday. “Sometimes I’m just inspired by a colour I see and I want to use it in a design,” she mentions, emphasizing the spontaneous and visually-driven nature of her creative process for cute tattoos.
A traditional dagger tattoo re-imagined with cute and colorful elements, featuring bright gems and playful details.
Defining the “Little Rach” Cute Tattoo Style
When asked to describe her style, Rachel admits it’s a challenge. “I always struggle to answer this question because I find it difficult to say where I fit in, in terms of style.” However, she pinpoints the core elements: “I guess cute and colourful with bold lines and a bit of sparkle.” This signature style is a product of her apprenticeship, where she learned from artists with diverse specialties.
Her training under Kenny Ackerman, a realism expert, instilled in her “colour blending techniques and the impact of a nice white highlight to make a tattoo pop.” From Ben Roberts, she absorbed “the importance of clean solid line work and bold colour.” Rachel explains that her cute tattoo style is a “combined elements of the two techniques,” resulting in the vibrant and defined look that makes her work instantly recognizable.
A cute spaceship tattoo with pastel colors, stars, and a whimsical, cartoon-like design.
Style Evolution in Cute Tattoo Art
Rachel’s cute tattoo style is not static; it’s constantly evolving. “My style has definitely developed over time,” she confirms. Currently, she’s drawn to a more streamlined approach: “At the moment I’m really enjoying stripping my tattoos back – focusing on a solid line and saturated colour to make the design stand out on the skin.”
This evolution also extends to her color palettes. “I am enjoying using a different colour palette – I have been using nice bright warm colours but contrasting them with more muted tones to give them a bit of a vintage feel.” This nuanced use of color adds depth and a unique character to her cute tattoos.
A charming cute panda tattoo with bright pink cheeks and a playful, friendly expression.
Favorite Subjects for Cute Tattoos
Rachel’s enthusiasm shines when discussing her favorite subjects to tattoo. “I love tattooing things with faces that wouldn’t normally have a face – stick a cute pair of eyes and a smile on a banana and I’m happy!” This playful approach encapsulates the essence of her cute tattoo style. Her passion extends to broader themes as well: “Anything cute and colourful I love to do.”
Beyond general cuteness, Rachel has a specific passion within the cute tattoo realm. “I am also a HUGE fan of drag, so anything drag related I am always keen to do and would love to do more! It’s so much fun.” This niche interest adds another layer to her artistic identity, showcasing the versatility within her cute tattoo focus.
A cute sunflower tattoo with a smiling face in the center, radiating joy and happiness.
Creativity and Cute Tattoos During Challenging Times
The pandemic presented unique challenges for creative professionals, and Rachel was no exception. “The pandemic has been really tough. As someone who lives with anxiety and depression, it has been difficult for me to keep motivated and inspired at times.” She openly shares the struggle with creative blocks and self-doubt that many artists faced during lockdowns.
However, these challenges also spurred new avenues for her creativity. “That being said, the lockdowns have given me the opportunity to explore my work in different ways, and come up with ideas that aren’t solely focused on tattooing or being a tattoo-able design.” This shift in perspective allowed her to detach from the practicalities of tattooing and embrace artistic freedom. “I guess being unable to tattoo takes the pressure off my art having to then be translated to a tattoo design – it can be anything it wants to be.” This period of reflection led to incorporating positive messages into her art. “I’ve taken to drawing positive/inspiring messages within my art that represent things that have helped my mental health experience, trying to focus on gratitude and putting kindness into the world.”
A cute banana tattoo with a smiling face, rosy cheeks, and bright colors, embodying playful and whimsical designs.
The Profound Meaning of Tattooing
For Rachel, tattooing is more than just a job; it’s a deeply meaningful part of her life. “Tattooing means the world to me,” she expresses. “I feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity to tattoo and I’m so fortunate for the life it has given me.” She emphasizes the support she’s received, stating, “I have been so lucky to have such supportive people in my life who have encouraged me from the get go.”
The connections she’s made through tattooing are also invaluable. “I have met so many wonderful people, artists and clients, and it still blows my mind that people want to wear my artwork on their skin forever, I will never take that trust for granted.” The inability to tattoo during lockdowns was therefore particularly difficult. “Not being able to tattoo at the moment has been hard… We love tattooing and everything about it, we owe everything we have and everything we do to tattooing.” She and her partner, Ben Roberts, also a tattoo artist, felt the impact both professionally and personally, missing “being able to travel and see our pals across the UK, guesting in studios and doing conventions.”
Despite the challenges, Rachel expresses gratitude for the continued support from her community. “We are fortunate that we have people who are really supportive of our work and have bought prints and other bits and bobs from us, it really does make a difference and I encourage everyone to support small businesses and the arts during this tough time.” She looks forward to resuming her work and the simple joys of studio life: “I look forward to the day when there are no more lockdowns and I’m allowed to my give my clients a brew and a biscuit again when they come in the studio.”
A cute and inspiring "Be Kind" tattoo in a whimsical style with pastel colors and gentle shading.
Want to see more of Rachel’s adorable designs? Follow Little Rach on Instagram for a daily dose of cute tattoos and inspiring artwork!
