Meet Raene Daniel

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raene Daniel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raene below.

Raene, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Everything changed after my son was diagnosed with a fatal heart defect in 2019. Losing him shattered the way I understood life, purpose, and myself. After he passed, I didn’t feel inspired or driven—I was simply surviving. The light and passion I once had were gone, and for a long time, survival was the only thing I knew how to do.
My son’s heart is now displayed at the University of Florida, where it helps others learn about his condition. Knowing that his life continues to educate and help others planted the first seed of meaning for me, even when I couldn’t feel it yet.

I went on to have another child shortly after, and while there was love and gratitude, I still felt an absence—like something essential was missing inside me. That’s when I began teaching myself how to tattoo. What started as a way to cope became a form of healing. I discovered that ink could be therapy—not just for me, but for others carrying pain, loss, and stories that needed somewhere to live. Through tattooing, I found my purpose wasn’t about returning to who I was before grief. It was about transforming pain into something meaningful, permanent, and healing. I believe in ink as therapy because it gave me a way to reconnect with life, honor loss, and help others do the same.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a tattoo artist who approaches my work as a form of therapy and storytelling. Every piece I create is rooted in intention—whether it’s honoring a loved one, reclaiming a body after trauma, or marking a moment of transformation. I don’t see tattoos as decoration; I see them as emotional landmarks, permanent reminders of resilience, love, and survival.

What excites me most about what I do is the trust people place in me during some of their most vulnerable moments. Many clients come to me carrying grief, loss, or deeply personal stories, and together we translate those emotions into something tangible and empowering. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching someone leave not just with new ink, but with a sense of release or closure.

Rained Out Ink is built on the belief that art can heal. I’ve recently moved into a new private studio in Mulberry, Florida, now located inside Studio S Suites. This space allows me to create a calm, fun, and bright nostalgic experience—one intentionally designed to feel safe and personal. It’s a place where stories are shared, tears are welcome, and ink therapy happens with complete privacy.

I want people to know that my work is about more than tattoos—it’s about holding space. I’m especially drawn to memorial pieces and deeply meaningful work because I understand firsthand how important it is to carry our stories with us in a way that feels honoring and intentional.

In addition to custom work, I host monthly tiny tattoo events that offer smaller designs at a discounted rate. These events are meant to make meaningful tattoos more accessible while still preserving the heart and care behind each piece. Whether someone is marking a milestone, honoring a memory, or simply choosing something that speaks to them, my goal is to create an experience that feels supportive, empowering, and lasting.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey were resilience, self-trust, and a willingness to learn—even when I felt broken.

First was resilience. After loss, I wasn’t motivated by ambition or vision—I was motivated by survival. Showing up on the hardest days, even when I felt empty, became an act of strength. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to stop waiting to feel ready or inspired. Consistency during the difficult seasons matters more than momentum during the good ones.

Second was learning to trust myself again. Grief disconnects you from your intuition, and rebuilding that relationship took time. Teaching myself how to tattoo wasn’t just about learning a skill—it was about believing I was capable of creating something meaningful with my own hands. For others, I’d say: listen to the quiet pull you keep ignoring. Start small, but honor it. Confidence grows through action, not overthinking.

The third was embracing learning as healing. I approached tattooing with humility and curiosity, understanding that skill takes patience. Allow yourself to be a beginner. Invest time in learning, ask questions, practice relentlessly, and don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten. Growth comes from dedication, not perfection.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t rush your process or try to bypass the hard parts. Purpose is built, not discovered overnight. Be gentle with yourself, stay honest about where you are, and keep moving forward—even if progress feels slow.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth over the past year has been the speed and confidence with which I stepped into my calling. I went from teaching myself how to tattoo at home, to entering an apprenticeship, to owning my own private studio—all in less than a year. None of this was something I planned or could have accomplished on my own.

I truly believe this happened because of God’s blessing and provision. Every opportunity opened at the exact moment I needed it to, even when I didn’t feel ready or qualified. Owning my own studio wasn’t just a business achievement—it was something God placed in my path, and I chose to trust Him and say yes.

This season taught me that when you walk in faith and obedience, doors open in ways you can’t manufacture yourself. I’m deeply grateful for how God provided the opportunity to build a space that reflects healing, purpose, and intention.

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