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Pro Team Artist Interview: Gustavo “El Bara” Barahona Fernández
Gustavo “El Bara” Barahona Fernández got his start in tattooing through the hardcore and punk scene of late-'80s Buenos Aires – a raw, electric world of underground music, skateboarding, and hand-drawn graphics.
More than three decades later, traditional tattooing is still at the center of his work.
As a member of the Revolution Needles Pro Team, Bara sat down with us to talk about how he got started, what inspires him, and what keeps him going after more than thirty years in tattooing.
How Bara Got Started in Tattooing
I started in Buenos Aires, Argentina, doing it as a hobby. My first introduction to tattooing came through the hardcore and punk scene of the late 1980s.
Back then, tattooing was rebellion, identity, and belonging – tied to underground music, skateboarding, and packed punk shows. That same energy still shapes the way El Bara tattoos today.
What Inspires El Bara’s Tattoo Style
Mainly classic tattoo flash from the first half of the 20th century, along with skate and concert graphics from the ’80s and ’90s.
Those influences come through clearly in his work: bold designs, strong layouts, and classic tattoo subjects. Traditional tattooing sits at the core of his style, though he draws on other traditions too.
My style is a personal take on classic traditional subjects, though I also really enjoy Japanese tattooing and black and grey.
He isn't chasing trends, and he never has. What he's built over the years is unmistakably his own, earned line by line.
El Bara’s Favorite Tattoo Subjects
Ask him what he loves to tattoo most, and there's no hesitation.
Mainly classic tattoo flash from the first half of the 20th century, along with skate and concert graphics from the ’80s and ’90s.
It’s a natural fit: classic, direct, and rooted in tattoo history.
Staying Inspired After Three Decades of Tattooing
After more than thirty years of tattooing, his answer is refreshingly simple.
For me, it comes down to enjoying the work every day and putting love and personality into every design.
No trends. No hype. Just a genuine commitment to tattooing.
Joining the Revolution Needles Pro Team
I feel grateful that you thought of me, and I’ve been impressed by the quality of the products you make and the professionalism behind everything you do.
At Revolution Needles, we’re proud to work with artists who value consistency, precision, and the responsibility that comes with every line.
Because every line stays connected to the artist who made it.
That's what the Revolution Pro Team stands for.
Explore El Bara's Favorite Tattoo Needle Setups
