Raquan Mckinstry

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My latest tattoos cover my upper arm up Marvin the Martian,Yosemite Sam,Road Runner,and Taz, each symbolizing one of my brothers and me. At the same time, I got my whole left stomach and side done a cupid breaking through a heart with “In Love with Pain” beneath it. It’s not literal—it means I’ve been through so much that I’ve learned to cope by embracing my hardships. I was shaking from the pain—single needle, tough spots—but in prison, time short

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could talk, it’d tell the story of my life , pain, growth, and lessons learned. I went to prison at 17, became a man, and fell in love with tattoo art. Each piece has meaning, done by different prison artists who may never be seen. I’m a walking mural for their talent and my journey. My tattoos show love, loss, strength, and survival proof that even in struggle, beauty and story can live on.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, everything would change. I work every day and im just grateful to be able to rebuild my life after beating the odds of prison. I lost my mom , my best friend last year, and my dad when I was 14. After 12 years, I could finally give him a headstone. I’d be able to give my 1-year-old and 6-year-old sons a home that they can grow up in. And we’d give back too, donating to a cancer association in my mom’s honor. This would be our fresh start.