A Journey Through

I’m Emilce — also known as Emily Rope (but I like to be called Emi). I’m an artist: craftmaker, illustrator, and handpoke tattooer living in Belgium.

I left my home in Argentina when I was 26, searching for a place to belong — really, I was looking to find myself. I wandered through Latin America, Asia, and Europe, learning from the land, from the people, and from the ups and downs along the way.

Over the past eight years, tattooing has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. Through it, I meet people in such an honest way — we share something sacred that stays with us long after the ink has settled. These connections go beyond the moment. They don’t fade. We stay in touch, we reflect on the meaning, we remember. I truly honor and respect every person who trusts me with their skin and their story.

Most of my inspiration comes from nature — from flow and stillness, from rough edges and hardships, from the way everything eventually finds its place. I listen deeply to what my clients bring, and to what I sense wants to be expressed. Together, we follow the thread until it aligns.

The Portal — my new workspace in Turnhout, Belgium — is meant to feel like home: a space for slow, intentional gatherings. It’s calm (a little wild at times), and it holds space for transformation.