We were lucky to catch up with Sierra Banks recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sierra, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful projects are when a client allows me to become a part of their healing journey through my artwork. People get tattoos for many reasons, but the most special for me are the moments when I get to witness a client love a part of their body that would have otherwise been an area of discomfort. I have to remind myself how impactful my job is and the pivotal roll tattoos play in people’s healing journey. Tattooing is transformative and can help a client reclaim confidence in their body.
Sierra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Sierra and I am a self and community taught handpoke artist originally from Northern Idaho. Three years ago, I would have never imagined that I’d have my dream job at the age of 24. I first started tattooing by the request of my younger sister who was eager to get her first tattoo regardless of being just months short of her 18th birthday. Knowing that neither of our parents would be excited to sign off on an underaged tattoo, I decided to be the cool older sister and offer to handpoke her first tattoo. We immediately ordered supplies off of Amazon, posted up in the kitchen of our childhood home and my handpoke tattoo journey began! Soon after, I started tattooing friends and months down the road, I found myself tattooing strangers out of my quaint basement bedroom with nothing more than an office chair for comfort and daylight from the only window in the room. At the time, I was also working as a barista and came to realize that during those few hours a week I got to tattoo my doodles, I was making more money than my day job and was happier than ever. On November 11th of 2020 I was welcomed into my first official tattoo shop experience as a resident artist at Big Boy Tattoo Parlour in Northern Idaho. This opportunity was such a game changer for my little business and left an impact on who I’d blossom into as a professional tattoo artist. I quickly realized that I had so much to learn considering that I was self taught and new to the world of body modifications. The greatest lesson I learned from my mentor at that shop, was to draw everyday even if it was crap and to be steadfast in who I am and what style of art I wanted to create. I will never forget that advice. Flash forward about a year, I made the spontaneous decision to pack up my Subaru Forester and make the 30 hour drive down to Austin, Texas to immerse myself in a city full of skillful tattoo artists. I knew that growth was only possible if I challenged myself and plucked myself out of my comfort zone. I was blessed with a job at Tiny Tats ATX which has offered such a seamless transition into handpoke tattooing full time. Everyday I get to come to work amongst a team of supportive, and beautifully talented women that have encouraged me even through the challenges this artistry brings. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for the clients that have trusted me to permanently ink their bodies over the years and allowed me to live out a life I once thought I’d only get to dream about!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Earlier this year I ran into an obstacle that changed how I’ve been able to tattoo moving forward. After almost three years of handpoking, and an intense four hour session, my dominant hand suddenly had sharp pain running throughout it. A quick visit to the doctor and I was advised to take at least 2 weeks off of work to heal what was the beginning stage of tendonitis. I soon realized that it wasn’t sustainable for me to continue handpoking at the rate I had been used to. My heart was crushed because of how much love I have for my job and the clients I work with. With the encouragement of my amazing coworkers, I decided to learn how to use a tattoo machine which has allowed me to tattoo quicker and use different muscles in my hand, saving it from further injury. As I slowly transitioned, I had to give myself extra love and grace with learning a new skill and to accept that flaws were normal. In the end, I am over the moon that I was pushed into an opportunity to challenge myself and explore my artistry as a machine artist.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
As a professional artist, I struggle balancing what the consumer wants vs what I want to create. Reading through tattoo inquiries, I start to dream up a design based on what a client has described. However with these guidelines, it can be difficult to please both my client and the free flowing creative within me. There are days when I question my place as an artist and what purpose I bring to tattooing. It’s within those moments that I have to lean into my senses and remember what sparks life into my lungs. I strongly believe that my artistry is a product of life’s adventures, and challenges. My style has been influenced in many different directions throughout the years. From my travels as an au pair in Europe to moving myself to a number of big cities in the US, I always find new inspirations to create from. I love incorporating my personal experiences into the artwork I create for my clients, satisfying both my creative flow and clients’ ideas.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @luckyhumanpokes