MILA SASIETA

I seek to have a level of creative freedom in my work. The best tattoos will always result from a healthy balance of client input and artistic freedom. My work is inspired by combining a mixture of ideas and styles. I have a great passion for tattooing and am excited to continue down its path.

Who/where do you get your inspiration from? All of my inspiration comes from my life experiences and seeking my own relationship with the environment around me.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) The worst part is the anticipation! Similar to a roller coaster, a lot of the fear comes from anticipating the next step. Just try to relax and eat beforehand!

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? I don’t have many people in my life, but the ones I do are very supportive of my lifestyle change. As a military veteran, I found a lot of the skills I obtained during my career translated very well into my new field.

What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Knowing I can create living art that will last its wearer a lifetime, creating art that will laugh, cry, grow, and age with its wearer.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? I have always found joy in various art forms, and I have always loved tattoos, so eventually, I decided to cut out the middleman and pursue an apprenticeship.

Was it hard getting an apprenticeship? How was yours? There was a lot of hard work that went into obtaining it. Although I do not regret my apprenticeship, it certainly was not an ideal situation, and unfortunately, I hear many similar stories.

Are there any tattoos you would refuse to do? (face, private areas, etc.) I will always refuse to do a tattoo if I do not feel I am the artist best fit for the project. Outside of that, anything is fair game!

What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? I love seeing new styles of tattoos every day! What we are seeing today is very different than what we would see a decade ago, and I am excited to see where it goes next. ✕