We recently had the chance to connect with Sierra Banks and have shared our conversation below.
Sierra, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the most important to me. As a tattoo artist, people trust me with something that’s going to be on their body for life, and I take that responsibility really seriously. Integrity means showing up for my clients, listening to them, and making sure they feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. Of course, energy and intelligence matter too—I love bringing vibrant energy into the studio and constantly learning to improve my craft—but without integrity, none of that really holds up. I want every client to leave not only with a tattoo they love, but also with the experience where they feel heard and respected.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Sierra, the artist behind Lucky Human Tattoo. I’ve been tattooing professionally for about three years now, but my journey started five years ago as a self-taught handpoke artist. My style leans toward psychedelic traditional—bold, high-contrast, and high-saturation pieces that feel a little funky and mind-bending. What makes Lucky Human Tattoo special to me is the atmosphere I try to create. I want my studio and my work to radiate positivity, support, and acceptance, so every client feels safe and celebrated while getting something meaningful to them. Outside of tattooing, I share my life with my partner of four years and our sweet husky mix, who keeps us grounded and playful. Right now, I’m focused on pushing my art into new, more experimental directions while staying true to the bold aesthetic that I love.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I moved abroad to work as an au pair for two amazing kids. Living in a new country and being immersed in a different culture opened me up in ways I didn’t expect—it showed me how much there is to learn just by listening, observing, and being present. Kids have this way of seeing the world with curiosity and wonder, and being around that reminded me to approach life—and art—the same way. That experience made me value openness, adaptability, and connection above everything else, and I carry that into tattooing. Every person who sits in my chair has their own story, their own perspective, and I want to honor that with an open mind and heart.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me the importance of slowing down and taking care of my body in a way success never could. I accidentally cut my hand on glass while trying to rescue a stray dog—so at least my ‘battle scar’ came from a good cause. Facing the possibility of surgery, and the reality of being pulled away from tattooing for a while for hand surgery, was a huge wake-up call. You never realize how much you depend on your hands until you can’t even open a jar of salsa without backup. Tattooing is so tied to my physical health, and this reminded me that if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of my clients or my art. Success usually pushes me to go harder and faster, but suffering made me pause, laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, and focus on healing. It’s teaching me patience, resilience, and to protect these hands like the treasures they are.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In tattooing, I think the difference between fads and foundational shifts comes down to longevity. Fads are fun and they’ll always be part of tattoo culture because people want to feel connected to what’s current in pop culture—but they don’t always age well on the skin or in meaning. For me, I aim to make tattoos that hold up over time, both technically and visually. I want my work to still be bold, legible, and full of life when someone is old and wrinkly. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, push the craft forward in a way that lasts, and that’s where I want to place my energy. My purpose isn’t to chase trends but to create art that reflects my own psychedelic-traditional vision, something that feels timeless even while being bold and a little mind-bending.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to do—not because I had it all figured out from the start, but because I’ve always followed the thread of creativity wherever it pulled me. I was lucky enough to have a mom who encouraged me to chase my dreams, which for me meant saying yes to a lot of different opportunities and living a few different ‘lives’ along the way. I explored fashion marketing, special effects prosthetics, and eventually found my home in tattooing. While I never had total clarity on the exact path, the constant was always art and creativity. Tattooing is where I feel the most aligned right now, but I also know that life shifts—and I’ll only tattoo as long as it truly serves me. I want to stay open to whatever the universe has in store, but for now, this feels like exactly where I’m meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://helloluckyhuman.com
- Instagram: @luckyhumantattoo
