Sienna Jacobsen Spokane, WA

SIENNA JACOBSEN

I started getting tattooed while I was living in Germany, and I was introduced to real tattooing by AJ Lingerfeldt. He encouraged me to seek an apprenticeship which I finally got into after moving to Hawaii. I tattooed there for a little over 3 years before moving to Spokane and being hired on by Walt Dailey at Tiger Tattoo, where I will probably be until the end of my days. Walt retired, and the shop passed to Duffy Moon. I often travel to do guest spots as well as work the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally ⸺ Who/where do you get your inspiration from? I get a lot of inspiration from the tattooers around me, which is why I like to travel often. I often say I don’t do a single tattoo alone, which is true. I always want opinions from other artists on placement, color theory, or any input that will make my work better. I love watching other tattooers work their craft and try to pick up things I would have never thought of ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Don’t take yourself so seriously, and just commit to a great piece. Everyone wants their first tattoo to mean something, I get it, but honestly, most of the best tattoos don’t mean anything. They are just cool. And stop trying to get the artist to make it smaller ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? I’ve always been artistic, so I don’t think any of them were as surprised as I was. I didn’t grow up exposed to great tattooing; it was all green smudged out “trucker trash.” But once I saw what great tattooing could be, and I was sort of initiated into it, I was hooked ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? The ability to go wherever I want and meet new people. I can bring my job with me ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Get tattooed a lot. Travel. Let people pick apart your tattoos; it will make you better. Take your earbuds out and connect with your client. ✕