#BossLadySeattle // Sierra Argyle of Seattle Oil & Ink
Hi Friends!
It’s been a hot minute and I had a chance to pop by (masked, of course) to visit Seattle Oil & Ink in the old Rainier Brewery building to visit a new friend.
Meet Sierra Argyle,
Tattoo Artist and Mom
1. Tell me a bit about your work as a tattooer and artist. How did you get into the work you do now?
I have been a tattoo artist for 5.5 years now and I started working here at Seattle Ink & Oil 6 years ago. I got really lucky! It was totally an untraditional entry point. I actually met Justin (the owner of Seattle Ink & Oil) through my husband a few years before.I’ve always been an artist and knew that I wanted to do something creative. As I graduated high school early, I told my parents that I would become a hairstylist or tattoo artist. They weren’t stoked about either option! I decided to move to Seattle to get my Bachelors Degree in Media Arts and Animation. Then fast forward a few years later, things changed. I was going up for a program manager position at a major tech company. My husband could tell I wasn’t happy and was being overworked, so he convinced me to quit my job and follow my creative passion. Justin offered to teach me to tattoo because he knew he wouldn’t have to teach me to draw. It was a tough process due to several reasons, including my own pride. I went from making good money to no income. Starting out, you have to work your way up and there’s a lot involved. I really wanted to contribute back to my family again. In fact, I even kept track of all my expenses especially to help pay back my training. At some point after I had my second child, I figured we were good. :)
2. What do you love most about the work you do?
I love the collaboration I get with my clients. It’s not just my art, it’s something that we create together. I have a strict consultation process so I can get a chance to get to know my clients a little before I do any drawing for them. I also love the relationships formed in the process.
3. What is the biggest challenge for you running your usually face-to-face business right now? How can we help?
Scheduling has been tricky right now with clients and fear of lockdown again. We used the lockdown time to finish upgrading Seattle Ink & Oil’s studio space. It’s pretty rad with these individual pods, so that you can have some privacy and keep our stations spotless and sanitary. We did have to deal with appointments being cancelled and uncertainty about clients whereabouts. Thankfully we were already on top of sanitation standards prior to COVID and we added an additional checklist for all our staff and clients we serve. This includes everyone in the studio being masked, asking clients to self-screen for symptoms (including cancelling if they have ANY), and arriving alone. We also do a health screening with temperature checks, washing hands, and questionnaire. So far, everyone has been onboard. It’s just about having open communication with each other. And patience and understanding. We’re all dealing with this pandemic.
Inside the newly renovated Seattle Oil & Ink studio in the old Rainier Brewery Building
Sierra in her element with a client. Seattle Oil & Ink continues to take public health seriously, including health screening prior to any work and staff and clients all masked.
The lower healed tattoo is by another tattoo artist named Rita Von Lehe
4. What are you looking forward to, despite this pandemic?
I’m so looking forward to scheduling and figuring out how to juggle the demands of my waitlist (If you’re wondering, Sierra is booked out into 2021 already). I have small children so I’m also looking forward to having more time for my work when my kids are school.
Want to know more about Sierra and her work?
If you don't already, be sure to follow Sierra on Instagram.
Also, if you’re interested in working with Sierra on a custom project, check out her profile here at Seattle Oil & Ink.
