Meet Kia Sativa | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kia Sativa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Personally I believe life is all about taking risks. Whether it works out or not you’re still able to learn from it and apply it further on. If you’re too comfortable you’re not growing and progressing. Taking risks is what got me in the career that I’m in currently by quitting my warehouse job and pursuing tattooing full time. It was definitely a little nerve wrecking at first but I was happy that I was pursuing something that I loved and would be able to express myself creatively everyday.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up I was always doing something artistic and was always in art clubs or an art class in school. Luckily for me the journey to becoming a tattoo artist was relatively easy. I asked one of the shops that I was getting tattooed at if they needed a receptionist or assistant and they did, then eventually my mentor taught me how to do tattoos and it’s been up since. One issue I did face was balancing my regular job and working at the shop when I first started, I eventually began to feel like I wasn’t pushing myself to my full potential working at my old job and felt stagnant then eventually quit, but everyone in my life supported my decisions and it made me feel like it was worth my while. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way is becoming more adaptable and social. Working at the shop has definitely improved my communication skills and helped me break out my shell.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we’d go to one of flea markets in the city, walk around and look for cool trinkets and clothing. And you can’t go to the flea market without getting some Cajun boiled peanuts, fresh fruit with Tajin, or a funnel cake, it’s an essential. Next we’d hit up a thrift store and walk round until we done looking. By this time we’d be definitely hungry, so we’d hit up one of the best chicken spots, Lemon Pepper or get some jerk chicken. Then we’d slide back home and kick it and play the switch or ps2 for nostalgia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout my mom for always letting me express myself growing up, my mentor and the reason why I’m even tattooing, Shano, and the shop that I’m at, Born Artful, for helping me grow as a person and artist! And also my coworkers Leah (@leahdavinci) and Ashley (@a.marieink) for their constant encouragement

Instagram: @kiasativa

Image Credits
@Jvstindgaf