Sara Berlin

Handpoke Artist & Owner

I’m a handpoke tattoo artist based in Seattle, WA. My journey with art began in childhood and has taken many forms over the years, from drawing and painting to exploring horticulture, physical therapy, and alternative healing. These experiences all weave into my tattoo practice, where I see tattoos as a deeply healing and transformative art form.

I’ve been handpoke tattooing for six years and am endlessly inspired by nature, ornamental patterns, and the places I’ve traveled. I love creating both large-scale pieces that flow with the body and smaller, highly technical tattoos on areas like the palms, ears, and areolas. Handpoke allows for an incredible level of precision and offers a gentler, more meditative experience for both artist and client.

My path into handpoke began after receiving my first handpoked tattoo, a Sak Yant in Thailand, during a transformative time in my life. I was struck by the way spirituality and art merged in the ritual, and by how little pain I felt during the process. Soon after returning home, I underwent emergency heart surgery that drastically changed my daily life. During recovery, I was told to keep my heart rate below 100 for a year, which made my usual active work impossible. It was during that time that I began learning and practicing the handpoke technique. What started as a quiet way to stay creative became a source of healing and purpose.

Tattooing has since connected me to so many beautiful people and stories. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who trusts me to create art on their bodies and to mark their own moments of transformation, healing, and self-expression.