Meet Sofiia Streltsova | Handpoke Tattoo Artist

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

Hi Sofiia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been drawn to art. I started drawing from a very young age and later completed an architectural education, becoming an urban planner. This background shaped my sense of structure, symbolism, and form. Handpoke tattooing felt like a natural continuation of my creative path, combining intention, precision, and human connection into a deeply personal art form.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is focused on creating tattoos based on people’s personal stories. Each piece is built through symbols that hold meaning for the person, forming a unique chain of imagery with its own quiet language. Working in handpoke allows the process to remain slow, intentional, and intimate. I see tattooing as a gentle, almost ritual act where personal meaning is translated into something lasting and deeply individual.

I began this path naturally. I have always been deeply interested in symbolism, hidden meanings, and the way images can carry energy beyond words. Over time, I consciously developed this direction, learning how symbols interact, echo each other, and create a narrative rather than a single image.

I want tattooing to be perceived not simply as a drawing on the skin, but as a form of art. Something intimate, intentional, and emotionally charged. A tattoo can carry presence, memory, and identity, becoming a meaningful extension of the person rather than just a visual element.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the neighborhoods where old San Francisco still lives. Walking through areas like Alamo Square, Hayes Valley, and Pacific Heights, surrounded by Victorian and Edwardian houses, you can feel the city’s history and character. These streets feel intimate and alive, where architecture tells stories and everyday life moves at a slower, more human pace.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Nora Lyashko @nora_ink

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