McKenzie County Farmer - Archive

M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer

Watford City might seem an unlikely launchpad for a reality TV star, but for tattoo artist Emily Sabrina Estrada, it was the place that shaped her destiny. Estrada, a Southern California native who found a new life and a thriving career as a North Dakotan, is now representing her adopted hometown on Paramount+’s Ink Master: Hometown Heroes, Season 17, trading the quiet life for a high-stakes competition. Her journey showcases her commitment to her craft, as well as the idea that big dreams can flourish in the most unexpected places.

Estrada’s path to becoming a recognized artist specializing in black and gray realism was anything but linear. Originally from San Bernardino, California, she arrived in North Dakota at age 19 after a personal tragedy, seeking a clean slate. She followed her parents, who worked in the oil field, and soon found herself in a job in Mandaree. “I was going through a rough time in my life... I knew I needed a change” Estrada shared. She realized “only making $10.50 at a warehouse” in California didn’t fit into her bigger life picture, and decided to take a leap of faith, making the bold move to what she only knew was “North.”

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