Custom only artists

Any tattoo artist (or tattooist I guess) who puts down doing flash work is a fookin' punk. I'm not saying if all you do is custom you're wrong or even who I'm talking about. But someone who is going to put down a shop for having flash or refuse to do a flash piece because they are better than that..... I'm just saying that flash was and is a major part of what tattooing in America is. That was a a way of networking, getting your name out there and when you got your first sheet of flash done was one of the first milestones of your career. Kind of like your first (unjacked up) magnum needle grouping. These same punks probably couldn't tell you anyone in our history except Sailor Jerry and Don Hardy. Ask them who Greg Irons was. Or Owen Jensen, Bill Jones, Bert Grimm or Paul Jeffries. Mention Huck Spaulding and I bet all they know is a supply company. How many of them can tune their own machine? I'm all for custom pieces and furthering the artistic side of the industry, very much so. But Cherry Creek and before that Tattoo Brand flash paid my bills while these "custom only" elitists were still jammin to n-synch and rubbin' one off to Dad's playboy from his sock drawer.

I think Hulk Smash said once " Sometimes we makes art sometimes we makes money" I try to learn from every piece I do no matter how small or cheesey it may be.

Since you brought up tiny - what's with that? I LOVE most of the epic, full back/sleeve/leg stuff, but it really doesn't fit in my lifestyle right now. I have two tattoos, one on my wrist that is about 1.5 inches around and a phoenix on my back that's probably 7-8 inches around. I'd love to get something VERY tiny behind my ear, and maybe a couple other small "embellishments" - but I want them to be great - not just the same old same old. It seems like big is great, small sucks in the tattoo world. How does one find someone who excels in tiny stuff?

Ben Grillo, and Anil Gupta do amazing tiny pieces..

as an enthusuasts point of view work is work.

I can see why some artists (especially new ones) prefer custom work as they may find that the best outlet for their creativity. they may feel that sticking to flash will not help them grow and progress as an artist.

then again, you can always take some basic flash and make it your own. all depends on what the client wants. gots to get paid

If there's enough demand for your "custom" work, I say go for it. But certainly shouldn't be putting down others who do flash. After all, you spend years doing it before building up a loyal clientel. I'd like to be "custom only" some day, but not until I've done a few more years and built up my name more.

nothing wrong with good flash, but I prefer to do custom at every opportunity

There is no flash at my husbands shop. Before there was flash, there was only custom. He doesn't put down flash shops, though. Actually, Jason doesn't really put down ANYBODY.