Custom ink
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: How many artists sell every piece they make? Every once in a while I get to sell two pieces at once -- once when I give a tattoo, and once when I draw up something custom for the tattoo.
A lot of the time I get walk-ins that want something traditional. Every time a training period ends there's a group of people wanting to commemorate the occasion, and a lot of traditional flash is military or has a patriotic theme. But every weekend I'm able to do custom work, whether it's just modifying something off the wall or coming up with something completely original. I've been really fortunate the past few weekends to get to do a lot of original pieces, including some new work on one of my favorite customers who has her own ideas before she even walks into the shop. There are two benefits to getting the artist to draw something for you when you go to get a tattoo, you don't have to spend time looking to see if the shop has something you like, and you get something which is personal that nobody else has ever gotten.
Sometimes it's just nice to be able to sit down and work with someone who knows what they want, just to get some new ideas and inspiration, like with the punk rocker shown here. I used to be in a band in the 90s but haven't played guitar much lately. With all the other designs I've been doing it was nice to get back and do a guitar-based drawing, and even nicer to see it inked (the photo of it on his curved arm doesn't do it justice). Working with him on the design helped make the experience more personal for him, and he got something he was happy with that he knows is unique.
-Alex
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