Flash, Friday the 13th and Finding confidence

The first time I ever did flash was for Friday the 13th… in October. Halloween vibes were already strong, but I had no idea just how big of a moment that day would end up being for me.

Up until then, I’d been tattooing mostly what people brought to me designs they found online, ideas they wanted copied exactly. I didn’t mind it. I was just excited to be tattooing at all. But I knew deep down, my real dream was to get my art out there. To have people wear something I actually drew from scratch.

So I took a leap.

I made the decision to stop waitressing Friday nights my most reliable, money-making shift. That one hurt. I told my boss I wouldn’t be working Friday the 13th, and that I’d be done with Fridays altogether after that. My stomach was in knots. I kept thinking… What if I just gave up my best income night for nothing? What if no one books? What if I’m not actually ready for this?

But I drew up a little Halloween flash sheet, posted it, and held my breath.

And guess what? Every spot filled.

People were excited. I was excited. I couldn’t believe people actually wanted something I drew not just something trendy or copied. My art. On their skin. Forever.

It was a huge shift for me. That one day gave me the confidence I needed to believe I could actually do this. That I could create original designs people loved. That I could build something real.

That Friday the 13th changed everything.

I still get nervous sometimes who doesn’t? But I think back to that moment and remember how it felt. The nerves, the risk… and then the incredible feeling when it all worked out.

This is why I keep going. To get more of my art out into the world, one spooky little flash at a time.