Clarification for the Haters

It has come to my attention that I have offended a few people with my tattoo article about artist Jordan Madere and Turning Point Tattoos. My editor received a few calls from other shops in the area complaining that my comment about flash tattoo shops was wrong and I was gonna hurt their business. I believe something was said to the effect of "who the hell am I", "they've never heard of me" and because of this fact "I'm a nobody in tattoo industry."
Ok cool. Let me just clarify my position on the subject and to set the record straight. First off, Ink & Oil magazine has nothing to do with this blog, my opinion or this response, so don't complain to the Editor if you read something here you don't like. Second, I meant exactly what I said. If you want a tattoo go to a custom shop if at all possible They do better work, period. But that is just my opinion. I'm sure flash oriented shops do have talented artists. But thats not the issue, regardless of talent your still picking a design off a wall that anyone else in the world can and has gotten. That's my issue with flash. I am 37 years old and I got my first tattoo at 17. It was a custom piece, and every piece since has been as well. The total number of tattoos I have is 10, which includes a half sleeve on my left arm, a back piece covering at least half and now nearly a full sleeve on my right arm. So just to clarify I've got experience with tattoos and tattoo shops. I'm not a noob so put that card back in the deck.
It seems that there are different schools of thought on the issue and it's no surprise. Now to clarify why these "other" shops need not to worry about my statement or the fact that custom shops exist. While I was in Turning Point getting tattooed I saw people come in and want to see designs, and get tattoos that day. Well for the most part that's just not gonna happen at a custom shop. So they left. And do you know where they went. To a flash oriented shop where they could see tangible "art" and get immediate results. I think it is safe to say that custom shops loose more business due to the fact that they do not offer the immediate gratification that we as Americans crave. And that's where these flash oriented shops come in. They fulfill the need of a segment of society that wants tattoos in a certain way. The 45 year old who is getting his first (and more than likely, only tattoo) and the girls night out crowd that decides at the dinner table lets all get one. Then there's the guy who has a family and works 2 jobs who can only spend $80 at a time and custom work is basically out of his budget.
Plain and simple flash work is probably ok for most of these people. And I guaruntee that those tattoo shops are making money hand over fist doing $80 tattoos all day long. Great for them. They fulfill a need. I'm not dogging them as artists or skilled professionals. But if you want a lifelong relationship with tattoos then don't sell yourself short, go custom. Maybe your first tattoo was a flash piece, that's cool. But move up and expect better because it's out there. And as far as the question of who am I? I am the industry! I am the guy going and getting tattoos. Im the one who people ask "cool tat, who did it?" So slow your roll and instead of bringing down a kickass shop like Turning Point who got some good press, how about we all strive to raise the bar. Maybe next time the kid comes in for a first tattoo and picks a lucky 13 with a horseshoe off the wall, ask him what he likes so you can alter it an make it a little more custom. It's gotta start somewhere.