We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Flood and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sean, how do you think about risk?
Oh man, I feel like I’ve been rolling the dice since I got started. I sold my car to get some sound gear to start my first band. I played in a cover band for about 8 years with my best friends. The dice roll worked out beautifully. We played thousands of shows and made some money on the way.
When that career was in it’s twilight, I rolled the dice again moving to another state fresh into my tattoo career. I was just 5 years in. Any tattooer who has tried to relocate across state lines knows how risky that move can be. Me, my wife and daughter came to atlanta with like $1700 and a dream. 6 years later, that dice roll also worked out very nicely. So to say that I am comfortable taking risks is an understatement. Then again, I’ve always bet on myself and the belief in myself makes the decision to roll much easier.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is always evolving. I dabble in many areas to keep the skills sharp and the knowledge pouring in. I tattoo, paint, sculpt, draw, sing, play several instruments, dance, act, and even try my hand in the digital realm in graphic design and multimedia production.
My tattoos are mainly in the realism genre with heavy influences from Japanese and American Traditional tattoos and other illustrative forms. I love color or black and grey tattoos. I prefer to go big or go home. If you are getting a tattoo from me, give me the biggest body part you can. I want to cover your whole body in ink!!
I’ve learned that if you focus on the art, then all other things will fall into place. I am living proof of that ideal and I hope it continues to grow and evolve into more than I could ever imagine.
I want the world to know that hard work is where the key to success is, not the easy work. Talent is not enough, you must keep your head down and push harder everyday. This industry is sink or swim.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite spots in the Atlanta area are Little 5 points, East Atlanta Village, My Parent’s Basement in Avondale Estates, the Beltline for a nice pub crawl, and the Battery. I’m a big sports fan so I always have a good time at the Braves Stadium. You can find any kind of person hanging out in West Midtown, lots to do there and a beautiful mix of people at all these spots. Atlanta is so colorful I love it here!!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where do I begin? I could go on and on about dead artists and authors that paved the way for all artists in my generation, but I’d rather talk about the very much alive mentors I have had throughout my 11 years as a tattoo artist.
First, I’ll headline this list with 4 major players:
I started my apprenticeship under Hugh Fowler (Now at A Sailor’s Grave, Calhoun, GA) after being hired on as shop apprentice by Jerry Pipkins (Seventh Seal, Panama City, FL) . Once my apprenticeship was over and I began taking on clients, the clients came from the crowds that the shop (A Sailor’s Grave, Panama City, FL) brought in. The shop had 2 more major mentors of mine in Darren Anderson (Full Hearts, Ft Walton, FL) and Ian Scurlock (Magnolia co. Tallahassee, FL). The 4 of those guys really helped cut my teeth in the tattoo industry. They had the patience and the skills to help guide me as I grew as an artist and as a business mind. I can only hope to give back as much as they gave to me.
After leaving my home shop to venture out into the Southeast in search of more, I eventually made it to Atlanta and surrounding areas.
There are so many more people to thank so I will just make this list. These people helped out of the kindness in their soul and out of belief in me. Trusting me with knowledge and information that they knew I would never take for granted. Some helped simply by inspiring me to be better:
Grant Loveless (Georgia)
Andy Cagle (Georgia)
John (Yogi) Barrett (Georgia)
Rob Flat (Atlanta)
Rob Berrong (Atlanta)
John (Stani) Staniforth (Georgia)
April Ramirez (Georgia)
Alvin Djihic (Georgia)
Carlos Peralta (Georgia)
Jessica Sanchez (Georgia)
Taro Bushido (Georgia)
Mikey Newblood (Tennessee)
Kris Ford (Tennessee)
Shykiem Rashida (Alabama)
Oscar Zornosa (Atlanta)
Jimmy Pearlman (Florida)
Chris Olsen (Florida)
Mile Scholes (Florida)
Andy Bolin (Florida)
Miguel Olascuaga (Atlanta)
Nick Martin (Atlanta)
Matt Stebly (Ocean Springs, MS)
Ulys Blair (California)
Dave Tevenal (Ohio)
There are probably more, and I’d be nowhere without these guys/girls. Without them paving the way, there would be no path to follow. Forever grateful
Instagram: @_snacksy
Image Credits
Madi Allen Photography for the headshots