Friday the 13th serves as a day of unlucky superstitions and anxieties, but despite this, tattoo shops across the nation offer flash deals, an opportunity for visitors to receive a tattoo at a discounted rate. The Central Valley is no exception to this rule.

Modesto: Painted Ape

Dakota Saing, a tattoo artist from Modesto’s Painted Ape, described Friday the 13th Flash events as both hectic and fun as the artists prepare for the day and try to stay organized as one client after another comes in and out of their studio spaces

Painted Ape is brimming with vibrant colors and framed tattoo art cascades the walls. From the entrance, there is a long narrow hallway lined with doors to singular studio spaces where clients get their tattoos in areas that allow for more privacy and reflect the personality of the artists.

Saing expressed a sense of fulfillment in being able to participate in flash events.

“You get to meet new people, make new clients, and kind of just share the love that everyone has given us. You know what I mean? So, it’s cool to be able to do these cheaper tattoos and it feels good,” Saing said.

Saing went on to explain the rationale behind the flash events. Not only are they trying to get new people in the door, but they are giving people the opportunity to see what they’re all about and who the artists are. Searching for a tattoo artist is like searching for a therapist, you want to find an artist whose work resonates with you and whose personality compliments your own.

Merced: Forever Tatted

Alex Olvera, a tattoo artist from Merced’s Forever Tatted said, “People want that lil escape, that luxury of a tattoo – because it is, a tattoo is a luxury.” Flash events make tattoo experiences attainable for people who crave art that lasts as long as their flesh, but cannot afford to spend time and money.

According to Olvera, the main point of flash events are to bring community awareness to their shop and gain clientele. Upon visiting the shop, one immediately gets the sense that this place is like home for those who work there. Visiting Forever Tatted reflects the experience of living in Merced. The attitudes are truthful and straight-forward, and you might catch them barbecuing out back to make sure the “family” is grubbing.

Worth noting, Olvera mentioned the immense appreciation artists feel towards “awesome clients that bring [them] snacks and energy drinks.”

Take note of this for next time you plan on getting a tattoo!