Is there such a thing as "original flash"?

I know that the subject of flash has come up a thousand times on this forum before and I have briefly looked at some of the back posts to find what I am looking for. But in the interest of time, here is my question/situation. Lately, I have been fucking aggrivated when I sit down and try to work on a sheet of flash because it seems that everything I am doing is in reference to/ seems similar to/ seen that, etc.... I feel like a complete fucking idiot because I know I can draw my ass off, but I have nothing to show for it, and it puts off the impression that I am just fucking off this opportunity. I was embarrassed to ask this at first but I have reached my breaking point. What do you guys keep in mind when you sit down to create a sheet of flash? Seriously? Or am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill? I'll be here 'til 2 in the a-m. Input from everyone would be so much appreciated!!!

I guess I draw flash? I don't know my sheets aren't standard size and don't have a standard layout, which is more than likely a bad thing. The question you're asking is more of an existential one I think. The whole "imitation of life" thing so I won't get into that ball of wax. I think you're having trouble reconciling your own vision with what the masses want. In some senses you have to do this, but it also cramps your style. So instead of saying "how can I do something different than X" try saying to yourself "Hey, X looks neat, how can I change that to make it a tattoo?" I've tried designs off of napkin edges, halves of coconuts (the idea from which I got standing in line in the DMV almost six years ago) and Easter eggs. Sometimes the subject matter will overlap with other people, and that's ok, it happens all the time and you should never be afraid of it. Your input will always be different, and unique. Don't be afraid to try weird things. Weird is good, weird is your friend. I'll bet 20 bucks you'll impress more people with flash art of a stapler that you came up with than with a dragon. The more you let yourself go and do what you really want then you can take back those experiences and apply it to more "traditional" subjects. Uh, so in closing, be a strange, weird and crazy nerd. It can only help. And also, if you're looking for a flash buddy, or someone to draw with and shoot ideas around, I'm here....wherever here might be..even though my drawing skills are probably quite a ways back from yours.