In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, a new contender has entered the ring, and it's turning the art world on its head. Meet Flashes, the latest photo and video-sharing app seamlessly integrated with the Bluesky social network—designed specifically for artists working in visual mediums.
Portfolio Mode: A Curated Gallery, Not a Cluttered Feed
One of the biggest frustrations with Instagram and other mainstream platforms is the lack of control over what your audience sees. Your feed becomes a chaotic mix of experiments, commissions, behind-the-scenes shots, and works-in-progress. Flashes solves this problem with its Portfolio Mode, a feature that allows artists to carefully curate their work and present only the pieces they want to showcase. Think of it as your own personal gallery, without the noise—a clean, professional space where your art speaks for itself.
For illustrators, photographers, designers, and other visual artists, this is a game-changer. No more pinning posts, no more buried masterpieces—your best work stays front and center.
Customizable Profile Tabs: Present Your Art, Your Way
Artists aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither should their profiles be. With Flashes, customizable profile tabs allow users to shape their digital presence to reflect their artistic identity. Whether you want to feature process videos, collaborations, or full collections, Flashes gives you the tools to structure your profile without conforming to a rigid algorithm-driven layout.
For concept artists, tattoo designers, and mixed-media creators who work across multiple styles, this means more control over how different projects are presented. You decide what your audience experiences first—something Instagram and TikTok have never truly prioritized.
Feed Freedom: Escape the Algorithm’s Grip
One of the biggest complaints about Instagram is its inconsistent algorithm, which buries posts, limits visibility, and forces creators to constantly adapt to trends just to stay relevant. Flashes, on the other hand, offers Feed Freedom, allowing artists to opt into feeds that actually matter to them.
Thanks to Bluesky’s open protocol, Flashes lets you discover content through interest-based feeds rather than algorithmic guesswork. If you want to see only digital painters, photographers, or sculptors, you can. No more fighting against arbitrary engagement metrics—your audience finds you because they genuinely care about your work.
A Community-Driven Future: Shaping What Comes Next
Flashes isn’t just built for artists—it’s being shaped by them. Unlike other platforms that roll out changes with little regard for their users, Flashes is still in its early stages, meaning that by embracing the app now, artists have a unique opportunity to help influence its development.
Upcoming features are still in the pipeline, but by actively using the platform, sharing work, and engaging with the community, creators can help mold Flashes into the ideal social media space for visual artists. Imagine a platform that actually listens to its user base—a space where artists have a say in how their work is showcased, discovered, and monetized.
Why Now? The Best Time to Join Flashes
New platforms live or die based on early adopters, and artists have a chance to get in on the ground floor. Instagram and other corporate-owned apps have repeatedly let down creatives with limited reach, over-commercialization, and an overreliance on video content at the expense of still images. Flashes, by contrast, is starting with the right foundation—a commitment to putting artists first.
By joining now, you’re not just uploading content—you’re actively contributing to what could become the best social media platform for artists, built by artists. The more we engage with Flashes today, the more influence we have over what it becomes tomorrow.
For once, a social media app is being shaped by the people who need it most. Let’s populate it, push its boundaries, and turn Flashes into the creative haven we’ve always wanted.
Artists to Follow on Flashes
To get started and see what the platform has to offer, here are some incredible artists worth following right away:
@artshow – A hub for showcasing diverse artistic talent and curated exhibitions.
@beautifulbizarre.net – A leading platform highlighting contemporary and surrealist artists.
@emilymcgovern – An illustrator and comic artist known for witty storytelling and unique character designs.
@nolongernetwork.com – A creative agency supporting indie artists and filmmakers.
@stuntmaenbob – A visual artist blending traditional and digital media with a cinematic flair.
@thatzkatz – A digital artist with a bold, expressive style.
These artists and curators are already making waves on Flashes, so give them a follow and explore how they’re using the platform to showcase their work!