Tributes paid in memory of talented Blood Rush tattoo artist

Spencer Damon Allen, known as Spen, died aged 47 on February 1, leaving behind his friends, family, and a great many works of art on his loyal customers.

Spen ran Blood Rush Tattoo Studio on Clarence Road, and had been proud to tattoo many celebrity musicians and singers, including Anne Marie, Beanie from Rudimental, Mullally, Luke Burr, Raye, Molly Ashcroft, Jevon and many more.

He even had one of his legs dedicated to the signatures of his famous friends within the music industry.

Paying tribute to his friend, Matt Plater, 30, of Leighton Buzzard, said: “He was someone who customers could speak to without a judgemental ear, a warm and welcoming man who always made you feel at home.

“My favourite memories are the late night tattoo sessions, talking about future plans and knowing that I could be there for him in the times he needed me to be. And he was there when I needed him to be.”

Spen grew up in Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, and attended Houghton Regis Upper School before beginning a career in plumbing.

In 2012, he started training to become a tattoo artist, and opened Blood Rush Tattoo Studio in September 2013.

Matt added: “Spen enjoyed the feeling of completion after his art was on someone’s skin.

“He liked to recreate images to make them his own, and not just an image from Google, so his tattoos were unique.

“He wanted to start or help out with a charity supporting mental health and he was designing clothes and masks for Covid-19.

“He wanted to help people who were suffering with anxiety and depression.”

Before the lockdown, Spen had been busy advertising a ‘Covid Colon’ smiley face tattoo to raise awareness about mental health during the pandemic.