Interview by William Thidemann Photos courtesy of RedLetter1
From the January 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine
Painting by Jeff Srsic
Tattoo by Jeff Srsic
Tattoo by Angelo Nales
In the time since our interview with Phil Holt, there have been many things
going on at RedLetter1. Holt has joined Grime's Skull & Sword team in San
Francisco (previously known as Primal Urge), but with the help of his business
partner Jeff Srsic and the rest of the group RedLetter1 is still alive and kicking.
We’re glad because it would be a huge loss to the area and a horrible loss of a
great source of inspiration. Since its opening, RedLetter1 has been a world class
studio—from the artists that work there to its art shows—this studio makes its
presence known. Now that Holt is out west, it's a great time to talk with Srsic to
find out what is new and what is in the future for this great shop.
Thidemann: How long has
RedLetter1 been around?
Srsic: RedLetter1 was opened by Phil Holt
in June of 2005, after he had been working
at Blue Devil Tattoo in Tampa. I believe he
was originally going to open the shop on
his own, but he brought on board a long
time friend, Angelo Nales. The idea behind
it was more of a private studio with the
occasional gallery shows rather than a full
fledged walk-in tattoo studio.
How did you come to be a part
owner?
When I decided to move to Florida, I also
wanted to make the transition to an all
custom shop. I was already well aware of
Phil's work and what he was doing with
RedLetter1, so I thought it would be a
good opportunity to ask for a job.We hit
it off almost immediately, and I got hired
on a semi-trial basis just to see if things
would work out.The shop had only been
open for a few months so there wasn't a
lot of traffic coming through the doors. It
was quite a struggle at first, but I eventually
built a clientele and decided to stay.As
far as becoming part owner that took
place April of 2007.
Phil got a job opportunity to work at
Skull & Sword in San Francisco, so for a
while the future of RedLetter1 was looking
pretty uncertain. Phil wasn't really into
the idea of running a shop in Florida from
California, but he also didn’t want to close
it down. There had been way too much
work that went into the shop to just let
the doors close. After a lot of thinking I
decided to buy into the business along
with Lucky Mathews formerly of Blue
Devil Tattoo. It really works out great for everyone.
Phil is still in charge of setting up the art shows and
Lucky and I handle the tattoo shop. Phil also makes
trips back to Florida to tattoo his regular clients
which often coincide with the art shows.
RedLetter1 crew
Tattoo by Phil Holt
Tattoo by Jeff Srsic
How often is Phil in town and how does
his working at Skull & Sword affect the
rest of the shop?
He'll be coming back to RedLetter1 for all of the art
shows which is usually about three to four times per
year. The affect he will personally have on the shop
because of Skull & Sword will be great. I made a trip
to San Francisco recently to visit Phil and check out
Skull & Sword for the first time. I was completely
blown away by the work all of those guys are doing
and really inspired to work harder. Overall, Skull &
Sword will be a direct link of inspiration through
Phil. He has always traveled a lot anyway, so I don’t
think his absence will affect us negatively.
Who works at the shop? Where are they
from and how long have they been tattooing?
Angelo Nales, who was around when the shop first
opened, has been tattooing for about nine years and
is originally from Florida. Lucky Mathews has been
tattooing for 11 years and has spent the majority of
his career in Florida mostly working at Blue Devil
Tattoo. I was born in Pittsburgh but grew up in
Virginia and spent most of my time working at different
shops in Virginia. I'm going on my 14th year of
tattooing. Phil has been tattooing for about 10 years
and is originally from Minnesota.
Tattoo by Jeff Srsic
Tattoo by Lucky Mathews
Tattoo by Angelo Nales
What type of work does everyone do?
Lucky is a really traditional tattooer, and is the only
artist at the shop that I believe has locked in to a
particular style. Phil’s work has a very distinct look
to it but I wouldn't call it any particular style. I really
think he has his own thing going on and that is
what attracted me to the shop in the first place.
Everyone there works hard to make good tattoos
and to make our clients happy.
What kind of shop is it? Is it all custom
or do you do walk-ins too?
It's an all custom shop but on occasion we do get
a few walk-ins. The shop is tucked away on the second
floor so we don't get a lot of foot traffic. Most
of the walk-ins are due to the art shows. We have
a lot of people that come in to view the art that
had no idea we were a tattoo shop as well.
RedLetter1 seems to represent a progressive
type of shop, not just tattoos
but keeping current with art shows and
other projects. Do you see the shop as
having a particular direction?
I'd like to see us continue on the same path. From
day one of the shop opening there was a clear goal
to make good tattoos and show great artwork
from artists around the world. With the crew that
we have on board and upcoming art shows, I see
things only getting better.
Tattoo by Angelo Nales
Tattoo by Lucky Mathews
Tattoo by Lucky Mathews
Does everyone at the shop paint? Is it all
tattoo related?
Everyone paints and everyone that works at the
shop is expected to produce artwork on a regular
basis other than just tattooing. Some of the work
is tattoo influenced, but we all have different mediums
that we explore. Lucky is a sign painter and he
paints a lot of classic signs. His knowledge and
technique of sign painting really shows in his tattoo
work. He's very precise and pulls these long lines
that look flawless. One
medium always will
help you in another.
That's why we feel it's
important to stay busy
and work in mediums
other than tattooing.
Where do you see
the shop and
yourself in five
years?
That's a tough one to
call. Five years ago I
couldn't have ever
have imagined being in
the situation I am in
now. The shop and
environment that we
work in is amazing. I
wouldn’t trade it for
anything at this point.
I'd like to see us all
grow as artists and
take everything that
we have and make it
better.
Any last words?
Thanks to our families, friends, and clients that have supported us over the years.
RedLetter1
1510 E. 8th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 241-2435
