Barrett Fiser

Who are you and how did you get into tattooing?

My name is Barrett Fiser. I started tattooing at Inksmith & Rogers in Jacksonville, FL. I was teaching at a local college and working as a studio assistant for a local artist and had been getting tattooed as long as I could, mostly at Inksmith & Rogers. I had always been interested in tattooing and the history of American tattooing and later made friends with a few of the tattooers at Inksmith, was given an opportunity, and obviously took it. I did a pretty formal apprenticeship for a few years.

You work with Sailor Eddie now in Philadelphia, how did you arrive there?
I recently relocated to Philadelphia. I had been working at Kadillac Deuce in Northeast Philadelphia a few days a week, and at Sailor Eddie's shop (Bonnie & Clyde Tattoo) on Saturdays. Circumstances worked out so that I was able to move over to Eddie's full time. So now it's just Eddie and myself.

How has working with Eddie inspired your work?

Working with Sailor Eddie has really made concrete many theories of traditional tattooing. Line work, shading, and coloring in a traditional way, from Coleman, through Sailor Eddie (Sr.) & Eshter Evens, is a real living thing with Eddie.

Got an Eddie story?

Well.... I heard through tattooers who had been tattooed by Eddie in the past that he is very particular about letting him know you are a tattooer if and when you enter the door of his shop. I thought it was funny, but didn't take it too seriously. Maybe it was my first or second day there, some people came in the shop, looked around, and Eddie chats them up. It turns out one of them is a tattooer in Jersey or something. Well Eddie proceeded to give the guy this lecture about introducing himself, that it's the proper thing to do, and if the didn't, then Eddie considered it rude and unprofessional and asked him to leave. I can't do his intensity justice, but it was epic. 

How's the transition from Jacksonville to Philly been?
There's the obvious cultural differences between a relatively relaxed, Southern beach town, and a post industrial Northern city, so that sort of goes without saying. But in general, I've enjoyed my time in Philadelphia. One thing I've noticed about tattooing though is that there is a huge amount of 'house parties' going on here. It's disturbing mostly because it seems condoned by the public who would rather get a cheap tattoo over a quality tattoo. I do a lot of cover ups here in Philadelphia, much more than in Florida. I think the really strange part is how surprised my customers are when their tattoo comes out nice. Many of them come to 'see the light', that their house tattoo isn't worth it, no matter how much money they thought they were saving. 

What's worse: a hurricane or a blizzard?

I don't know. I haven't experienced any blizzards officially, but I do know that hurricanes can really do some damage. So for now, hurricanes. Final answer. 

Whose flash do you admire?

I like older flash, like Eddie & Esther Evens/Paul Rogers sets, Jonesy stuff, Grimm, Polito, Jensen, a lot of flash like that. More contemporary would be Spider Murphy flash, Mike Wilson, Nick Rodin, Robert Ryan, Steve Boltz, Jeremy Swed. There is so much good stuff going on. We (Eddie and I) have been working on original, hand drawn/colored flash for the shop. It's really satisfying, and a good lesson to draw designs with Eddie.

Who are some tattooers that interest you these days?

It might be easier to talk shops rather than tattooers. So.... Inksmith & Rogers, Electric, Smith St., Absolute Art, Kings Ave., Elm St., Rock of Ages, Saints & Sinners (Texas), Hot Stuff, Blackheart, Temple, Spider Murphys, Chicago Tattooing Company. That's not all, just all I can think of right now. 

What don't you get to tattoo enough of?

I just don't get enough of the standards: hearts, ribbons, birds, daggers, parrots, roses, etc.

What don't you want to tattoo?

I am okay with tattooing anything really, as long as the customer will listen to reason, and a professional opinion.

What's an ideal shop like to you?

An ideal shop is friendly, bright, and clean.

Where do you guest spot at? Is there somewhere in particular you'd like to guest at?

I sometimes guest spot in Florida, at Inksmith. Sometimes I'm over on the shore at Electric Tattoo in Bradley Beach, NJ. I would like to work a lot of places, mostly the shops I mentioned previously. 

Do you have a favorite tattoo from your own collection?

Not really. I like them all. 

Any last words? Shot outs?

Thanks to everyone that has helped me along the way, there are so many, and they should know who they are. And to anyone that has let me tattoo them. And to you reading this, thanks for your interest. 

-- Barrettfiser.com