Classic Tattoos Make a Mark on St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG – Classic Tattoos on Central Avenue opened just three weeks ago, but co-owners Ryan Cullen and Mike Keller are no strangers to the local tattoo scene.

Keller has been a tattoo artist for ten years and Cullen about seven. Tattoo artist Steve Lanier, himself with nearly a decade of experience, also works out of the shop.

The co-owners founded Classic Tattoos four years ago in Pinellas Park on Park Avenue but decided to make the move to St. Pete earlier this year to be closer to their customer base. They do fully custom tattoos, and all three have extensive backgrounds in other art forms.

Classic Tattoos works mostly by appointment but walk-ins are welcome. The shop is bright, clean and reminiscent of a classic tattoo shop with old furniture, artifacts and hundreds of pictures from a wide range of styles, eras and genres.

The three artists each have distinctive personalities and styles; they have developed a word-of-mouth reputation for their artistry.

Cullen, originally from Largo, took a few minutes to answer some questions about Classic Tattoos:

Q. What was the primary reason to move to Central Avenue?

A. It's up and coming and we like the character of the building. It kind of fits our style. The combination of the downtown growing up and the shop, and [the fact that] a lot of our customers come from the downtown area.

Q. Who are your customers?

A. They range from 18 to 70, everybody.

Q. How did you build your name as a tattoo artists?

A. We've always done custom tattoos. We pretty much draw every tattoo for the customer. All three of us have art backgrounds and lately we've been into more traditional American tattooing. This shop is more like a history of tattooing, so I think that makes us more unique than any shop off the street.

Q. How did you learn the craft?

A. I got an apprenticeship with a guy in New Port Richey. For about three years I studied under him then I could do it on my own. It was a long process. I also took commercial art and studied liberal arts.

Q. How do you retain regular customers?

A. Giving them a good tattoo every time. They pretty much become good friends, talking to them and hearing stories and what's going on in their lives. They're more than just a customer, they become a friend.

Q. What are your long-term goals?

A. I think we'll stick with what we have here for now. We'll keep a more traditional street shop and see where our style takes it.

Q. Enjoy the work?

A. Oh yeah. I'd never do anything else.

Reach Classic Tattoos by phone at 727-823-2121, email them individually through their links or contact them through Facebook.