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Greasy long haired tattooed fellas ripping up and down Webster Street in front of our
house on old Harley’s, the smell of oil, gas, and stale beer......
Some of my first memories as a kid. I guess this might have set the tone for what was in
my future. I was always intrigued by what a lot would say was trouble in the 80s. The tattoos
are at the forefront. There was a culture that surrounded those things I described above and I
desperately wanted to be part of it.
I attempted to get an apprenticeship on a couple of occasions when I was 18, I didn’t
understand the privilege of an apprenticeship and the proper way to get one. Life went on, I
put it on the back burner. 11 years later I found myself in Burlington Iowa, where I managed to get an apprenticeship under a wonderful lady named Heather. She was pretty old school, she put
me through the wringer and respectfully laid the road for what I would make of myself. I can
never thank her enough for that. After a couple of years, I felt it was time to move on.
I found myself at a shop that had freshly opened its doors. Thirdeye Tattoo & Gallery,
owned by a cool cat named Joe. The way the place was set up blew my mind. Classy, artsy, etc. I learned a lot over the 12 years there, I watched artists come and go as well as hang
around. I started managing the joint a few years into it, I made a point of being a good
manager and a consistently evolving artist. Always asking questions and learning the tricks of
the trade. I continued to work at Thirdeye until the doors closed in the winter of 2023. Those experiences will always hold a place in my memories and work ethic.
Onto The Iron Quill Tattoo Parlor. I decided it was time to open my own place, I dove into it. I took everything I learned over the years and put it to work. Took me about 3
Months to remodel, and get everything approved to pass inspections, etc. I had my 1-year-old
(Ollie) by my side every day, he was one hell of a helper. My wife supported me the whole way
through and has backed me throughout my whole tattoo career, that’s one strong woman.
Thankfully over the years, I have built an amazing clientele and I’m extremely thankful for them
and all the new clients that stumble into my life. That's what keeps this train choo-ing. I
currently have a walk-in artist named Isaac and an apprentice starting in the spring of 2024.
Thank you for all your continued support, it's the heartbeat of the shop.
Shane ZeschTattoo Artist house on old Harley’s, the smell of oil, gas, and stale beer......
Some of my first memories as a kid. I guess this might have set the tone for what was in
my future. I was always intrigued by what a lot would say was trouble in the 80s. The tattoos
are at the forefront. There was a culture that surrounded those things I described above and I
desperately wanted to be part of it.
I attempted to get an apprenticeship on a couple of occasions when I was 18, I didn’t
understand the privilege of an apprenticeship and the proper way to get one. Life went on, I
put it on the back burner. 11 years later I found myself in Burlington Iowa, where I managed to get an apprenticeship under a wonderful lady named Heather. She was pretty old school, she put
me through the wringer and respectfully laid the road for what I would make of myself. I can
never thank her enough for that. After a couple of years, I felt it was time to move on.
I found myself at a shop that had freshly opened its doors. Thirdeye Tattoo & Gallery,
owned by a cool cat named Joe. The way the place was set up blew my mind. Classy, artsy, etc. I learned a lot over the 12 years there, I watched artists come and go as well as hang
around. I started managing the joint a few years into it, I made a point of being a good
manager and a consistently evolving artist. Always asking questions and learning the tricks of
the trade. I continued to work at Thirdeye until the doors closed in the winter of 2023. Those experiences will always hold a place in my memories and work ethic.
Onto The Iron Quill Tattoo Parlor. I decided it was time to open my own place, I dove into it. I took everything I learned over the years and put it to work. Took me about 3
Months to remodel, and get everything approved to pass inspections, etc. I had my 1-year-old
(Ollie) by my side every day, he was one hell of a helper. My wife supported me the whole way
through and has backed me throughout my whole tattoo career, that’s one strong woman.
Thankfully over the years, I have built an amazing clientele and I’m extremely thankful for them
and all the new clients that stumble into my life. That's what keeps this train choo-ing. I
currently have a walk-in artist named Isaac and an apprentice starting in the spring of 2024.
Thank you for all your continued support, it's the heartbeat of the shop.