The Eureka Business district recently welcomed Arron MacKeogh’s Eureka Tattoo Company - Ink’s Tattoos Piercing and More to Main Street.
MacKeogh brings nearly 40 years of tattooing experience to the community. Over his career, MacKeogh has obtained licensing in nine states and also stood on the committee which aided in development of laws pertaining to the trade for Kansas. He was the 27th individual to receive a tattoo license in the State of Kansas.
MacKeogh, who began tattooing at the age of 17, knew early in life what career path he wanted to follow. At the age of 6, his interest in tattooing was sparked and grew into a career as a multimedia artist. Inspired by a family of artists, MacKeogh shared that his grandmother was a talented painter and two of his uncles and one aunt were tattoo artists. This love of art was passed to the next generation. Not only did MacKeogh inherit their love of art, one of his cousins also took interest in tattooing.
MacKeogh and wife Terri, moved to Eureka in September 2023. The Kansas native, who was born in Hutchinson and raised in Overland Park, returned to the state after residing in Omaha, Neb., to tackle the restoration of one of the oldest houses in Eureka. When asked what brought them to Eureka, MacKeogh explained that his in-laws owned the Grasselli House, located on West Third Street.
When the large home became too much for his inlaws to maintain, MacKeogh and his wife put their house on the market. He noted they had planned to retire to the area and this had simply expedited their move. When the MacKeoghs’ house sold after being on the market for only four days, the couple had a short 30-days to relocate, packing their home and business of 22-years. After helping his in-laws pack and relocate to be close to his sister in-law, focus turned towards making needed changes to the space that would soon serve as MacKeogh’s tattoo shop and restoration of their historic home. MacKeogh explained that the Grasselli House is one of 16 homes on the list of places to see in Eureka and its history includes serving as a small pox hospital, railroad manor, rectory and dentist office.
As the MacKeoghs transitioned to Eureka, changes to the building, which now houses his multimedia work, were needed. Adjustments in flooring, walls and décor were made to convert the space for tattoo and piercing work.
When asked if he had a favorite subject to tattoo or if he had a favorite tattoo he has completed, MacKeogh stated that he enjoys doing different styles as it rounds out an artist to be able to do so. MacKeogh added that he enjoys making custom designs and specializes in coverups and reworks. “I like to take those and make them beautiful,” shared MacKeogh.
As he explained that living tattooed is living as a piece of art, MacKeogh stated, “I have lived quite a life and my tattoos have meaning and tell a story; all hold meaning for me.”
Similar to his tattoos, the walls of the tattoo shop tell a story. Donning the Scottish flag to reflect MacKeogh’s family heritage, the walls of Ink’s Tattoos Piercing and More also feature an assortment of memorabilia and awards representing the history of his career and life.
Not only is the Military Veteran, who served three years in the United States Army, licensed in 9 states, but he also did tattoos while stationed in Korea. MacKeogh’s career has included time as an instructor, teaching transmission and sterilization courses for the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
His background includes certifications and licensing in other fields, including EMS training and a Nurse Technician license.
In reference to those who may be leery that a professional tattoo artist would come to a small town, MacKeogh stated that this is his passion and what he has done for essentially 40 years. He continued to note that he has clients coming from Omaha, Neb. to get tattooed and stated he wanted to see the town prosper and is going to bring in revenue to the community.
In regards to the “And more” in his business title, MacKeogh explained that this references all he does as a multimedia artist. In addition to tattoos and piercing, MacKeogh draws, paints, sculpts, has done stone carving, leather work, custom knives, wood and metal work and sewing. The multimedia artist also shared one of his works in operation, a cigar box guitar that he designed and constructed himself, including carving details on the neck and installation of the electronics in the instrument. Two of his guitars are included in a display with the St. Louis Blues Museum.
Ink’s Tattoos Piercing and More is located at 102 N. Main Street, the former Branding Pot building. MacKeogh can be contacted at 402-213-0075 to book an appointment.
Additional information and photos of his art can be found on Inks Tattoo Piercing and More FaceBook and Instagram pages.
