Meet Jeffrey Oelklaus | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeffrey Oelklaus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeffrey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
A tattoo shop has to have a memorable name that is fun to say. I came up with the concept for Bearded Lady Custom Tattoo Company long before I was ready to open it up. The location was secondary. I had my eye on a specific property for 10 years and watched the market for commercial real estate quite closely. I had the clientele to strike out on my own and the property would only be an asset. Having run shops since my apprenticeship the logistics were well within my skill set.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got into tattooing by trying to avoid it really. As a preteen the Tattoo Shop Grimms on Broadway in KCMO was just a hop skip and a jump from Clint’s Comics. They had old flash from all over in the foyer and I would stare at them for quite a while. One day they told me that… “If you are going to be out there. You may as well sweep the floor.” I complied and they asked me if I could draw. They had me combine a few flash designs into a new one. So I started drawing tattoos quite a bit. Wes Grimm offered me an apprenticeship when I was 17. I said no because I had just gotten into art school at KCAI. I attended there a few years Majoring in Ceramics but didn’t much care for academia. The next offer came from a part time tattooer who offered me another apprenticeship when I was 21. I said no because I was moving to Colorado. I was offered another apprenticeship when worked at VanBriggle Art Pottery as their potter,glazer, master mould maker, tile maker, and finally production manager. I achieved minor recognition for some designs during VanBriggle’s Centennial designing Art Nouveau influenced pottery gave me command of designing tattoos really. It was a real blend of the Orientalization period in Europe and the American Arts and Crafts Movement. I read voraciously so I learned as much as I could about everything. I can tattoo in any style but prefer freehand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My wife and I have recently taken up Plein air painting in oils. My favorite spot would be Red Rocks open space. If a friend were visiting I would definitely have to take them there. I also like mountain bikes and traditional archery. Cheyenne Mountain State Park has a 3D bow range and mountain bike trails. My friend would like the view of the mountains from my shop window while getting some work done. Afterwards, I dig Craft Beers from a lot of brewery’’s we would probably pick up some grub to grill and chill on my porch.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife Heather and daughter Cyan believed that I could open up the shop on my own from the get. I was apprehensive. Their help was key to turning a Used Car Lot into a Tattoo Studio. Without them I would have not taken the leap of faith.

Website: beardedladycustomtattoo.com

Instagram: @jeffrey_oelklaus

Facebook: Bearded Lady Custom Tattoo LLC

Yelp: Bearded Lady Custom Tattoo LLC

Image Credits
I miss spoke Clint’s comics is On Main. Grimms Tattoo is on Broadway in KCMO