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A different kind of artist in the McCook Creative District
McCOOK Neb. - With the recent designation of McCook’s Creative District, visitors to McCook will likely seek out the galleries and the Art Guild to take in the community’s creativity. But one would be remiss not to visit the local tattoo shop adorned with art for viewing and sale, not just tattoos.
One such tattoo shop is The Clever Fox, a unique establishment owned by the talented Adam Hajek, who has dedicated over half his life to tattooing. Hajek, a transplant from Dallas, found his haven in McCook about 11 years ago, seeking a slower pace of life. He reflects, ‘I found it; it’s amazing.’ He brought his art to the community, opening The Clever Fox about eight years ago.
The stigma surrounding tattoos has lessened over recent years. Hajek says, “I’ve never tattooed more nurses, doctors, and professionals than I have in the past five years.” As for tattoo artists, Hajec says, “We’re like the outcasts of the art community. We don’t really fit in anywhere with anyone. That’s how tattooing has always been, a separate forum altogether.” But he says he has a lot of friends who are artists.
Even with a thriving business, Hajec describes himself as barely an adult, more commonly described by others as a wild, eccentric artist. While he has two apprentices, he is their mentor, not their boss. He may pay the bills, but he says they are independent artists paying booth rent.
To become a tattoo artist, you have to be an artist first. To get an apprenticeship, he says, “You have to show up with an art portfolio that’s good enough that they’ll accept you.” The apprenticeship is typically two years. Hajek stayed with his mentor for nearly ten years.
Licensing is a different story, a sore subject for Hajek. He says that Nebraska state law only requires you to pass a 50-question test before getting your license, regardless of your proven ability to do a tattoo. There are no requirements to be an apprentice or to have any training hours. “I’d prefer you go through an apprenticeship and get trained to do it right. “ Hajek says, adding, “It amazes me that you must have 1,500 hours of knowledge to cut hair, but you can just get a tattoo license overnight.”
With 20 years of rich experience in the business, Hajek has witnessed the dynamic evolution within the tattooing landscape. Embracing cutting-edge technology like iPads for design conceptualization, he seamlessly adapts to modern advancements, enhancing the creative process for both artist and client alike.
The Clever Fox Tattoo and Body Piercing is located at 107 Norris Avenue in McCook, Nebraska, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.