Ravenna – Veteran. Proud Patriot. Family man. Businessman. These are all the titles that newest Ravenna merchant, Clint Marsh, falls under. On Saturday, March 30th War Horse Ink had the ribbon cutting at its second location with about 40 citizens in attendance.
Straight out of high school Marsh joined the army where he served his country for four years. He trained for the Airborne Infantry and was a soldier in the 75th Ranger Regiment serving in Iraq. The army is where he got his first tattoo. “It was exciting,” he said of sneaking out from his barracks one night to get a tattoo of infantry cross rifles.
When Marsh got back to the States he started looking for work and after having done tattoos for friends in the service he thought he might try his hand at a career in permeant art. He found an apprenticeship with a company in Cleveland and spent a few years learning the trade.
According to Clint’s father, Neal Marsh, “He has always been a self-starter.” So it came as no surprise when he wanted to open up his own business in 2016, the first of which is located in Kent, Ohio. “Love it. I am so proud of him,” said Neal. “He has a gift.”
A large part of that gift is due in part to his paternal grandmother, Judy. Fondly called ‘Grandma Jude,’ Marsh credits her for being the biggest influence on his artistic abilities. “She was a talented painter and artist,” he said recalling many youthful days spent learning from her. Neal Marsh said she (Grandma Jude) would be elated that Clint had opened his own business.
There was an atmosphere of joyfulness and delight as the event took place in what many commented to be one of the “classiest” tattoo shops they have been in. While shaking hands with Mayor Frank Seman, Marsh jokingly told “him first tattoo is on the house!” This got a huge grin from Seman who later expressed happiness at the benefits War Horse Ink has to offer the local business economy. “This is going to be a destination spot and people will come from other areas of northeast Ohio and when they will hopefully take time to shop at other merchant shops,” he said.
“People need to see the inside,” Seman said. “I think this is the classiest tattoo shop in the state.” The new location of War Horse Ink is at 269 West Main Street in what used to be a bank. Once you enter you see dark hard wood paneling and architecture with dark purple highlighting the openness of the employee work areas. Unique and colorful artwork and décor adorn the shop. A medieval knight, intriguing paintings, a skateboard, pirate memorabilia, a fish tank and a Home Alone photograph of Macaulay Culkin are just a few of the nuances Clint and his staff have added to make the space their own.
Samantha Coster is the General Manager and has been working for War Horse Ink for three years. She is proudest of the small touches and details that have been a part of creating the image the shop wants to portray. “We went all out,” she said point to the 3D graphic printed wood logos, created by her father, that decorate the interior woodwork.
Many individuals who are fans of War Horse Ink were getting tattoos as the event was going on. Among them was Kent State University junior psychology student, Kelsey Huff, age 21. She was having an elephant put on her leg to represent a connection she shares with her mother. “It’s pretty,” Huff said. “I’ve always wanted to get one. My Mom and I just love them and we want to go to Africa someday to see them.”
War Horse Ink is located at 269 West Main St., Ravenna, OH, 44266. Information can be found online at www.warhorseink.com.
