About The Proper Bully

Zane Payton — Owner & Lead Artist, The Proper Bully Tattoo Society

I didn’t build this place from luck. I built it from the ground up; through mistakes, lessons, and a lot of fight. Tattooing became my anchor when everything else felt unstable. It taught me patience, discipline, and that art can be both a release and a responsibility.

The Proper Bully Tattoo Society was born from that journey out of struggle, recovery, and the decision to create something solid. I wanted a space where people could walk in and feel seen, where the focus was on respect, skill, and authenticity. This shop isn’t just about ink, it’s about transformation.

My work is personal. Every tattoo I do carries a piece of someone’s story, and I take that seriously. I’m not here to rush art or chase trends. I’m here to build something that lasts in the lines, the shading, and the connection between artist and client.

I’ve been through the kind of challenges that either break you or build you. And standing here now, surrounded by people who believe in this vision, I know why it all happened the way it did. The Proper Bully Tattoo Society is proof that you can start over, build better, and leave a mark that means something.

Every scar, every struggle…it all became the foundation for this.