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About The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can accept questions on proper tattooing and piercing procedures, including but not limited to, licensing, sterilization, studio promotion, safety, what to look for in an artist/studio, aftercare, apprenticeship, studio management and proper design/piercing placement. I can also rate artistic quality. We also can answer questions on tattoo/piercing resources, ie; books, videos, studios and artists/piercers. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION: I will NOT answer "How To" questions. If you want to know how to tattoo or pierce do the right thing and seek out a formal apprenticeship. Tattooing and piercing are not a "Learn On Your Own" professions. ALSO: Please DO NOT ask me about tattoo or piercing prices. Rates vary from region to region. You will need to check with studios in your area for their current rates.

Experience
I was appointed By Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson in September 2009 to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. I represent Body Art Studios and Artists on the board for the State of Kansas. I am one of only 27 people worldwide certified as a "Master Tattoo Artist" by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. I have been in the Body Art Business since 1976. I apprenticed as a Tattoo Artist under Gene Grimm of Grimm's Tattoo Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. I took formal classes in Micro-Dermal Implantation (Permanent Cosmetics) in 1990. I had formal Body Piercing Training in 1992.

Organizations
Alliance Of Professional Tattooists and Kansas State Board of Cosmetology

Publications
"STANDARD PERIODICAL" FEBRUARY 1974 "TEEN TODAY" MARCH 1974 "ABILENE MAGAZINE" JUNE 1981 "SCOUT JAMBOREE PROGRAM" NOVEMBER 1981 "PRONGHORN PRESS" DECEMBER 1981, FEBRUARY 1982, MARCH 1983, MAY 1983 "ENEWS" JUNE 1983, JUNE 1986 "EL PASO SUN TIMES" OCTOBER 1985 "BAXTER CITIZEN" AUGUST 1992 "TATTOO" OCTOBER 1992 "TATTOO" MARCH 1993 "BAXTER CITIZEN" JUNE 1993 "SKIN & INK" APRIL 1994 "PARSONS TIMES" APRIL 1995 "CROSSROADS" SPRING 1995 "PITTSBURG SUN" APRIL 1995, APRIL 1996 & APRIL 1997 "JOPLIN GLOBE" OCTOBER 1996 "ASC TATTOO DIRECTORY" 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 "AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS" JANUARY 1999 "EASYRIDER MAGAZINE" OCTOBER 2001 "HISTORY OF TATTOOING IN AMERICA" "A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TATTOOING" Please visit http://ubtat2d.com/new.html To View A Complete List Of Other Media That I Have Been Featured In.

Education/Credentials
West Platte High School - Weston, Missouri United States Department of Agriculture: Forestry and Wildlife Management - Nemo, South Dakota Platte College (in conjunction with Kansas City Art Institute): Technical Illustration and Mechanical Drafting - St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri Grimms Tattoo Studio: Tattoo Apprenticeship - Kansas City, Missouri Missouri Department of Mental Health: Psychiatric Technician - St. Joseph, Missouri Conch Career Institute: CDL Training - San Angelo, Texas Institute of Micro-Dermal Implantation: Permanent Cosmetic Technician - Kansas City, Kansas Sir Fredrick's School of Body Piercing: Body Piercer Trainee - Gladstone, Missouri

Awards and Honors
SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1993, "BEST BLACK & GREY TATTOO" SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1993, "BEST OVER-ALL TATTOO MALE" TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1993, "BEST OVER-ALL TATTOO - MALE" TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1993, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR PARTICIPATION THE GATHERING PLACE - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR ARTISTIC TALENT LION'S CLUB INTERNATIONAL - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AS GUEST SPEAKER SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1994, "BEST TRADITIONAL TATTOO" TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR PARTICIPATION STURGINK - 1995, 2ND PLACE "BEST COLOR TATTOO" STURGINK - 1995, 3RD PLACE "BEST TATTOO OF STURGIS" HAWG HAWLER - 1996, 2ND PLACE "BEST TATTOOS" SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1997, "BEST FRONT PANEL" 25th ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONVENTION - 1/19/2001, 2nd PLACE "BEST TATTOO OF THE DAY" ABATE OF TULSA MOTORCYCLE & TATTOO SHOW - MARCH 2002, 1st PLACE "BEST PATRIOTIC TATTOO" ABATE OF TULSA MOTORCYCLE & TATTOO SHOW - MARCH 2002, 3rd PLACE "MOST REALISTIC TATTOO" BIKER DAYS IN THE OSAGE - SEPTEMBER 2007, "BEST TATTOO OF SHOW" APT TATTOO MASTERY TEST - JULY 2008, "CERTIFICATE OF TATTOO MASTERY" MAYFIT - MAY 2009, "BEST TATTOO OF SHOW"

Past/Present Clients
I tattoo/pierce over 1200 people per year. Multiply that by 31 years and I have tattooed and/or pierced approx. 37,200 people.

The GYPSY founder of Skin Art Creations Tattoo Emporium® is a State of Kansas licensed Tattoo & Piercing Artist & Trainer and has been in the Tattoo & Piercing Industry since 1976. He is a Professional Member of APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooist), and has taken and passed the APT Tattoo Mastery Test. His formal art training and experience has helped him win numerous awards both Nationally and Internationally. The GYPSY's art has been exhibited in museums World wide, including the Smithsonian. He has also appeared on television, documentaries, albums, radio talk shows and in numerous magazines. Along with his Wife Debbie they have developed and maintained numerous projects including resource and shopping sites. WE INVITE YOU TO VIST THESE SITES: www.ubtat2d.com - www.ablazable.com - www.emerald-city.us - www.sekpress.net - www.freaky-links.com and www.pluribusunum.net

   

You are here:  Experts > Style > Tattoo/Body Piercing > Tattoos

SubjectDate AskedExpert

Tattoo business plans11/8/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I'm writing a business plan on a tattoo shop, besides interviews do you know where I can obtain ...
  A: Damario, Start with http://www.safe-tattoos.com That is the official website for the Alliance of ...
what do i do if a tattoo artist keeps moving?11/5/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I want to go to a specific artist for my second tattoo, but it seems that every six months or so she ...
  A: Ashley, Interesting question. It has been my experience that when a tattooist constantly changes ...
Long Term Care: can massage affect my tattoo?10/27/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I was thinking of getting a professional massage (possibly on a continuing basis) and was wondering ...
  A: Julie, As long as the tattoo is healed you should have no concern about damage from massage ...
Is A Licence Required10/25/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I have search on line and can not find the answer. If you wish to become a Tattoo Artist, is a ...
  A: Cynthia, The answer to your question is "YES" you need a license or you are in violation of the ...
Hand Tattoo10/24/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I have just got a tattoo on my hand above my pinky finger and the bone of my wrist by a place called ...
  A: Lynsay, Tattoos below the wrist do not last but they should be visible for a while at least, if ...
becoming a tattoo artist10/23/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I was wondering if you could tell how i could become a tattoo artist. Where i could go to school for ...
  A: TJ, What you should do first is try to find an apprenticeship with a qualified tattoo artist or ...
Tattoo after Laser Removal.10/21/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I had about 12 sessions of Tattoo Laser removal performed about 4 years ago. The tattoo was quite ...
  A: Cheryl, You are proof of what I have said for years: "Nothing is forever except, God, Diamonds, ...
Ink Rejection10/20/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I got my tattoo on Thursday and it is now Tuesday and all of the ink is completely gone. The blood ...
  A: Tara, To outline with color is not the proper thing to do, especially with a light color like pink. ...
Allergy10/19/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I just got my 7th tattoo on my fore arm. It is a huge black wrap-around bracelet, and it seems that ...
  A: Anais, You do not need to get your tattoo removed! All you have to do is stop using any creams, ...
Collar bone tattoo?10/17/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I've been thinking about getting another tattoo for a while now. The design is one a close friend of ...
  A: Ashley, People's tolerance for pain varies from person to person. What might be painful for one may ...
tattoo discolouration10/15/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I got an all black tattoo in the middle of my back exactly 10 days ago. since then it has formed a ...
  A: Laechelle, Usually what causes this is one of two things. Either the tattooist did not work the ...
NOSE PIERCING BLEEDING10/14/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I HAD MY NOSE PIERCED FOR THE 3RD TIME IN THE LAST MAYBE 7 YEARS SAME SIDE NEW HOLE , HOWEVER THIS ...
  A: Wendy, First and foremost stop using the sea salt. Salt eats the skin and is not good for piercing ...
i think my tattoo is too dry10/13/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: i got a pirate flag on my calf 6 days ago ive been using a%26d ointment until two days ago. i cant ...
  A: Jon, It sounds like you have a layer of dead skin over the tattoo. If it has no more scabbing you ...
tattoo over skin graft10/12/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: i have a scar on the side of my arm wrapping around the under side of my wrist.it is from skin ...
  A: Jess, Any skilled, qualified, licensed and experienced tattooist should be able to cover your scar ...
custom ethics help!!!10/11/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I am getting a new tattoo in a few weeks and i need some advice. the tats i have gotten in the past ...
  A: Susie, When you pick a design from a Tattoo Flash Design Sheet the tattooist is copying something. ...
Shirt10/10/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I'm going to go get my first tat in a few days. Its on my upper arm. I have some scars on my chest ...
  A: Jackie, With a tattoo located on the upper arm I see no reason whatsoever for you to have to remove ...
Itchy rash on a 3 month old tatto10/9/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I have this really itchy rash just in one certain area of my newest tattoo. I think they are hives, ...
  A: Jennifer, You may be having an allergic reaction to that particular pigment but without seeing the ...
peeling around the tattoo10/8/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I have gotten a tattoo that is on the majority of my foot and goes upward a little on my ankle. my ...
  A: Daphne, It sounds like you may have a dead skin build up around and maybe even on the tattoo. Start ...
New Foot Tat10/8/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: So, i wanna make it clear, i totally am NOT questioning the professionalism or ability of the artist ...
  A: Tiffany- It is always good to talk to your tattoo artist in person as s/he is on the spot and can ...
Massive Tattoo Ink Loss and Soft Scabs and Possible Repair10/5/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: Hey i recently have gotten 2 red and black nautical starz on my shoulders and i already understand ...
  A: Donald- It isn't uncommon for for scabs to cause ink loss. I'd be careful not to pick it and if ...
redness and swelling10/5/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I had a tattoo done on my leg 7 days ago. First there was yellowish stuff, now it is dry but very ...
  A: Cyndi, YES! IMMEDIATELY! You are describing a severe infection. With the risk of MRSA, Staph and ...
tattoo licence10/4/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: how do I get a tattoo licence in New York State?
  A: Amy- There is no standard licensing in the United States, each local health department has its owm ...
Crooked lettering... too small?10/3/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I got my geek tattoo done about 3 weeks ago. I got it done at a well-known shop from an artist with ...
  A: Ryan, The tattooist told you the truth, that is probably about as small as the numbers can go, any ...
cross contamination for tattoos and peircings10/2/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: 1.What is cross contamination 2.What do you do if you cross contaminate something Thanks for youe ...
  A: Michelle- Cross-contamination is the physical movement or transfer of potentially harmful bacteria ...
just getting started10/1/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I just got a starter kit to begin learning. I plan on practicing on pig skin etc. before getting ...
  A: Carolyn- I'm glad you wrote to get assistance, unfortunately, I'm not able to help with actual ...
Black ink swelling10/1/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: why is the blank ink in my ten year old tattoo? Just out of the blue sometimes I will reach to ...
  A: Chris, It is possible for impurities in old tattoo pigment to work their way to the surface after ...
Raised Tattoo9/29/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I got a tattoo of an outline of a horse on the inside of my foot on July 26. It looked terrible so I ...
  A: Chelsea, If it is that badly scarred you should wait at least 60 days before getting it fixed. ...
covering rosacea9/28/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: i would like to know if i can cover my rosacea with skin color ink close to my complexion? i have ...
  A: Nick, It is never advisable to tattoo over any skin condition as it can cause complications such as ...
Tattoo Healing9/25/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I got a tattoo 4 days ago and it is healing nicely (still tender, but has a light "crust" all over ...
  A: MJ- I actually prefer not using A&D ointment. I'd recommend using cocoa butter or unscented ...
bumps9/25/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: okay recently i got a foot piece done my first color tattoo and there are bumps where the artist put ...
  A: Kacey, It sounds like you may have had an allergic reaction to whatever healing compound you are ...
minor tattoo correction9/24/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I recently got a tattoo as an homage to my late dad. I realized just today that instead of the ...
  A: Megan, I looked at the tattoo and I would say that a skilled, qualified, experienced tattooist ...
tatoo licensing9/24/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: im a 36 year old male interested in obtaining a full license i have been doing some tatoos on ...
  A: Neil- There is no standard licensing in the United States (where I am), nor do I think there is one ...
Light tattoos9/23/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I was thinking of getting a white tattoo but I've heard of too many complications and faliures with ...
  A: Kelsy- The only real failure of white is that dose not actually look white. All tattoos are seen ...
Virgin/Tiger/Lily9/23/2009The GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer
  Q: I don't have any tattoos yet and I never thought about getting one until recelty but I was thinking ...
  A: Laura, This is a question that can be answered by no one but you. You are the only one that can ...
Nickel allergy8/19/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I have a definite allergy to nickel (even needed fillings and dental work replaced) but am obsessed ...
  A: Cindy- I don't think there is nickel in most (or any) tattoo ink, but reds are most likely to cause ...
spreading bumps on healed tattoo8/18/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I have a sleeve on my right arm. i haven't had any work done on it in at least a year. 2 months ago ...
  A: Korey- It seems highly unlikely that a year healed tattoo will suddenly be giving you trouble all ...
tattoo bumps8/17/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I have multiple tattoos on my arm but one in particular has bumps on it. it is on my forearm it ...
  A: Steven- First, stop using any lotion or ointment on the tattoo. It maybe a minor ink reaction or ...
Cosmetic Lip Tattoo?8/16/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I have a few questions about getting a cosmetic lip tattoo. How old do you have to be, with & ...
  A: Vika- In most states you have to be 18 years old to have any tattooing done, cosmetic or ...
Safe Inks, Sun effects8/15/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: I have been considering getting a large design of mine done, about 4 inches wide, eight inches long, ...
  A: Dorian- I'd say no deep massage for about 2-3 weeks after getting tattooed, until it is totally ...
Tattoo8/14/2009Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist
  Q: im jeff. I want to get a tattoo on my back to cover up the scar tissue that i have. When i was ...
  A: Jeff- I actually specialize in covering scars with tattoos. Yes, you can cover most scars with ...

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