AboutThe GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer 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
First, I'd like to ask you if you could recommend a shop near the Hampton Roads area of VA. I'm sure you're probably not familiar with every area in the US, but I thought I'd give it a shot! I don't mind traveling a few hours. I've had a few things done by artists that came highly recommended by friends, but I honestly haven't been too impressed with the work. I'm planning a large piece and I'd really love to find a talented artist that can handle the work.
Secondly - I recently had something done on my foot. It's been about 6 weeks now. Everything has heeled wonderfully EXCEPT the red. I did a little online searching to see if certain colors took longer to heal (this is my first colored tattoo). I just kept finding information on allergic reactions to red ink. I'm really disappointed that I could be having a reaction to the ink - the red in the tattoo is on an awareness ribbon, and losing the red color means losing the meaning. I found some information on an organic red ink that can be used instead of the common ones that are metal-based. Have you had any experience with these?
Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it!
Answer Jamie,
The organic pigments do not last and if you have allergies to plants or animals they are ill advised. Unfortunately though red reactions are rare but possible there is not much that can be done about it. In the same way that the body rejects a splinter it will also reject the red pigment. It could take up to 5 years for the reaction to pass.
As for studios in the region you are asking about I am not familiar with any in that area. What I would advise is that instead of taking the recommendations of friends do a little foot work. Visit studios in your area, talk with the artists, look at photos of their work and ask the right questions. For a list of proper questions to ask when looking for a studio please visit http://www.ubtat2d.com/faq.html
I hope this has been of some help to you. If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.
