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 am one of only 24 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
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
Question Hi,
I wonder if i can get a tatto to cover up a 10 cm long scar that i have on my stomach from an appendix removal operation. And if so, will it hurt very much?
Thank you in advance,
Robin
Answer Robin,
Yes, scars can be covered but it is a difficult and tedious process. Also, if the scar is raised there will be an indistinct area in the tattoo (where the scar is) that will be raised. Below is what is involved in covering a tattoo.
1. It is time consuming. Depending on the individual's skin or scar texture, a single line may require two or more passes with the needle before it takes.
2. It can be and often is more painful than the average tattoo. Scar tissue is very sensitive since the nerve endings are closer to the "new skin" (unless the nerve ends were destroyed when the damage occurred).
3. Once set within the scar or graft tissue black will stay. However, color will bleed or fade from the skin. There is always a slight possibility that the black may blot or run beneath the tissue, but if a very fine line is used this problem can be virtually eliminated.
4. I often recommend to my clients who wish to have their scar or graft tissue tattooed that they get a very small tattoo within the area first, as a test to determine if their skin will accept the pigment. Then, if all is well, the small tattoo can be covered or incorporated when the major artwork is applied.
5. Last but certainly not least, it is very important that the scar and/or graft tissue be at least one year old before tattooing is attempted (the older the scar, the better). Destroyed tissue takes a long time to heal, so the older the scar, the better it will take the pigment.
I hope this has been of some help to you. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.
