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
Question What's the best way to preserve my tattoo during pregnancy? It runs from the top of my right hip, half way up my ribs and across my stomach almost to my belly button. I'm not pregnant yet but I want to take the precautions nessecary before we have a little one on the way.
Answer Stephanie,
To minimize damage to a tattoo during pregnancy follow these steps:
1. Upon learning that you are pregnant remove ALL body piercings immediately. The swelling of the body during pregnancy can have an adverse effect not only on the piercings but upon the skin.
2. Start a daily regiment of twice daily hot baths. Add baby oil to the bath and soak until the water cools massaging the areas where stretch marks occur. The hot water and baby oil helps to lift dead skin cells from the body. These dead cells contribute to stretch marks. Remember, don't make the water too hot, just comfortable.
3. Upon leaving the tub (make sure you always have someone to assist you in and out of the tub during your pregnancy), use either pure aloe vera gel or vitamin E on the skin to nourish the cells.
4. In the evenings while relaxing take that opprotunity to massage your stomach, breasts and thighs with a vitamin enriched lotion.
5. Observe proper nutrition during your pregnancy. Remember to take your daily vitamins, don't smoke and don't drink. Get plenty of rest.
I cannot guarantee that you will have no stretch marks but they will be greatly reduced. You may still have to look at a touchup of your tattoo six weeks after your pregnancy but it should really be nothing major for you to worry about. I have known several women that followed this regiment during their pregnancy and they had minimal indication of stretching afterwards.
I hope this has been of some help to you. If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.
Be sure to tune into my "BlogTalkRadio" Show "THE GYPSY'S ROUNDTABLE" Every Monday evening at 6:00pm CST. Check out our show schedule at http://blogtalkradio.com/ubtat2d
