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Everything you ever wondered about us but were
afraid to ask
The
GYPSY
The GYPSY was born in Topeka, Kansas in
1956. He exhibited his artistic talent at 18 months old when he drew a
picture of a cow on the inside cover of a coloring book. He never had
another color book after that time. His Mother, recognizing his natural
talent, kept him well supplied in crayons and newsprint paper. The GYPSY'S
Grandmother also recognized his early artistic abilities and at 6 years of
age enrolled him in art classes at Washburn University where he soon out
surpassed the other students in his class. His instructors moved him
quickly from beginner to intermediate classes and soon into an advanced
adult class where he was discovered by famed portrait artist Harry Roth.
Mr. Roth took The GYPSY under his wing and gave him private lessons for
the next 3 years. In 1964 The GYPSY won a City wide art contest with a
crayon and water color drawing of a space walk. This picture went on to
win first place for his age group in State competition and later in
National. It remained on display at the Smithsonian Institution from 1964
- 1965. It resides in the museum archives.
In 1974, while still in High
School, The GYPSY started doing freelance art for the Nazarene publishing
House in KCMO. That same year he started college courses for Forestry
& Wildlife Management. The GYPSY graduated from High School at
Mid-Term in 1976 and immediately was called for an interview from a major
greeting card company (at the time he was taking college classes for
Technical Illustration & Mechanical drafting). Turning down the
contract that the company offered The GYPSY stopped by a tattoo studio on
his way back home and he was hooked. He started his 18 month
apprenticeship the next day and the rest is history.
The GYPSY had
the first professional Tattoo Studio in St. Joseph, Missouri which opened
in 1977. He has also had studios in San Angelo, Midland, El Paso and
Abilene, Texas. All except El Paso being the first of their kind in those
cities. The GYPSY has had several careers in his life including Army
Enlistment, Psychiatric Nurse, Senior Zoo Keeper and Truck Driver all while still
maintaining numerous studios all under the Skin Art Creations name. In
1990 The GYPSY opened the first tattoo studio in the 4 State region of
Southeast Kansas, Southwest Missouri, Northeast Oklahoma & Northwest
Arkansas. In 1992 The GYPSY received formal training for advanced piercing
procedures and became the first professional piercer in the region.
In 1995 The GYPSY opened a second studio in Independence, Kansas which he
closed a year later due to lack of competent help. The Baxter Springs
Studio operated until Christmas Eve of 2002 when, due to lack of community
support and the overly liberal tattoo and piercing laws in Joplin,
Missouri ($50.00 and a blood test will get you a license), which has
caused the market to become flooded, the Baxter Springs studio was closed. The GYPSY reopened the Independence,
Kansas Studio in November of 2002 and now operates full time from there.
The GYPSY has won World wide recognition and numerous awards for his
artwork as well as being involved in community affairs and civic organizations.
The GYPSY is the first tattoo artist to ever run for a Political office
campaigning for a City Council seat in Baxter Springs, Kansas and is now
the Democratic Candidate for the District 12 Representative seat for the Kansas
House.
The GYPSY
has 1 Daughter, 4 Sons and 2 Granddaughters. He Married Debbie
George on July 4th, 1998 whom he met online in 1997.
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