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. 

DEBBIE GEORGE

Debra Peck was born in Lancashire, England in 1957 and spent her early years in the Detroit, Michigan metro area. In 1977 Debbie joined the US Army and traveled overseas visiting Germany, Spain and Switzerland. Upon receiving her honorable discharge Debbie settled in the Dallas Metroplex area of Texas where she had family. Later moving to Norfolk, Virginia and then to Austin, Texas. In 1992 Debbie moved back to Dallas, Texas to be near family.

In November of 1997 Debbie found an online profile of The GYPSY and wrote to him. On New Years Eve of 1997 Debbie and The GYPSY met in person for the first time and two weeks later Debbie moved to Kansas where she took over Management of Skin Art Creations. July 4th, 1998 Debbie married The GYPSY at Eagles Landing outside of Coronado's Camp, Texas. In October of 2001 Debbie and The GYPSY opened Spunky's Tavern of Baxter Springs, named after her Dog of 14 years who had passed away the previous October.

Debbie continued to manage the Tavern, until it was forced to close due to the illegal actions of the City Government aimed at the business.

Debbie is very involved in all aspects of Skin Art Creations including the website development. Debbie currently works full time for Amazon.Com and keeps active with numerous other projects.

Debbie has twin boys, a daughter and Granddaughter.

HALEY ANNE SUTTON

Haley tells her own story:

I’m Tattooing!!!!

That's right fuckers. I finally did my first tattoo.....on myself. I was nervous as hell I'm not gonna lie... but only because I had two cameras on me while I was trying to do it. Gypsy called the damn newspaper in to run a story about it and of course his gay ass had to video tape the thing to put it on www.youtube.com ridiculous. Charlee helped me stretch my skin cause of course I had to be difficult and tattoo on my forearm, WTF!!! If anyone is brave enough I start taking appointments now. I need 50 procedures to get my license so if you want to get a tat let me know. Thanks to everyone that helped me get to where I am. Especially Charlee and Tanner and Susie, I couldn't have done it without you guys. Later betches.... suck it!

-Haley AKA; Rocky- 

The GYPSY occasionally will take an apprentice for tattooing or piercing training. Some succeed some do not. Below are prior students of the SACTE Apprenticeship Program.

• Gerald Moiser

• Bubba Schmitt

• J. R. Smith

• Penny Frogg

• Mike Dennman

• Dale Ross

• Lyle Peterson

• Carlos Ransom

• Damien Hayes

• Anna Little

• Steve Lewis

• Jason Greenfield

• Christina Samways

• Stephanie Velucci

• Haley Anne Sutton

Most of the above people have gone on to professional tattooing & piercing careers of their own. We salute those listed that have contributed to the art and have benefited from the training they were given.

Those that have not did not have the proper aptitude for the art and a couple of those listed abused what was given to them and corrupted the gift. Those people did not deserve the training they received and fortunately will not remain in this business very long.

You cannot violate professional ethics or do poor work on people and expect to stay in this business. The tattoo or piercing artist is there for one reason..... You! 

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