Tempra Collins

Synopsis

TAG’N HOGS - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE GYPSY: VOLUME ONE takes a look at a 12 year period from 1978 through 1990 in the life and career of award winning Tattoo Artist “The Gypsy.” This is an autobiographical tale telling of how an obscure struggling tattooist becomes world renown and the first tattoo artist to ever run for public office. The Gypsy relates his memoir using a series of interlocking short stories showing what it took for him to pursue his dream. He also challenges the reader to enter his oft times gritty and dangerous world and figure out what the dream truly is.

“People think that my dream is to tattoo and that is far from the truth,” The Gypsy has said. “I want people to understand the sacrifices that it takes to get to where I am today. Too many people, because of how TV and movies portray it, think that you just pick up a tattoo machine and ’Poof’ instant riches and fame.” The Gypsy went on to state that people are not willing to pour their sweat and blood into the art. “If just one person who reads my autobiography ’Gets It’ and figures out what the dream really is then I have earned my reward.”

TAG’N HOGS - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE GYPSY: VOLUME ONE is also illustrated by the author with stark reproductions of original water colors that reflect the authors often vivid and dark memories, The volume will also include never before published plates of the original tattoo flash art that The Gypsy used and created early in his career. This book is a must read for anyone that wants to know what the truth behind being a tattoo artist is or what it truly takes to be The Gypsy.

EXCERPT FROM TAG’N HOGS - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE GYPSY: VOLUME ONE; As I was finishing rinsing the hog shit from my clothes the yard foreman walked up with my pay. As he handed me the 3 $5.00 bills I said, “Thanks, see you next week.” He snorted sounding much like the hogs we had tagged that day and walked off. I watched him stop in the door way of the auction barn and say something to the kid. The kid shook his head, took the money the foreman offered and walked over to the trough where I was. “So Bud, we’ll see you next week I guess.” I said as he approached. “Nah, I won’t be back.” he said. “Oh, why not, don’t you like the taste of pig shit?” I chuckled. “I didn’t mind the work,” he said, “I just haven’t been able to get that little pig out of my head all day. I really need the money but I don’t want it if I have to hurt little animals.” I told the kid I could understand where he was coming from but that he should remember that jobs are hard to come by and besides the fate of all those pigs is the same, as someone’s breakfast. I bummed a cigarette from the kid and smoked it as the kid washed the day from his clothes. “Look Bud,” I said as I inhaled a drag of smoke, “I love animals and it bothered me too but I have a family to support and as much as I hate this I have to do something and I don’t have many options.” This kid who I had wrote off as dull witted then looked at me and said, “There’s always options.” I watched him walk away and sat by that trough finishing that cigarette and thinking to myself, “there’s always options.” I flicked the butt and walked back towards the auction barn. I stood a moment in the doorway of the barn looking into the dark, noisy, dank and foul smelling interior and muttered to myself, “there’s always options.” I turned and headed for home. I had a long walk ahead of me and a lot of thinking to do.