| Studio of the Month: Altered Images | |
| Part 1: Meet Dave and Peggy Sucher | |
I would like to introduce you to a new segment on this site - "Studio of the Month". Then I would like to introduce you to our first featured studio, Altered Images, and its owners, Dave and Peggy Sucher. I had the pleasure of visiting Altered Images last month and got to meet these wonderful people in person. Of course, I know I have seen them at tattoo conventions in the past, but really getting to talk to these people is all it takes to pull you in and you'll be hooked for life.
Dave Sucher started Altered Images in 1994 with 13 years of tattooing experience already under his belt. His history as a "journeyman machinist repairman" for General Foods also equipped him with the skills necessary for handling and repairing tattoo equipment. With visions of tattoos dancing in their heads, Altered Images soon became a reality.
One of the things that will really strike you about Dave and Peggy is just how down to earth they are. You will not find any attitude here. Dave has been awarded, published and honored for his outstanding work time and time again, but you will only see a man that loves what he does. Peggy is essentially the backbone that keeps the studio together during the most hectic times and can turn a simple idea into a masterpiece, but you will only see a woman with a personality as light as her dedication is strong. Dave and Peggy are also officers of the National Tattoo Association, which gives them the chance to rub elbows with other greats in the tattoo industry - but you will not hear them bragging about who they know. You will, however, hear them talk affectionately about each other and the people who have inspired them.
And Peggy's greatest influences? "I must say my greatest inspiration in life is my Mother. That little Kentuckian had more upstairs than most PhD's walking around. From her humble beginnings in the hills to her life on the farm in Indiana she showed by example how to handle life.... and death. Even in dying she taught me how to live. Dave has been my other inspiration. He has taught me what true, unhindered love can be... We met and six weeks later got married. That was 17 years ago. He is not afraid to take chances in life - that's what led us to Altered Images. He works hard for his dreams and he achieves them." (Continued on Page 2)
Next page > See the Studio > Page 1, 2
*Update*: Dave and Peggy Sucher no longer own or work at Altered Images. They moved to Hawaii and can now be found at Skin Deep Tattoo Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. I cannot personally vouch for the new owners or management.*
Approximately a year later, Peggy Sucher retired from her position at JCPenny to join forces with Dave. And not without a little encouragement from her mother, who died that year. Peggy says, "She made me promise not to return to my 'suit' job and to join Dave in the shop. Best thing that ever happened to me! I have a degree in design from Purdue University - amazing how I use it now!" Amazing, indeed! Peggy is hailed at the shop for her incredible drawing talent and creative genius. I was told that Peggy could turn any idea into a work of art and I don't doubt that at all.
"Dave's personal inspirations in life have been his parents--both blind from childhood", Peggy said. "His father ran a confectionery store in St. Genevieve, MO by himself. Dave said he saw by example what fortitude meant. And no story about Dave can be without the inspiration and support of Ray and Toni Youngman of Downers Grove Tattoo. Without them, Altered Images would not exist. They have been there to laugh with, to cry with, to rant and rave with. Their insights to the tattoo world have given us a real perspective on what we do."
