Skinning a model is binding the verts to an animation skeleton. It has a very specific definition not related to texturing.

You might have some luck googling retexture/retexturing. Mostly all you need to know is how to use Photoshop. Bring in the existing texture on a layer and match the layout to that. Many tuts only focus on recoloring the existing texture.

If the already existing texture doesn't have much of a pattern, you may have some problems matching. You could use a different texture pattern with some varitiy and put it in the game to see what goes where.

As to the second option--finding an artist--you might perhaps try this very site's “paid work” section, at the following link, I believe:

https://www.gamedev.net/contractors/​

(With the caveat that it wasn't working for me when I tried it at time of posting; however, it may be working for you, or when you try it.)

You're right--I was hoping that the issue was transient, but it doesn't seem so. :/

Well, there are other sites that you might try! Perhaps look to TIGSource, or a dedicated site like Fiverr. (Others may have other and/or better suggestions!)