LA Ink is based on the tattoo artist Kat Von D. She was on Miami Ink for two seasons but she returned home to LA and bought her own shop, High Voltage Tattoo. Kat is a talented artist and specializes in portraits but she clashed with Ami James and never felt at home in Miami. Kat is only 25 and has already made a name for herself in the industry. “My parents are from Argentina. They were both missionaries for the church, bringing them to Monterey, Mexico, where I was born," said Kat, "My sister and brother were born there too. In 1986, when I was four, we moved to Southern California where I was raised. I consider LA my home.”
The story of how she got into tattoos is as interesting as she is. “Once I was 12, I started hanging with the "wrong" crowd. Many of these punk rock kids had tattoos and that always interested me. I did my first tattoo at the age of 14 and once I turned 16, got hired at a professional tattoo shop. There I had to unlearn a lot of things I would have known had I had a traditional apprenticeship.”
I envy her and how great she makes all her tattoos look, I don’t know a woman that can have all those tattoos and still look great. When she’s 60, it’s going to be different though. She has said “My fave tattoo that I have are the stars on my left temple (that includes the stars on my left eye lid). “ The stars represent the Motley Crue song “Starry Eyes.”
The show made its premiere this year but has already tattooed a large list of celebrities including Steve-O from Jackass, Sebastian Bach, Eve, Jenna Jameson, and one of my favorite actors, Jesse Metcalfe, from John Tucker Must Die, and the famous gardener from Desperate Housewives. "Playing by her own rules, Kat lives a fast-paced, rebel lifestyle. Hers is a life of freedom: she sets her own schedule, picks her clients, sleeps late,and parties all night," says TLC.
"Believe the hype- What you see is who she is- Kat Von D is a true one of a kind, bad to the bone, sexy tattooed bombshell- with a captivating personality and an 'I don't give a fuck' attitude. I wish more people in this world embraced who they really are and cared enough about sincerity and integrity like Kat does... It also doesn't hurt that she can draw better than most, is interested in progressing as an artist and is actually trying to show the world that tattooing IS an art form. Her art has a timeless quality to it, with a strong sense of contrast, detail and precision- Kat's own personal aesthetic walks among the few that are fortunately adorned by her touch. Generosity abound, Kat is simply, a great person," Steven Barber said of Kat.
Kat seems like a fun person and she really knows who she is, a great accomplishment for someone of her age. She has
her own show and a job that she loves. “My biggest inspiration comes from love. It's the biggest inspiration on the planet for me. It's my higher power. Other places I get inspiration are my family, my heritage, my music, and everything else including my city (Los Angeles). These are my biggest influences in all aspects of life including the way I dress, paint, draw, tattoo, talk, style my cars and the music I listen to.”
her own show and a job that she loves. “My biggest inspiration comes from love. It's the biggest inspiration on the planet for me. It's my higher power. Other places I get inspiration are my family, my heritage, my music, and everything else including my city (Los Angeles). These are my biggest influences in all aspects of life including the way I dress, paint, draw, tattoo, talk, style my cars and the music I listen to.”The studio's other employees are artists Corey Miller, Hannah Aitchison, Kim Saigh and the shop manager, Amber "Pixie" Acia, Kat's best friend.
I don't like this show nearly as much as Miami Ink. To me the artist aren't nearly as talented or interesting, with the exception of Kat and the clients stories don't seem nearly as touching.
6 comments:
It is rather interesting to not only see that Kat left Miami ink but that she started her own place on a totally different coast. What other famous tattoo artists work with her though? Very informative almost documentary like!
You know, what draws you to Miami Ink draws me to LA Ink. I find Kat so mesmerizing and her story definitely compares to those who get tattooed in Miami. But each person is different, and thus we have two different shows for two growing audiences. Thank you for highlighting the shows in your posts this week.
A question: some of your quotes aren't hyperlinked or referenced, such as the Stephen Barber quote. Where did that come from? Finally, consider the details provided. YOu mentioned how Kat would look different at 60 with her many tats (I have thought the same thing), but yet you then move to a description of one of her tattoos. Finish that thought!
Personally I love LA ink better than Miami, but that just my opinion. I like your article about her background and her show, it was very informative. Kat is definitley an icon to women tattoo artists out there.
Wow! I didn't know so much-okay I am not going to lie, I did not know anything about tattoos until reading your blog entries. Seriously, I have learned so much about this topic. I thought tattoos were basically just tattoos, but you do a wonderful job detailing us with the information we need. One thing I must say. As I was reading, I noticed that you would skip from one thing to another. For example, just like Julie said, you start talking about her looking different at 60, but then you sort of get off topic and start talking about something else. I also noticed that as I was reading, and I thought maybe it was just me, so I read it a second time and I was cut off guard. I also thought some other places were a little off topic as well, but weren't as obvious. I think you have a great idea of what you are writing, it just needs to more organized and completed. When you are writing, try not to go off topic.I know there are plenty of things to write about, so try to stay on topic...and the rest is just awesome-no complaints!
Amber I would have to say your whole blog has kept me awake unlike most blogs I read. You have made such great points and very educational as well. I like how you whole blog explains in detail the pros and cons of tattoos. I also like the fact that you have included some of the best artists in the business in your blog. Overall I would have to say your blog is very much complete and incredibly helpful. Do you have any concern of your own when it comes to tattoos, and do you have any advice when it come to tattoo.
What a great blog topic to write about. If I would've chosen this topic, I probably just have to get a tattoo just to sell my product. I been thinking of getting a tattoo for the past years, but I’m still borderline on that issue. I think many people are that way, do you feel like that sometimes?
It’s a great idea that you have introduced different personas and incorporated them in your blog and help us realize where all these influences of tattoos come from. I don’t have one sense of knowledge on tattoos beside that on some people it looks just right and on others it doesn’t.
It’s amazing where these artists go through and where they come from, I personally never seen the shows you have mentioned, but it sounds interesting. Your information covers a lot and very informative points, but just don’t forget to mention where you get all your information.
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