Kat Von D
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2008) |
Kat Von D | |
|---|---|
 Kat Von D | |
| Born | Katherine von Drachenberg March 8, 1982 |
| Other names | Katherine Drachenberg |
| Occupation | Tattoo artist |
Kat Von D (born Katherine Von Drachenberg on March 8, 1982) is a Mexican-American tattoo artist and television personality. She is best known for her work as a featured tattoo artist on the TLC reality television show Miami Ink. A subsequent TLC series starring Von D, LA Ink, premiered August 7, 2007 in the United States and November 11, 2007 in the UK.
Biography
Born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Von D moved to the United States when she was four, settling in Colton, California[1] Her father René von Drachenberg is of German descent and her mother, Sylvia Galeano has Spanish-Italian roots, but were both born in Argentina[2][3]. She speaks fluent Spanish and English[4].
Growing up in the Inland Empire, she made her first tattoo at age 14, a logo of the rock band Misfits.[5] In early 1996, her friends asked her to pick up the machine and work on them (her first effort was a Misfits skull with a homemade rig). In 1998, she began working in her first professional shop, Sin City Tattoo. This was a great period of growth in her work and led to her eventually moving to True Tattoo for a chance to work with Clay Decker and Chris Garver. This afforded her the opportunity to live and work in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[6] While working at True Tatto, Von D met her ex-husband, Oliver Peck, and occasionally worked at his tattoo shop "Elm Street Tattoo" in Dallas, Texas.
Von D is currently dating Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame, and made their first media appearance as a couple on 31st March 2008 episode of Sirius Radio's 'Radio Bam', hosted by Von D's close friend and professional skateboarder Bam Margera.
In February 2008, Von D was the subject of controversy when it was reported that an autographed head shot of herself was given to former co-worker and fellow tattoo artist Chris Garver to pass on to her ex-boss Ami James. The head shot in question was autographed and signed: "Burn in hell Jewbag xoxo Kat Von D". The photo also had a drawing of a burning Star of David and a swastika.[7] Von D denied the accusations and stated through her publicist that:
"The recent accusation of a publicity photo of me with offensive and anti-semitic comments and graphics allegedly written by me is completely false and unfounded, and clearly a forgery. This was already proven many months ago to be 100 percent untrue. I always have been, and will continue to be an advocate for tolerance of all races, religions and ways of life."[7]
Though Garver confirmed that Kat von D herself handed him the autographed head shot, the TLC network stated that a full investigation was conducted and insufficient evidence existed to conclude that Von D authored the text.[7]
Outside tattooing
Besides her tattoo career, Von D has also appeared in a version of HIM's music video for "Killing Loneliness".[8] She has appeared on such shows as Tom Green's House Tonight, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Ellen Degeneres Show.
She is also sponsored by the soda company Jones Soda [9] and has worked with Vitamin Angels, a non-profit organization that fights child blindness caused by vitamin deficiencies.[10]
Kat Von D has collaborated with professional skaters Bam Margera, Chad Muska, and Mike Vallely on their new skateboard deck graphics.
Kat Von D started Musink, which is a collaboration between famous bands and tattooers alike. In February 2008 Musink opened for the first time at the Orange County fairgrounds.[11]
References
- ^ [1] "Born on March 8th, 1982, in the town of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, she moved to the States when she was four, settling in Colton, Ca."
- ^ [2] "Her father René Drachenberg and her mother Sylvia Galeano were both born in Argentina, though René's family origins were German and Sylvia's Spanish-Italian."
- ^ [3] "Though her father (Rene Von Drachenberg) is of German descent and her mother (Sylvia Galeano) has Spanish-Italian roots, both her parents are native Argentinians."
- ^ "http://www.katvond.net/bio.html"
- ^ Tätowiererin Kat von D Sie geht unter die Haut - Panorama - sueddeutsche.de
- ^ k a t v o n d.net
- ^ a b c "Kat Von D -- Next Mel Gibson?". 2008-02-08.
- ^ YouTube - H.I.M - Killing Loneliness (Version 2)
- ^ Kat Von D: with Jones Soda Co
- ^ Claustro, Lisa (2008-01-18). "' Kat Von D Tattoos 400 People to Save 32,000 Children in 24 Hours for Vitamin Angels". Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Musink, a celebration of tattoos and rock, comes to Costa Mesa". 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- March 31 2008 episode of Radio Bam on Sirius Radio
External links
