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Kat Von D

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Kat Von D
Born
Katherine Drachenberg

(1982-03-08) March 8, 1982 (age 42)
Other namesKatherine Drachenberg, Kat von D
Occupation(s)Tattoo artist, Television personality
Spousepreviously married to Oliver Peck
Websitehttp://www.katvond.net/

Kat Von D (born Katherine Drachenberg on March 8, 1982 in Monterrey, Mexico) is a Mexican-born 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 LA Ink, premiered August 7, 2007 in the United States and November 11, 2007 in the UK.

Biography

Kat Von D was born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.[1] Her father is René Drachenberg and her mother is Sylvia Galeano.[1] A middle child, Von D has a sister named Karoline and a brother named Michael.[1] She moved with her family to the Los Angeles area at age 4 and grew up in Colton, California.[1] She credits the prominent Latino culture of Los Angeles as being a major influence drawing tattoos in her art and style.[2] She began listening to the Ramones, the Misfits and other punk rock bands at the age of 12. She got her first tattoo at 14 and quit school at 16 to become a tattoo artist.[3][4]

Von D was asked to work at Miami Ink when Darren Brass had broken his elbow,[5] and appeared in the first three seasons of the same-name reality TV show taped there. She had a falling out with Ami James which led to her leaving the shop and the show, and has said she hasn't spoken with members of Miami Ink since her departure.[6]

Following this she got her own series, LA Ink, following her work at her tattoo shop, High Voltage Tattoo, in Hollywood, California. On the show, she gained the Guinness World Record of most tattoos given by a single person in 24 hours, with a total of 400.[7] This was broken shortly after by her ex husband Oliver Peck with 415, and then later by Derek Kastning with 726.[8]

She has a book compiling her artworks and tattoos, released in January 2009, called High Voltage Tattoo, with a foreword by Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx. The book traces Von D's career as an artist, from early childhood influences to recent work, along with examples of what inspires her, information about the show and her shop, her sketches, and personal tattoos. Von D described the book as "not an autobiography, you know, 'cause I'm too young to do that. But this is just kind of like a picture-driven outline of my career as an artist. So, you see everything from my drawings when I was six to tattoos that have never before been seen."[9] She was one of the contributors to Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's book Cherry Bomb in which she gave tips on tattooing.[citation needed]

Von D created a make-up line for Sephora,[1] and is the creator of the Musink festival.[10]

Von D was married to fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck, but were separated and approaching divorce by 2007. [11]

Celebrity fans

Von D was referenced in the Eagles of Death Metal song "High Voltage", which was named after her shop and is featured on their third album "Heart On". In an interview, Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes said, "I wrote that for Kat Von D, because that girl's bad ass.".[12]

Musical tastes

Von D was classically trained in piano beginning at age 6.[13] She particularly appreciates Ludwig van Beethoven.[13] Von D has tattooed herself with the emblems of the bands Misfits, HIM, Turbonegro, ZZ Top, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Slayer, Mike Got Spiked and "Slutallica", a modified Metallica logo.[13] She appeared in the music video of Alkaline Trio's "Help Me", as well as HIM's Killing Loneliness. She also likes the band 30 Seconds To Mars and is featured on the cover of "This Is War" as one of the 2,000 fans chosen.[citation needed]

Filmography

As well as cameos and various chat show appearances, TV, film, and video game appearances include:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e KatVonD.net (official site). Access date 2010-2-18
  2. ^ "Kat Von D Exclusive! | terra". En.terra.com. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  3. ^ Life at the sharp end, The Guardian, July 11, 2008
  4. ^ LA Ink, American Way
  5. ^ Sharer, Lisa. "Kat Von D: Hot Ink", Prick, October 2006
  6. ^ Interview with Kat von D by Chris Nieratko
  7. ^ More tattoos on "LA ink", Vitamin Angels
  8. ^ Guinness World Records - Adjudications - Tattoos in 24 hrs, Guinness World Records
  9. ^ "Kat Von D segment". Anytime with Bob Kushell. Season 1. Episode 7. 2009-01-29.
  10. ^ Up for DiscussionPost Comment. "Social Distortion, Motorhead Anchor Musink Tour". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  11. ^ "'LA Ink' Star Sets the Record Straight About Her Relationship with Steve-O", BuddyTV.com, August 16, 2007
  12. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Part 2: Jesse Hughes". SuicideGirls.com. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  13. ^ a b c Brandon Geist, "Reign in Blood", Revolver, June 2008, p. 83.
  14. ^ Dave McNary (2008-03-23). "Five cut teeth on 'Bleeding'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-10-09.

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