Kat Von D Biography




Kat Von D
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Kat Von D
Born Katherine von Drachenberg
March 8, 1982 (1982-03-08) (age 27)
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Other names Katherine Drachenberg, Kat von D
Occupation Tattoo artist, Television personality
Spouse(s) Oliver Peck (m. 2004–2007) «start: (2004)–end+1: (2008)»"Marriage: Oliver Peck to Kat Von D" Location: (linkback:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat_Von_D)
Website
Kat Von D.net

Kat Von D (born as Katherine Von Drachenberg on March 8, 1982 in Monterrey, Mexico) is a Mexican 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.

Contents

Biography

Von D was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to Argentine parents of Spanish and German descent. She moved to Los Angeles at age 4 and grew up in the Inland Empire in Southern California. She credits the prominent Latino culture of Los Angeles as being a major influence in her art and style.1 She quit school when she was 14 and decided she wanted to be a tattoo artist.2 Kat has been tattooing since she was 16.3

Von D was asked to work at Miami Ink when Darren Brass had broken his arm.4 She had a falling out with Ami James which led to her leaving Miami Ink.5 She has said that she hasn't talked to any of the members of Miami Ink since her departure. 5

Following this she got her own show LA Ink, on which she gained the Guiness World Record of most tattoos given by a single person in 24 hours, with a total of 400.6

Kat Von D, at the 2007 Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival, Alberta, Canada.

She has a book compiling her artworks and tattoos, which was 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. In a January 2009 interview on Anytime with Bob Kushell, Von D said about the book: "It's 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."7 She was one of the contributors to Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's book Cherry Bomb in which she gave tips on tattooing. 8

Von D owns her own make-up line on Sephora, and is the creator of the Musink festival.

Von D married fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck in 2003, but divorced in 2007.9

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.".10

Musical tastes

Von D was classically trained in piano beginning at age 6.11 She particularly appreciates Ludwig van Beethoven and Space Station Wagon.11 Von D has tattooed herself with the emblems of the bands Misfits, HIM, Turbonegro, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Slayer, Mike Got Spiked and "Slutallica", a modified Metallica logo.11

Filmography

LA Ink's graffiti in Los Angeles

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

References

  1. ^ http://en.terra.com/lifestyle/articles/html/hof1847.htm
  2. ^ Life at the sharp end, The Guardian, July 11, 2008
  3. ^ LA Ink, American Way
  4. ^ Kat Von D feature, Prick
  5. ^ a b Interview with Kat von D by Chris Nieratko
  6. ^ More tattoos on "LA ink", Vitamin Angels
  7. ^ "Anytime with Bob Kushell feat. Kat Von D". Anytime with Bob Kushell. 2009-01-29. No. 7, season 1.
  8. ^ Cherry Bomb: Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's Ultimate How-To for Budding Rock Chicks, LA Weekly, July 30, 2008
  9. ^ Kat Von D, LA Weekly, May 13, 2008
  10. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Part 2: Jesse Hughes". SuicideGirls.com. 5 November 2008. http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Eagles+of+Death+Metal+Part+2%3A+Jesse+Hughes/. Retrieved 2008-11-06. 
  11. ^ a b c Brandon Geist, "Reign in Blood", Revolver, June 2008, p. 83.
  12. ^ Dave McNary (2008-03-23). "Five cut teeth on 'Bleeding'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982807.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=The+Bleeding. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 

External links

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Interviews

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