High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D

Hardback Edition

I became aware of Kat Von D as a tattoo artist from watching her on the following reality television shows ~ Miami Ink and LA Ink.

I do not have any tattoos myself and have no plans on ever being tattooed... But I have grown to see tattoos as an art form if done properly by talented tattoo artists like Kat Von D.

I purchased the hardback edition of High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D quite a few years ago now and finally decided to read and review her book this year.

High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D makes for a great coffee table book, especially if you love tattoos. The photographs of the tattoos that cover Kat Von D's body and of the tattoos Kat Von D has done on other people are well done, although I feel like a few of the photographs could have been made larger to showcase more of the detail of each tattoo. 

It was interesting to read about Kat Von D's life, how she became a tattoo artist, and about how music is another one of her passions. Kat Von D also writes about the artists she enjoys and other tattoo related things, like tattoo etiquette, tattoo after care, tips on how to find a tattoo artist that is right for you, and even myths about getting tattoos!

The following is a blurb about High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D from Amazon:

High Voltage Tattoo is a graphic perspective on today's global tattoo culture by Kat Von D, star of The Learning Channel's L.A. Ink and one of the most talented and popular artists working today. Designed in a style that is reminiscent of a handmade Gothic journal with its red padded cover, ornate typography, and parchment like pages, it throws the door wide open to tattooing culture in the way only an insider like Kat can.

High Voltage Tattoo traces Kat'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. The book goes deep into tattoo process and culture: readers can see up close the pigments, the tools, and the making of complex, even collaborative, tattoos.

With a foreword by Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, the book features images and stories about celebrities, rockers, pro skaters, and everyday citizens, including Slayer's Kerry King, Anthrax's Scott Ian, Margaret Cho, Jackass' Bam Margera, David Letterman, and many others. It profiles and showcases the work of artists Kat has selected from all over the world, her interviews with people who have compelling tattoos and stories, and amazing images of extraordinary tattoo work. Numerous portfolios throughout the book showcase a range of relevant subjects, from the black and gray portrait work for which Kat is famous to a popular tattoo theme, such as the rose or biblical images. There is a knockout ten-page full-body spread of Kat—clad in a yellow bikini and seven-inch, rhinestone-studded red stilettos—that catalogs in detail all her personal tattoos on her front, back, left, and right sides—even her hands and head.

I am giving High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!