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22nd out of 75 books
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High Voltage Tattoo
by
Kat Von D
"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 parchmentlike pages, it throws the
...moreHardcover, 174 pages
Published
February 1st 2009
by Collins Design
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I actually had intended just to look through this book at the store taking my notes down for this assignment, but ended up buying the book. I loved it! The book itself is styled after an old journal with padded covers and parchment like paper which is kind of kitchy but works well for the book. I have serval tattoos and love to look at other people's tattoos. I don't watch Miami Ink or LA Ink, but like to concept of the shows and thought it would be interesting to get inside her head a littl...more
I'm going through a huge Kat Von D phase, not unlike my vegetarian cooking phase, addiction memoir phase, running phase, Swedish pop duos phase, learning to play guitar phase, Belinda Carlisle phase -- well, the last one is more of a lifestyle.
She's the Kat Von D'jour.
The punk rock tattoo artist who busted out of the super-vanilla "Miami Ink" for her own show -- "LA Ink" based in Hollywood (next door to Edible Bouquets, ohfer cute) -- is this fascinati...more
She's the Kat Von D'jour.
The punk rock tattoo artist who busted out of the super-vanilla "Miami Ink" for her own show -- "LA Ink" based in Hollywood (next door to Edible Bouquets, ohfer cute) -- is this fascinati...more
Summary: 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 parchmentlike 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...more
High Voltage Tattoo traces Kat's career as an artist...more
I don't know why but I am kind of obsessed with Kat Von D, maybe because she is my polar opposite I find her so alluring and interesting. She is the bad ass I long to be but never will be :) I don't even like tattoos, I don't ever want one, but I find her story and obsession with tattoos fascinating...and I cannot believe I am saying this but after reading this I kind of want my own tattoo, nothing big or crazy, something unobtrusive and really small. I like how the book talks about what tatto...more
This is a pretty cool book. I was never into tattooing until I caught a marathon of Miami Ink. Yup, I'm one of those TV converts. I enjoyed the stories of why people wanted their tattoos, some are so touching, such as memorial tattoos. But mostly I love the art. I'm a fan of any show that features transformation, from house design to cooking, cake decorating, etc. I'm just amazed and entertained by seeing people create beauty.
Which is a big lead up to the story about Kat. She was fe...more
Which is a big lead up to the story about Kat. She was fe...more
When I picked up this book for the first time I was very much drawn into the allure of tattoos and the whole indie-beauty thing that was (and still is?) popular. I liked that Kat Von D had enough ink to write a novel on her body. I ate the book up quickly, very much a poppy kind of picture book with an interesting look into the life of Ms. KVD. The pages showing her tattoos, which takes about a few pages to do, are excellently photographed and fun to look at. I gave this book to my friend not to...more
First off I really have to say that this is a wonderful depiction of the tattoo world summarized into one book. From tattoo etiquette to different styles of tattoo, it is all covered. I know this is only one persons view on the tattooing world that she has been in, but her view on it has given me a real insight and taught me things I didn't know before.
Kat Von D, basically most of the general population has heard that name at least once in their life or know exactly who she is. She h...more
Kat Von D, basically most of the general population has heard that name at least once in their life or know exactly who she is. She h...more
I picked up this book while I was waiting for Tattoo Chronicles to come in. It was definitely a book all about tattoos and the amazingly talented artists behind them. I loved Kat's tattoo directory (5 centerfold pics) from every angle: front, back, side, other side, and hands. And she has the old Hollywood starlets!! Love it!! My daughter was baffled why i was reading a book about tattoos of all things (virgin-skin me!) and i said, its fascinating art- Kat's an artist just like you! And flipped...more
I love Kat and this is an awesome book. everybody who has a dislike for tattoos should read this one as well as anybody who is scared of tattooed people. i recently got my first tattoo (as did my sister) and we were lectured by everybody about how we were going to be looked down upon by society and blah blah blah. I also watch LA Ink (Kat's show) which really shows her as this tough business chick who doesn't take crap from anybody but there are also moments where you can see that she feels bad ...more
This is maaaybe a good example of why people who aren't writers shouldn't try to write books. I really enjoyed the photography, but the writing (predictably) is pretty sub-par. And didn't she have an editor? Sheesh. There were some pretty glaring mistakes that put my teeth on edge. And it wasn't even very biographical, which I guess is what I was hoping for - it's more of a quick and dirty look at who's who and what's what in the tattoo world. This is a good one to get out of the library f...more
This book is a beautiful collection of artwork done by Kat Von D and other tattoo artists she wishes to showcase. Kat shares stories behind the tattoos. I personally do not have a tattoo nor want one, but I was drawn to the cover of the book. It made me pick it up and look inside. I was delighted to find all the beautiful sketches and tattoos featured in the book. The book was placed on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2010. It made the top ten list. This book is an...more
I started watching Kat on Miami Ink and L.A. Ink and was amazed by how young and extremely talented she was. Her book is full of beautiful artwork , from sketches to paintings and of course tattoos. It's filled with stories about her life how she got started and what inspires her to tattoo. Also many of her friends and their tattoos and the stories behind them. I assumed it would be a book filled with just her tattoos, just pictures. There where so many amazing tattoos like the Guernica by Picas...more
I should start by saying that I have not watched Kat Von D's reality show (LA Ink, which is on TLC) yet. Kat Von D is a very talented tattoo artist and visual artist, and this book showcases a lot of her excellent work. I could tell that this well worn library book (sections were falling out!) has been pored over by many readers. I found it a bit strange that she writes several times about personally receiving or giving tattoos while being drunk, but then later under the etiquette section, she t...more
I got this because I'm enamored with the show L.A. Ink and the writing of this book was a major part of the second season. It's a beautiful and fun book. The language is, unfortunately, a bit adult so I don't feel like I can give it to an early teen friend who's into art, for example. I was expecting a little more there there, which is why it's an A minus. But still a gorgeous book, and it does shed a lot of light on things (maybe more than a little if you haven't seen the show).
Rate...more
Rate...more
This book is beautiful. This person is all skin and ink. There were these full page diagrams from all angles of her bod, with bullets to all of her tattoos and small descriptions of why she got those ones. Very anatomy of a junk drawer esque.
I also really liked the family and remberance tattoo portraits. A connection I cannot imagine. A grief I do not know. Someone called this a glorified myspace profile. Hah.
Keeping the tattoo momentum alive. Go go go sandwiches...more
I also really liked the family and remberance tattoo portraits. A connection I cannot imagine. A grief I do not know. Someone called this a glorified myspace profile. Hah.
Keeping the tattoo momentum alive. Go go go sandwiches...more
I just got my first tattoo and have a bit of a fascination about them lately. Anyone who's seen LA Ink knows the Kat Von D is a very talented tattoo artist. Her shading and portraiture are amazing.
The book is a bit of her memoir and how she got started in the art of tattooing. It showcases all her tattoo's and what they mean to her. It also showcases some of her best tattoo's she's given other people and how they've turned out.
The book is a bit of her memoir and how she got started in the art of tattooing. It showcases all her tattoo's and what they mean to her. It also showcases some of her best tattoo's she's given other people and how they've turned out.
First book of this kind that I've ever read, but it was cool. I love tattoos anyway, and I really enjoyed the layout of this book. I like the Gothic sort of style, the snippets of handwriting, different scripts. It gets kinda boring to read an art book that has all the same font throughout. It's so clinical. This really felt organic and like a genuine, honest glimpse into the life of Kat Von D and the world of tattooing.
I never would have guessed some of the things Kat Von D writes about. I really love the whole tattoo scene. I remember when I got my first and swore 'this will be my only'
the second one was 'this will be my last'
and now I am on my fifth and still long for more... It's addicitve. I really enjoyed reading High Voltage, whether you like the tattoo scene or not, it's an interesting read.
the second one was 'this will be my last'
and now I am on my fifth and still long for more... It's addicitve. I really enjoyed reading High Voltage, whether you like the tattoo scene or not, it's an interesting read.
This book is interesting but I don't think it's one of the best tattoo books out there. There is a lot of information about Kat Von D herself so if you're a big fan, you'll love this book. I prefer more colorful tattoos and I'm not a big fan of portrait tattoos. I'm also not a fan of heavy metal, punk or hard rock, so basically, while this isn't really my style, I still liked the book.
I bought this book when Kat came through Omaha on her book tour. I enjoyed watching Kat on television and thought she seemed like a great person. Isn't it funny how much more you like someone after you have had the chance to exchange words with them and find out that they are just as genuine in person as they are in the media? What a splendidly talented woman! Wonderful!!
I know a lot of people who will never pick up this coffee-table style book because they don't have tattoos or they don't like them. That's pretty sad though because this book (a) has a fantastic layout and (b) has a wealth of information - not just about tattoos but about the people who do them and the myriad of reasons people get them.
I enjoyed this book much better than her other book. The reason why is that Kat talks more about why she is tattooing, how her shop came about, and her who influences are. Sure there are tons of pictures of tattoos that she has done and some stories behind them, but there isn't the whining about her life.
Has a brief bio, index of kat's tattoos, tattoo shop etiquette, and a look at some of her favorite authors. That is the best part of this book because she writes about some amazing artists that not everyone knows about and provides some really great photos of their work.
I liked the pictures of the tattoos and the stories behind them, and Kat Von D does run with an interesting crowd. However, after reading Jeff Johnson's fascinating and entertaining memoir "Tattoo Machine", I changed my rating of Kat's book...I guess I would have liked more narrative, but some people are natural storytellers, and some aren't. Or rather, Kat's saving the juicy stuff for her second book...?
Beautifully illustrated slices of life by the renowned tattoo artist Kat Von D. I loved all the discussion of portraiture and the importance of commemorating important events.
All that said, I don't think I'll ever GET a tattoo. I'm too much of a chicken.
All that said, I don't think I'll ever GET a tattoo. I'm too much of a chicken.
I have to say this is one fascinating book. The mini autobiography on Kat von D herself is nicely done and gives us a great background on her life and how she ended up with her tattoo obesssion. The pictures alone can be looked at for hours.
Gorgeous pictures and good writing by the artist who is best known for the show L.A. Ink on TLC. Of course, it makes me want more tattoos, but it also gives good suggestions on how to prepare for a tattoo, etc.
No surprises here if you watched her TV show LA Ink, but still, a decent collection of the stories behind her shop, show, and the tattoos she did - as well as biographical information and random thoughts.
I picked this up on a whim, but surprisingly (or not) liked it a lot. Makes me want to get a lot of tattoos, which is always fun... I have come to appreciate classic tattoo styles more than I previously had.
An honest look at her life and how she got there. It is an interesting story of an artist even if you are not into the tattoo world. The book art work and print is beautiful and very detailed.
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Kat Von D (born Katherine Von Drachenberg) 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.
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