HIGH VOLTAGE TATTOO

High Voltage Tattoo is a graphic perspective on today's global tattooculture by Kat Von D, star of The Learning Channel's L.A. Ink and one ofthe most talented and popular artists working today. Designed in a stylethat is reminiscent of a handmade Gothic journal with its red paddedcover, ornate typography, and parchmentlike pages, it throws the door wideopen to tattooing culture in the way only an insider like Kat can. HighVoltage Tattoo traces Kat's career as an artist, from early childhoodinfluences to recent work, along with examples of what inspires her,information about the show and her shop, her sketches, and personaltattoos. The book goes deep into tattoo process and culture: readers cansee up close the pigments, the tools, and the making of complex, evencollaborative, tattoos. With a foreword by Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, thebook 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. Itprofiles and showcases the work of artists Kat has selected from all overthe world, her interviews with people who have compelling tattoos andstories, and amazing images of extraordinary tattoo work. Numerousportfolios throughout the book showcase a range of relevant subjects, fromthe black and gray portrait work for which Kat is famous to a populartattoo theme, such as the rose or biblical images. There is a knockoutten-page full-body spread of Kat—clad in a yellow bikini andseven-inch, rhinestone-studded red stilettos—that catalogs in detailall her personal tattoos on her front, back, left, and rightsides—even her hands and head.