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A tattoo artist performs a tattoo.

A tattoo artist (also tattooer or tattooist) is an individual who applies permanent decorative tattoos, often in an established business called a "tattoo shop," "tattoo studio" or '"tattoo parlour." Tattoo artists usually learn their craft via an apprenticeship under a trained and experienced mentor.

Apprenticeships[link]

To become a tattoo artist a person must first have a passion for art and for drawing and also be able to draw. A strong skill set in other visual media also will help in creating art on skin. The first step is to gain an apprenticeship from a person that is already skilled in the art of tattooing.^[1]

A tattoo apprenticeship traditionally last 2 years. For the first 6 months to a year, traditionally the apprentice is not allowed to tattoo but is trained in sanitation and proper safety techniques. The apprentice will be expected to clean and maintain the shop, as well as watch and continue to grow as an artist. This first year most apprentices quit and don't ever achieve full completion. The cost of apprenticing can range from 10s of thousands to free for labor around the shop. However, completing an apprenticeship is only the start of a long journey of education. A tattoo artist will always learn new techniques and skills from fellow journeymen along the way.

Tattoo Artwork[link]

Tattoo artists can create original tattoos for their customers

Tattooers or tattooists may use flash (pre-drawn, stock images that can be traced onto the skin) or variations of known designs.

A "scratcher" is a bad artist in reference to the bad quality of the shading that looks "scratched" in rather than smooth, often these people work out of their houses (so are also called kitchen scratchers)

Tattoo Tools[link]

Some of the tools of the trade have greatly evolved while some have stayed the same, such as the tattoo machine. In itself, the traditional machine has not changed from its original design and/or concept. With the rise of new machine designs, however, both air- and electric-powered tools such as the rotary and pneumatic tattoo machine have made their way into the industry. A practitioner may also use many different needle sets, such as round liner needles, round shader needles, flat shaders, and magnum (mag) needles. The amount of needles attached to the needle bar change, as well. For instance, large magnum needle groups range from 15 to 55 needles on one bar. A practitioner must have the basic tools to provide a tattoo. All other items at the artist's disposal are as different as each tattoo. Basic tools include the tattoo machine, power supply, clip cord, foot pedal, grip, tips, grip stem, needles, and tattoo ink.

Tattoo Studio[link]

The properly equipped tattoo studio will use biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, sharps containers for old needles, and an autoclave for sterilizing tools. Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water.

Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for the stencil, between clients, after a tattoo has been completed, and at any other time where cross contamination can occur. The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. In some countries and U.S. states it is illegal to tattoo a minor even with parental consent, and it is usually not allowed to tattoo impaired persons (e.g. someone intoxicated or under the influence of drugs), people with contraindicated skin conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, or those incapable of consent due to mental incapacity. Before the tattooing begins the client is asked to approve the position of the applied stencil. After approval is given the artist will open new, sterile needle packages in front of the client, and always use new, sterile or sterile disposable instruments and supplies, and fresh ink for each session (loaded into disposable ink caps which are discarded after each client). Also, all areas which may be touched with contaminated gloves will be wrapped in clear plastic to prevent cross-contamination. Equipment that cannot be autoclaved (such as countertops, machines, and furniture) will be cleaned with a low level disinfectant and then wiped with an approved high level disinfectant.

The local health department can/will do a hands on inspection of tattoo studios every 4 months in the state of Tennessee. The venue will be graded based on the areas being inspected. If the studio passed an inspection, the health department will sign off on a passing scorecard and the studio will be required to show their score publicly. If the studio fails an inspection, they will be given the opportunity to correct the mistakes (if minor) or be fined (major health risks) and can also be placed out of business on the spot.

Also, the possession of a working autoclave is mandatory in most states. An autoclave is a medical sterilization device used to sterilize stainless steel. The autoclave itself will be inspected by the health department and required to submit weekly spore tests. However if these jurisdictions are up to date, they will not require an autoclave if the practitioners are using 100% disposable tubes and grips which are made of plastic and some grips are made of rubber. These come presterilized for one time use only and must never be resterilized.

Membership in professional organizations, or certificates of appreciation/achievement, generally helps artists to be aware of the latest trends. However, many of the most notable tattooists do not belong to any association. While specific requirements to become a tattooist vary between jurisdictions, many mandate only formal training in bloodborne pathogens, and cross contamination. The local department of health regulates tattoo studios in many jurisdictions.

For example, according to the health departments in Oregon and Hawaii, tattoo artists in these states are required to take and pass a test ascertaining their knowledge of health and safety precautions, as well as the current state regulations. Performing a tattoo in Oregon state without a proper and current license or in an unlicensed facility is considered a felony offense.^[2] Tattooing was legalized in New York City, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Oklahoma between 2002 and 2006.^[3]

See also[link]

• List of tattoo artists
• Tattoo

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tattoo artists

Kat Von D
Kat Von D tattooing
Born	Katherine von Drachenberg (1982-03-08) March 8, 1982 (age 30) Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico
Other names	Kat Von D
Occupation	Tattoo artist, television personality
Spouse	Oliver Peck (2003–2007)
Website
www.katvond.net

Katherine von Drachenberg,^[1] best known under her registered trademark Kat Von D^[2] (born March 8, 1982),^[3] is an American tattoo artist, model and television personality. She is best known for her work as a tattoo artist on the TLC reality television show LA Ink, which premiered August 7, 2007, in the United States and ran four seasons.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Kat Von D was born in Montemorelos^[4], Nuevo León, Mexico.^[3] Her missionary^[5] parents, father René and mother Sylvia^[3] or Silvia^[6] Galeano, were born in Argentina,^[3][7] of German descent and Italian and Spanish descent, respectively.^[3] Von D has a sister, Karoline^[8] and a brother, Michael.^[8] She moved with her family to the Los Angeles area at age 4 and grew up in Colton, California.^[3] Von D was classically trained in piano beginning at age 6.^[9] She particularly appreciates Ludwig van Beethoven.^[9]

Von D credits her grandmother, Clara von Drachenberg, as an inspiration for her in music and art,^[10] and the Latino culture of Los Angeles as a major influence on her tattoo art and style.^[11] She began listening to the Ramones, 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.^[5][12]

Career[link]

Von D was asked to work at 305 Ink in Miami^[13] when Darren Brass broke his elbow,^[14] preventing him from tattooing. She appeared in the first four seasons of Miami Ink, the reality TV show taped there for the cable network TLC. She had a falling out with Ami James which led to her being asked to leave the shop.^[15]

She subsequently acquired her own TLC series, LA Ink, which chronicled 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.^[16] Accomplished in December 2007, it involved a Von D-designed logo for the city of Los Angeles, with proceeds going to the children's-blindness charity Vitamin Angels.^[17] Her record was subsequently broken by her ex-husband, Oliver Peck (415) on June 13 2008,^[17] followed by others; as of November 2008 the record is held by Hollis Cantrell from Artistic Tattoo in Phoenix, Arizona, with 801.^[18] LA Ink ran four seasons, ending September 15, 2011; TLC announced the cancellation on August 18, 2011.^[19] Von D maintained on her Twitter page that it was she who chose "to not continue doing LA Ink".^[20]

Her first book, High Voltage Tattoo, compiling her artworks and tattoos, with a foreword by Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, was released in January 2009 and reached #6 on The New York Times Best Seller list.^[21] 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."^[22] Her second book, The Tattoo Chronicles, an illustrated diary following a year in her life, was released October 26, 2010, and reached #3 on The New York Times "Hardcover Advice & Misc." best-seller list.^[23]

In 2008, Von D created and launched a make-up line for Sephora.^[3] She has released new collections every year and has expanded her line to include fragrances. She is the creator of the MusInk Tattoo Convention and Music Festival,^[24][25] which began in 2008.^[26]

On September 2, 2010, Von D opened the art gallery and boutique Wonderland Gallery in the space next door to High Voltage Tattoo.^[27]

Personal life[link]

Von D married fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck in 2003,^[28] but they were separated and preparing for divorce by August 2007.^[29] She and Peck finalized their divorce that year.^[30] She dated Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx from 2008 to August 2010, when Sixx issued a statement^{[citation needed]} that their relationship had dissolved. She later began dating motorcycle customizer, West Coast Choppers CEO and reality-show star Jesse James.^[29] On August 19, 2010, Von D confirmed media reports that she and James were dating, tweeting "I think it's pretty obvious that we're dating. "^[31] Von D and James announced their engagement on January 20, 2011.^[32] Von D announced their split via Twitter on July 26, 2011.^[33][34] On August 18, 2011, the two announced their engagement was back on.^[35] On September 24, 2011, she announced that she and James split again.^[36]

Von D has tattooed herself with the emblems of the bands HIM, Misfits, Turbonegro, ZZ Top, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Slayer, Mike Got Spiked and "Slutallica", a modified Metallica logo.^[9] She appeared in the music video of HIM's Killing Loneliness, as well as Alkaline Trio's "Help Me". Other musical artists that Von D lists among her favorites include The Mars Volta and Selena.^[37]

Media[link]

Von D was referred to 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."^[38]

Television[link]

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

• Miami Ink, 2005–2006
• LA Ink, 2007–2011
• MADtv, April 5, 2008
• Bam Margera Presents: Where the ♯$&% Is Santa?, 2008
• Pimp My Ride, 2004
• The Bleeding as Vanya^[39]
• Tony Hawk: Ride (video game) unlockable skater, November 17, 2009^{[citation needed]}

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kat Von D

• Official website
• Kat Von D at the Internet Movie Database
• Kat Von D interview, Inked
• Kat Von D podcast interview at Juliland.com
• Kat Von D Biographical Feature and Tattoo Gallery at TattooDesigns.net
• Loeffler, Shawn. "Interview: Kat Von D". AskMen.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2010. http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview_250/288_kat_von_d_interview.html. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
• Mandell, Andrea (October 28, 2010). "Kat Von D's life, relationship and work, is heavily in the ink". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-10-28-katvond28_ST_N.htm. 
• Kaufman, Amy (January 08, 2008). "Marked sensation: Kat Von D and tattoo crew are back and all the buzz on 'LA Ink'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/08/entertainment/et-laink8. 

Henk Schiffmacher
Born	Hendrikus Johannes Everhardus Schiffmacher March 22, 1952 Harderwijk, Gelderland, the Netherlands
Other names	Hanky Panky
Occupation	Tattoo artist

Hendrikus Johannes Everhardus "Henk" Schiffmacher (born March 22, 1952), also known as Hanky Panky, is a Dutch tattoo artist. He is considered an expert within the field of body decoration, having curated exhibitions, written books, and presented television shows on the subject. Schiffmacher has claimed members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, as well as Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, to be amongst his clients.^[1] RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis once described Schiffmacher as "an underground philosopher, artist, Hell's Angels associate, booze hound, drug hound, girl hound, an absolute rapscallion of Dutch proportions."^[2]

Biography[link]

Born in Harderwijk, Gelderland, Schiffmacher displayed a talent and love for drawing at an early age. In the early 1970s, he studied at the Reclame School REX in Amsterdam. Following stints in various jobs, including employment by Nieuwe Revu as a photographer, Schiffmacher decided to travel. During his travels, Schiffmacher became fascinated by the subject of tattooing, investigating the history of the subject, and upon his return to Amsterdam this fascination led to hin opening a tattoo parlour.^[1]

Schiffmacher also began to organise tattoo conventions and later wrote on the subject, resulting in the books Tattoos, published in 2001, and 1000 Tattoos, published in 2005.^[3][4] During this period, Schiffmacher also presented a documentary about tattoos, released on DVD in the Netherlands as World of Tattooing in 2004.^[5] In 2004, the exhibition Wear Your Dreams, curated by Schiffmacher, opened at the Aboriginal Art Museum in Utrecht. Schiffmacher explained the title as a literal reading of the art of the tattoo and what it means in aboriginal culture: "These people have nothing. Everything they hold, they carry within. They only cover themselves for important events and rituals by using body decorations, thus revealing thoughts and ideas."^[6] Schiffmacher then turned to painting; an exhibition of his paintings was held in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2004.^[1]

In 1999, Schiffmacher took part in the celebrity version of the Dutch Big Brother, Big Brother VIPS.^[7]

In June 2006, Schiffmacher sued the Amsterdam clothing company, 10Feet, alleging they had used his images upon their t-shirts without permission.^[8] The court ruled for Schiffmacher on all counts and ordered 10Feet to cease printing the t-shirts, fining the company 500 euro per summary infringement to a maximum of 25,000 euro.^[9]

In September 2007, the Schiffmachers starred in a TV show on Dutch channel AT5 about their lives and on 29 September 2007 the opening for the second Hanky Panky tattoo shop in Amsterdam for his daughter Morrison took place.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site (Dutch)