Piercings and Tattoos

The world of Body Art from Disha’s eyes

Jan
17

Kat Von D geared up with her High Voltage Tattoo Book

Posted by Disha Singh on January 17, 2009

Darling Kat Von D, has again come up with new venture other than tattooing though about tattooing…am I confusing you? I don’t think so. You remember last year in May she brought out her Make-Up Line and this year she is ready with a book called, High Voltage Tattoo, which she claims, is a window into the world of tattooing through her eyes.

Book appears to be a real treat to eyes and in it you will also see the tattoos Kat has done on the likes of Bam Margera, Kerry King of Slayer, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Anthrax, Alkaline Trio, Eagles of Death Metal, Margaret Cho, Jeffree Star, Jamie Thomas, Steel Panther, Fireball Ministry, Nikki Sixx, as well as some of her never before seen final tattoos on her all time fave clients!

Let’s see what introduction they give for the Book:

“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, 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.”

High Voltage Tattoo, By Kat Von D
will be available January 20th in bookstores nationwide,
as well as on The Official Book Tour launching January 18th, 2009.

Virgin Megastore Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd 105
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Thursday, 1/22 @ 7pm

Virgin Megastore
2 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Friday, 1/30 @7pm

Tattoo artist, Kat Von D, will be signing copies of her book, “High Voltage Tattoo.” Purchase your copy beginning 20/1/2009 at Virgin Hollywood and receive a wristband that guarantees you a spot in line to have your book signed.

*While supplies last. 1 person per wristband. 1 wristband per purchase.



Book Release dates:
Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
22

A word with Tattooist Lokesh of Devilz Tattooz

Posted by Disha Singh on July 22, 2008

When you think of a tattooist an image of a funky guy striving to add oomph in his life strikes your mind. Earlier we interviewed to Nick Baxter living a vegan straightedge lifestyle and today please welcome Lokesh Verma of Devilz Tattooz, 35, Basantlok, PVR PRIYA complex, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. He doesn’t like parties and is over five years in tattoo industry.

“There are those who are born artists, others who accomplish their dreams by earnestly toiling behind closed doors. Lokesh Verma is both.” Let’s not stretch his introduction more and we leave you here to read about him yourself.

Disha Singh: First of all Lokesh tell us about the significance of tattoos for you and do you also wear any tattoo?
Lokesh Verma:
Tattoos have a lot of significance in my life, I cannot imagine my life without tattoos….I don’t know what would I be, had tattoos been not there….I think I would have been some kind of artist only.

Disha Singh: Who inspired you to take up tattooing as your career and when you inked for the first time?
Lokesh Verma:
I always wanted to do something different….took up a lot of part time jobs after I finished school, while doing graduation I did a lot of part-time jobs like at Mc Donald’s and stuff…..also worked as a DJ to earn some money which helped me to buy the Tattoo kit which was very hard to get at that point of time when I was 19…..started tattooing on myself and then friends were interested in my artwork, today here I’m…. going strong everyday, there’s a lot to come.

Disha Singh: Tell me frankly, what is there in tattoos, despite all the pain, that drive people crazy?
Lokesh Verma:
I believe tattoos are a kind of identity, people want their own identity and get their unique tattoos done which mean something to them, few people get tattoos just to flaunt around and their designs are mostly off the wall.

Disha Singh: What do you think about the tattoo industry in India? Are you looking forward to make it more popular and acceptable here?
Lokesh Verma:
Tattoo industry in India is growing at a rate which was never expected 4 years from now…..I’m doing my best to bring it up to the international level and I can see myself growing with the industry everyday. It’ll take sometime to be at par with the International legendary artists, most of famous International artists have 15+ years so I think after few years we’ll be in their arena.

Disha Singh: How far would you like to take your tattooing?
Lokesh Verma:
As I said It’s a part of my life….its hard to tell and set any limits….even the best artists are improving everyday…..only time will tell….it’ll go along with me all the way…..


Disha Singh: Which is your favorite tattoo and why?
Lokesh Verma:
The Buddha backpiece is still an old favorite….I’ve worked apprx 18 hours on it but sadly it’s not complete yet……I think 12-15 more hours to go…..it’s my first backpiece and people don’t get huge tattoos here in India so that tattoo is still fun to work on…..the guy who is getting it doesn’t get enough time and I have appointments sometimes so we are not able to complete it fast…..hope to finish that soon.

Disha Singh: Which are the most popular designs you are frequently requested to make and why?
Lokesh Verma:
Angels and butterflies…..also a lot of Tribal flash. A lot of people are also getting religious tattoos done now days.

Disha Singh: Do you think tattooing have changed over the years.
Lokesh Verma:
A lot……initially I used to get a lot of Tribal tattoo requests which had no meaning….just to flaunt around……now more people are getting meaningful tattoos done which is a positive change.

Disha Singh: How much do you charge, approximately, for a piece of art?
Lokesh Verma:
It depends on the intricacy of the piece so it varies a lot.

Disha Singh: Please throw some light on your tattoo parlor and also share how you approach towards a piece of art.
Lokesh Verma: My studio is a compact studio, the approach is very conventional and basic…..but we do a lot of custom pieces….I like to draw unique pieces for the clients….I love free handing too….we trace the stencil by hand…..no thermal fax, it makes the tattoo easier to do when you know the flow and curves of your stencil….I’m tattooing for five and a half years now and I’m at this place since the last three years…..I opened up with my friends who were planning to open a beauty-spa that time, I was looking for a tattoo studio, we collaborated….all went well….now the work is increasing everyday so we are planning to renovate and make it lil’ bigger so that I and my assistants/students can work easily….

Disha Singh: As we have seen many people in India get tattoos by road-side tattoo hawkers. We know this is risky and please can you reveal some facts which should be kept in mind about tattoo ink/machine before getting tattooed whether it is a hawker or a tattoo studio.
Lokesh Verma:
I’ve seen a lot of bad tattoos and few of the studios also do the road-side job….so its very necessary for people to check the work of the artist before they get inked…there is no other way…you cannot rely on anyone…see it yourself,, I know about few wannabe artists who show you someone else’s work just to get the client, so make sure you see some live work if possible…..also make sure the needles are opened in front of new and the Inks are branded like Starbrite , Kurosumi and Intenze to name a few and not some cheap quality…see the place yourself and make sure its clean and hygienic….do a lot of research before you tattoo anywhere.

Disha Singh: Your words for newbies in this industry?
Lokesh Verma:
As Chris graver said “ ITS EASY TO BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST BUT ITS VERY HARD TO BECOME A GOOD ONE” The only thing you need to start anything is passion for that work, for tattooing if you have passion try to find a good mentor, if you are not passionate about a thing like tattooing and just seeing the money part of it……just forget it, money comes a lot later, when you are established your work speaks for itself, you have to give your days and night into it, there is no substitute for hardwork.

Disha Singh: And, finally, who is Lokesh in flesh and blood?
Lokesh Verma:
I’m just another 25 year old guy who is chasing his dreams everyday and proving myself everyday, when I drive back home after work I feel I did better then yesterday but still very far from where I want to be…..everyday I’m struggling to be like my idols Chris graver, Alexander dallier, Brandon bond, Sean Herman, Josh woods, Guy and Hannah Atchinson, Anil gupta, Paul booth, Bob tyrrell, Katherine V drechenberg and many more……I look at their work whenever I find time (which I rarely find)….I don’t like to party a lot and my idea of partying is to sit at a friends place, cook with friends (as I don’t like to eat out also) and have fun.

Thanks Lokesh for sparing your precious time for PiercingsNTattoos.