Inked Talk

The Guiness Book of World Records contained a number of tattoo-related records, including the most tattooed person (Lucky Diamond Rich of Australia is 100% tattooed), and the longest tattoo session (held by Stephen Grady and Melanie Grieveson of Australia at 43 hours, 50 minutes).

Kat von D brought a lot of attention to the Guiness Book’s world record for the most tattoos given in a 24-hour period by attempting the record on her show, LA Ink, in December of 2007.  To make the record, she needed to produce 400 tattoos, which she did by tattooing a stylized “LA” on 400 people within a day’s time.

Her record was relatively short lived as Oliver Peck tattooed 415 people at Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas, Texas.  Oliver Peck, who, incidentally, is Kat von D’s ex husband, broke the record on a June 13, 2008 - Friday the thirteenth, for the record.  Lest anyone think that Kat was bitter over having her record shattered, she posted a rather nice blog on her Myspace page congratulating Peck and acknowledging that she knew when she attained the record that Peck would be sure to attept it and beat it soon after.

This week, Key West Ink in Key West, Florida, is going to attempt to beat Peck’s record.  Beginning at 2p.m. on October 23, 2008, tattoo artist John Paul “JP” Bertrand, will tattoo one of a selection of some smaller, predetermined pieces on any eligible volunteer over age 18.  Bertrand will need to complete 416 tattoos within the twenty-four hour span to beat Peck’s record and make it into the Guiness Book.  For more information on Key West Ink’s attempt at the Guiness Book of World Records, visit their official website.  

Editor’s Note: I’m not what you would call an avid television watcher, so blogging about what’s on the TV takes a lot of effort on my part. Nevertheless, it’s hard to have a tattoo blog without talking about LA Ink and Kat von D, and with the third season of the show premiering shortly, it all merits a little mention.

LA Ink’s Third Season Premiere

The third season of Kat von D’s LA Ink premieres next week, October 9, 2008 at 10/9 Central Time. The latest clip gives us a glimpse into what’s in store for the new season:

Filming for Season Three is still ongoing, and today Kat von D’s Myspace bulletin featured some information about the new season, including the fact that the first episode is going to feature Dave Navarro getting a pretty significant tattoo by Kat.

For more information about the upcoming episodes of LA Ink:

Discovery Channel’s LA Ink Website

Kat von D’s Myspace Page

Maxim Magazine and Pontiac have teamed up with Kat von D for a “tattooed” Pontiac Vibe giveaway contest.

What a strange partnership. Pontiacs, particularly Vibes, don’t strike me as being particularly interesting or edgy, even if they are drawn on like the one in the contest.

No purchase is necessary for the contest, and you can opt out of future spamming as well, so give it a click. If you aren’t interested in the Vibe, well, good for you, but you can check out some Kat von D videos on the contest site as well. Worth a look.

Browsing Kat von D and company’s LA Ink website today I noticed a feature called “Tattoo Mistakes,” which was a brief article outlining some common mistakes that people make when getting a tattoo. The advice was certainly good:

5. Poorly Sized Tattoo - getting a tattoo that is too small or that doesn’t fit well on the body part where it is placed. A tiny tattoo can certainly be beautiful if done well, but getting a dime-sized flower on your thigh just for the sake of having a tattoo is likely to lead to future regret…or a tattoo that from a distance looks like an ugly bruise.
4. Cheap Tattoos - a common tattoo shop sign says “a good tattoo ain’t cheap, and a cheap tattoo ain’t good.” Be thrifty when it comes to car insurance - don’t skimp when you are permanently marking your body.
3. Lover’s Name Tattoos - A Harris poll from 2003 cited getting having a former lover’s name in a tattoo as the biggest reason for tattoo regret. Opinions differ strongly on this one, but that tattoo is going to stay forever so make sure you’ll still want to read “Lisa” on your arm even after Lisa has left you for your brother.
2. Impulsive Tattoos - I wonder how my friend from high school likes the Kermit the Frog she had tattooed on her inner thigh now that she’s in her thirties. While it may seem cute or funny now, are you going to think so a few years down the road? Or even the next day? My personal tattoo litmus test is if I have an idea for a tattoo I have to like it for at least a few months before I decide to get it done.
1. Being Drunk - Tattoo parlors simply shouldn’t tattoo someone who is obviously intoxicated, but the real responsibility lies in the customer. Don’t make any decision that you have to live with forever while you are drunk.

While the LA Ink suggestions were excellent, other artists have had additional suggestions to avoid making tattoo mistakes:

Be comfortable with your artist and his work. If you aren’t sure about your artist’s work - if you don’t like his style or you aren’t comfortable with his take on your tattoo idea - don’t do it! Don’t get pressured into someone else’s vision of your tattoo. Shop around - there will be someone out there who understands what you want and who can help you make that idea work for you.

Do your homework on the tattoo shop. Tattoos really can be hazardous to your health if done in an unclean environment. Be sure that your tattoo shop has a good track record of cleanliness and compliance with health codes. If there’s anything about the shop that makes you feel uncomfortable or question its cleanliness, leave. There are other tattoo shops that will be happy to help you out - don’t risk your health on a bad one.

Ask questions. Particularly for a first tattoo, if you have questions about the tattoo procedure, about aftercare, or about anything, don’t be afraid to ask. It is better to ask than learn something the hard way later. The tattoo guy may look scary, but if he’s truly a professional he’ll have an answer to your question.

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Current Event Watch

Hey all! It’s here! The new hot tattoo show everyone’s been waiting for. Kat Von D’s new show “L.A. Ink” premieres today, August 7th on TLC. She has come home to L.A. and has lined up some top artists for her new tattoo shop. Be sure to head on over to the LA INK page to get more information, video sneak peaks, see Kat’s tats and even some cool tattoo games and wallpaper!

And of course, tune in to TLC tonight at 10 to see her opener! Don’t know about you but I’m excited!

Kat Von D, LA Ink, TLC, TV, tattoos, tattoo shows, premieres

TLC has confirmed that Kat Von D will be getting her own show. The show’s title is LA Ink. Of course we all know that L.A. is where Kat calls home. We also know that Kat adores her hometown so this should be a cool show to watch.

I hear too that Kat’s shop is being built now… I’m sure this is old news.

So the people at TLC were kind enough to email me about the start of season 3 of Miami Ink. Season 3 starts Tuesday 10pm Eastern/ 9pm Central.

See Ami and Kat’s parting words…

The TLC Miami Ink site
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/miami-ink.html

Submit your tattoo to get rated
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/submit_tattoo.html

Check out other tattoos!
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/view_vote/view_vote.html