Kat Von D Bio

Everyone has something they are passionate about in life, and according to the reality television star Kat Von D bio, it's tattoos. Her appearance on two TLC documentary shows have given a whole new meaning to the words "body art."

Kat Von D

Kat Von D, whose real name is Katherine Von Drachenberg, was born on March 8, 1982 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She is the daughter of Argentine parents René Drachenberg and Sylvia Galeano. She has a brother, Michael, and a sister, Karoline. The family moved to Southern California when Kat was 4 years old. She dropped out of high school at 14 and knew right then what she wanted to do: Be a tattoo artist. Not just any tattoo artist, but one who can really bring this art form to life. Kat Von D's paternal grandmother had a significant effect on her artistic development, introducing her to the piano and Beethoven's music at a young age.

At 14, Kat received her first tattoo -an Old English "J" on her ankle- possibly in tribute to a lost love. She started hanging out in local tattoo shops and by the age of 16 started tattooing friends. Shortly thereafter she landed her first paying job at Sin City Tattoo in Pacoima, California. After gaining some much-needed skills to perform this craft, she went on to work at several tattoo parlors including Blue Bird Tattoo in Pasadena, Red Hot Tattoo in Arcadia and Inflictions Body Art in Covina.

All the while, Kat was keeping her eye on the big picture: Landing a tattooing gig in Los Angeles. That dream came true when she got an opportunity to work at True Tattoo in Hollywood alongside legendary tattoo artists Chris Garver and Clay Decker. This is where Kat Von D found her home. She knew tattooing was not just an art form, but a passion and a calling. She was finally able to do exactly what she wanted with her life. This trio of artists brought much overdue fame to the L.A. shop.

Her notoriety from working at True Tattoo gave Kat Von D her big break. In 2005, she was asked to fill in for injured tattoo artist Darren Brass in the first season of TLC's Miami Ink, a reality television show based on the day-to-day events at Miami Beach, Florida tattoo shop. However, a falling out with one of the shops artists, Ami James, led to Kat Von D abruptly leaving the show. But Kat was not dismayed.

Soon after, she returned to Los Angeles and opened up her own parlor, High Voltage Tattoo, which was also the setting for her new reality show, L.A. Ink, also seen on TLC. The Miami Ink spin-off hit the airwaves in August 2007 and was a big success. During its premiere, the show averaged 2.9 million viewers. Clients include:

• Lamar Odum, of the Los Angeles Lakers
• Members of Guns N' Roses
• Actor Jesse Metcalfe
• TV personality Steve-O
• Comedienne Margaret Cho
• Actor Tom Green
• Blake Lewis, of American Idol season six
• Members of Slayer
• Members of Green Day
• Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe

Besides being a tattoo artist and reality television star, the Kat Von D bio also boasts that she designs her own line of makeup and perfume for Sephora. In 2009, she also released a book, High Voltage Tattoo, which showcases her tattoos and artwork.

In 2003, she wed fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck, however, the couple divorced in 2007. Afterward, she was linked romantically to musicians Alex "Orbi" Orbison and Nikki Sixx.

• She was ranked number 62 on Maxim's Hot 100 list in 2008.
• Kat Von D collects vintage designer clothing and platform shoes.
• She holds the Guinness World Record for the most tattoos given by a single individual in a 24-hour period: 400.

You can follow Kat online at any one of her websites or social networks:

• Personal website
• MySpace
• Facebook

• Kelly Osbourne Pics
• Kourtney Kardashian Pics
• Lauren Conrad Pics

• What Couples are Still Together from The Bachelor
• Rock of Love Bus
• CBS Survivor Application
• Kate Gosselin
• Jon and Kate Plus Eight