TLC Preps for Miami Ink Spin-off -- LA Ink

Can Kat Von D Match the Success of Miami Ink with Her Own Show?

Brian Harmon, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jul 25, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

At the conclusion of the previous season of TLC's wildly popular tattooing reality series, Miami Ink, viewers were saddened to see stylish tattoo artist Kat Von D being asked to leave Miami Ink by its founder, Ami James. However, after the season finale wrapped, a quick promo aired giving viewers a taste of what was to come...LA Ink. That's right, Kat was moving back to LA, her hometown, and starting her own parlor and show. That's about all the info we were given, until now.

Recently, TLC.com has posted info, interviews, video clips, and even a pinup calendar devoted to the much anticipated LA Ink. Fans of Miami Ink will know that the show is basically a reality-drama series centering on the art of tattooing. Each week, the artists consult clients, ink designs, talk about stories behind the tattoos, and have their day-to-day lives taped. La Ink promises to be much the same with a few distinctions to separate it from Miami Ink.

First, LA Ink is obviously set in Los Angeles California. This is Kat Von D's hometown and is a hotbed for tattooing culture. According to TLC.com, we should also be prepared to watch some higher profile clientele being inked in Kat's shop. "Celebrities, rising starlets, punk rockers, musicians and tattoo collectors alike are lining up for some of Kat's famous black and grey ink." This tease has left viewers with baited breath waiting to see who will walk through the doors at Kat's new parlor.

Next, viewers of Miami Ink will know that the artists there consisted of 4 guys and 1 lady, Kat. As is the fashion of Kat wanting to do things her own way, LA Ink is the complete opposite. LA Ink boasts an atypical cast of artists, 4 female and 1 male. Including Kat, be prepared to see the work of Kim, Pixie, Hannah and Corey.

Kim Saigh is said to be crazy for yoga and applies many of its ideals to her work ethic and art. A 16 year tattooing veteran, Kim has worked in Cleveland and Chicago before LA. Pixie, a former body piercer, is a vibrant edition to the cast. Miami Ink devotees may remember her from an episode where she had Kat ink a colorful array of candies and cupcakes on her. Pixies main job will be shop manager. Next up is Hannah Aitchison. She's been inking for 9 years and is proficient in a wide variety of tattooing styles including illustration, realistic portraits, classic Americana, and pin-ups. Finally, Corey Miller is legendary in the tattoo industry. Tattooing for 25 years, Corey feels confident to freehand directly onto the skin as opposed to using the traditional stencil method.

With Kat's rebellious attitude and party-happy nature, viewers should expect a more relaxed parlor atmosphere in LA Ink. However, according to TLC.com, if Kat wants her studio to be a success she'll have to find a balance between her partying ways and the hard reality that owning and running a tattoo shop takes a lot of planning, organization, and commitment.

I guess we will just have to tune in and see if Kat Von D and her cast are able to pull it off. LA Ink will begin airing Tuesday nights at 10/9c starting in just a few weeks on August 7^th. The premiere season of the series is set to run 13 weeks wrapping up October 30^th.

Published by Brian Harmon

I am an art teacher in the public school system. I am father of an awesome baby. I'm very concerned with healthy foods and raising a health consious child. Overall, I have a passion for art, music, health... View profile

Resources

tlc.discovery.com/tv/la-ink/la-ink.html

Yahoo! Voices

TLC Preps for Miami Ink Spin-off -- LA Ink

Can Kat Von D Match the Success of Miami Ink with Her Own Show?

38 Comments

Yahoo! Voices

Also on Yahoo!

Yahoo! Contributor Network