At the conclusion of the previous season of TLC’s wildly popular tattooing reality series, Miami Ink, viewers were saddened to peep 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 near…LA Ink. That’s right, Kat was moving back to LA, her hometown, and starting her occupy parlor and point to. 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 mighty 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 area 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 weak 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 inaugurate airing Tuesday nights at 10/9c starting in just a few weeks on August 7th. The premiere season of the series is set to run 13 weeks wrapping up October 30th.
