Tattoo artist and former LA Ink star Kat Von D, real name Katherine Von Drachenberg, has revealed her dramatic transformation after covering roughly 80% of her body in solid black ink. Known previously for a colorful tapestry of tattoos, Von D decided to undergo this radical blackout ink project as part of a new chapter in her life.
Von D began the process in late 2020 and completed 17 sessions spanning nearly 40 hours. What started as an idea to blackout just one arm soon evolved into an intent to tattoo most of her body. She explained to Inked Magazine that she grew tired of constantly waking up to tattoos that reminded her of dark times, many linked to her past struggles including alcohol use.
The blackout tattoos have given Von D a “nice and clean” canvas that better reflects who she is today. She has also undergone laser removal for some tattoos she wanted to completely erase, including a rose on her neck.
Von D has kept fans updated with videos and photos from her sessions, including a recent visit to the Bone Museum in New York where she showed off her mostly blacked-out arms accompanied by her six-year-old child Leafar.
This reinvention comes a year after Von D successfully won a federal copyright lawsuit against photographer Jeffrey Sedlik. He had sued her in 2017, alleging that one of her tattoos, featuring a design of jazz legend Miles Davis, was copied from his 1989 photograph without permission. The jury ruled unanimously in Von D’s favor, recognizing her artwork as lawful.
While many followers admire her blackout ink for its aesthetics and symbolism, Von D has stated she is unsure if she will ever tattoo again, given the emotional toll of the lawsuit and her desire for this fresh start.
