When it comes to tattoo artists, few people are as recognizable in the industry as Kat Von D.
However, with the year of controversy Kat’s had, it’s easy to forget what made the 37-year-old famous in the first place.
Back in May, accusations began to fly after Kat made a questionable Instagram post in which fans felt she was alluding to being anti-vax.
At the same time, Kat was also facing backlash from fans who believed that she was anti-Semitic after a signed 8×10 head shot of hers with racial slurs resurfaced online.
The tattoo artist released a video to clarify that she did not identify as a Nazi or as an anti-vaxxer.
She started off by explaining that during her “Miami Ink” days, she was being hazed by a male co-star, who was threatened by her success.
He not only assaulted her, but also forged her signature on the racist 8×10 photo.
She claimed he then brought it to the media’s attention because she was getting her own spinoff show, “L.A Ink.”
She also claimed that the accusations were “extremely offensive and super hurtful.”
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She then addressed the accusations that she was an anti-vaxxer.
“I am not an anti-vaxxer. What I am is a first-time mother,” she said.
“I read everything, from ingredients in food to cleaning supplies and medicines.”
“After doing a bunch of research and reading the ingredients, naturally, I experienced some hesitancy,” she added.
She said that if she had known that so many people would have been let down with her initial statement, she never would have shared it.
She says that since then, she has decided to consult with a pediatrician, and listen to his guidance.
“Unlike before, I have learned my lesson, and I am choosing not to make our decision — or any of our baby’s health records — public,” she added.
Since then, Kat has tried to focus on her cosmetics line and her one-year-old son, Leafar.
And tattoos, of course,
Recently, Kat shared her new blackout style tattoo with her 7 million Instagram followers.
“I’m so in love with my new blacked out arm tattooed by @hoode215!” she wrote.
“Can’t believe it only took him 1.5 hours – and it’s the most consistent, true black I have ever seen!”
A blackout style tattoo refers to large portions of skin being filled in with black ink.
In a since-deleted comment , Kat said she went with the blackout style to remove some old “crappy” tattoos.
“Having it all blacked out so beautifully looks so clean and smooth and I love that!” she said.
“PS. it’s all good if you don’t like my tattoo, because I do!” she clarified with fans.
Despite saying she didn’t mind the criticism, Kat had to make a second Insta post to address the hate she was getting for her blackout tattoo.
“Having been in the tattoo industry for the greater part of my life, I’ve seen countless tattoos of all types of styles — but NEVER have I felt inspired to tell anyone ‘that’s ugly’ or ‘you’re stupid.’ Tattoos are funny in the sense that ultimately it is one of the most intimately personal things we can do for ourselves,” she started .
“But even though tattoos are an outward expression, they really aren’t for anyone else other than the person wearing it.”
She continued, “With that being said, I do love sharing and giving the world a window into aspects of my life — especially when it involves something/someone that inspires me. But just because I choose to share my experiences, it shouldn’t be an invitation for such negativity.”
“Yes, I did decide to black out a large portion of old, crappy tattoos on my arm that I posted yesterday, and regardless of what people might think about it, I absolutely LOVE how simple and clean it looks now.”
“So, to respond to a lot of the noise that clogged up my comment section in my last post:
•No, it doesn’t matter that you don’t like the way my arm looks. To each their own.
•No, this isn’t bad for my health [but thank you for caring!] When done correctly, tattoos don’t penetrate passed the second dermis layer of skin. During the healing process, our skin naturally filters out any excess pigment through our pores. And no, there is no lead, plastics, toxins in the professional-grade tattoo pigments that we use. Nowadays you can even find vegan-friendly pigments that works just as well, too.
•No, this isn’t a lazy attempt at a coverup. It actually takes an extremely skilled artist that specializes in blacking out tattoos.
•Before you label something “ugly” or “horrible” try to remember that beauty is subjective. Your idea of a dream tattoo, might be someone else’s idea of a nightmare.”
She then shared a series of blackout tattoos done by the artist who did hers.
“Even if it’s something you would never get, there’s no denying the simplistic esthetic to this style of tattooing really is beautiful in its own way,” she concluded.
What do you think of Kat’s blackout tattoo?
Let us know in the comments below!
