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"SILVER SPRING, Md., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- For centuries the tattoo industry has been dominated by men. In TLC's new series LA INK (premiering Tuesday, August 7th at 10 PM ET/PT), the glass ceiling is shattered as three of the most respected female tattoo artists, along with one legendary male artist, come together to work at the newest and hottest tattoo shop in LA. Joining shop owner Kat Von D at LA INK are renowned tattoo artists Kim Saigh, Hannah Aitchison and Kat's mentor, Corey Miller. The shop manager holding everything together is Kat's good friend, Pixie. With the majority of the artists in the shop being woman, LA INK shows that great art shares no gender bias.

The shop, which Kat recently opened in Hollywood, will have a distinct rock-n-roll flavor reflecting the owner's personal style. Filled with gorgeous black and white photography and memorabilia signed by legendary rock artists and professional athletes, LA INK has a glam-rock feel that is inviting to celebrities, athletes, rockers and regular people alike. Following the lead set by their boss, Kat Von D, these tattoo artists (and shop manager) play by their own rules and live a fast-paced, rebel lifestyle. They set their own schedule, pick their clients, sleep late and party all night long. Together, the cast of LA INK will share their lives showing the culture and stories behind tattoos.

Through TLC's hit series MIAMI INK, artist Kat Von D tattooed her way onto the world's stage, becoming one of the most talked about and sought after tattoo artists on the planet. Throughout her 11-year career, Kat has worked alongside men, not only surviving, but thriving. Now, after leaving Miami for her home-town of LA, she is realizing a dream by opening up her first business.

Kat Von D, 25, was one of the featured artists on the first two seasons of MIAMI INK, which has traveled the globe, airing in many countries including Japan, Australia, Brazil and England. TLC's season two finale, which aired on May 8th was watched by over 3,000,000 people*. Kat specializes in fine-line, black & gray style life-like portraits. In more than a decade of being a professional tattoo artist she has amassed a devout following including over 435,000 friends on her myspace.com page and thousands more checking her out at TLC.com/LA-Ink. In addition, many celebrities, athletes and entertainers seek out her services such as Jackass' Bam Margera; Steve-O and Ryan Dunn; Slayer; My Chemical Romance; Guns N Roses; Green Day; The Mars Volta; Eve and Mira Sorvino.

Joining Kat at her new shop is Corey Miller, a legend in the industry. Tattooing for 25 years, this California native has inked people all around the world from Japan and Amsterdam to Hawaii and Paris. He specializes in black & gray portraits and dragons that merge the traditional and classic styles with his own. A true master, Corey is known for his freehand work, drawing the image directly onto the skin, foregoing any stencil. He has an extensive client list, including celebrities like James Hetfield from Metallica, Jason Giambi of the NY Yankees and Jesse James. In his spare time, this married father of three enjoys playing the drums.

A fanatical yoga practitioner, tattoo artist Kim Saigh takes a lot of the teachings of the discipline and puts it into her art. Allegorical and illustrative works that express movement and flow dominate Kim's portfolio. Tattooing professionally for 16 years, Kim first got her start in her native Cleveland, moving to Chicago and opening her first shop a few years later. Kim now splits her time between LA and Chicago but always has her black Persian cat, Geezer with her.

Hannah Aitchison has been tattooing for over nine years. Specializing in bold, colorful, illustrative works including life-like portraits, pin-ups and classic Americana, Hannah enjoys a technical challenge in the tattoos she creates. A single mom, Hannah worked two and three jobs while apprenticing just to support her daughter. When not tattooing or spending time with her daughter, Hannah enjoys painting, knitting, boxing and traveling.

LA INK shop manager, Pixie loves to surround herself with bright, colorful, "yummy" things. Judging by the elaborate, colorful tattoos of cupcakes, Care Bears and other assorted "happy" visions, and intense body modifications that adorn her body, Pixie has a zest for life. The former Fear Factor game show winner is a Pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish), loves animals and lives in Los Angeles with her two pitbulls, Cup Cake and Chopper, and her cat, Monkey. Before moving to LA four years ago, Pixie was a body piercer at a tattoo shop in Minnesota. These days, when not working at the shop she is a freelance make up artist."

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GAH.

TLC (same as Miami Ink), the article says, UglyInOrbit. 

I am glad to see an estrogen-filled shop (similar ratio of women to men in my shop.  Hopefully they love eachother, as much as we all do!) on television.  I like Kat.s work, and I look forward to seeing the show.

Edited by Nicoleslavich - June/28/2007 at 1:02pm

This is sweet. Kat was the coolest one on Miami ink, the shop owner is a dickhead.

This show will be way cooler.

I am gonna be politcally incorrect for a few minutes, and say who cares about this.... you dont see men making the news for doing jobs that are predominately done by women......

And though this article isn't completely about this, the idea of those all women tattoo conventions, or all women suspension gatherings or all women shops, smacks of gender bias to me. If anything was ever a man 'event' women would be screaming from the pulpits about the negative effects of such things. It is the same in my opinion as making programs or events based on skin color.

Who cares that she is a woman, either she is good or she isn't, and deserves no extra kudos because she is a woman. There are TONS of good male artists that never get this kind of exposure. I hate terms like 'one of the best female artist', why qualify the statement with sex. How is she compared to the industry as a whole, thats what matters. Yes Kat is a very talented tattooist, but she doesnt get bonus points for not having a penis.

The lack of women in the industry is obvious, but just cause you are a woman who is, doesnt make you special.... either you belong in the biz or you don't, when there are more women that do, you will see more female tattoo artist plain and simple

I have worked with women artist, and even took a female apprentice, but she never got any special consideration for being female, she got the position because she was capable.

/endrant