Celeb Tattoo Artist Kat Von D 'Makes Her Mark' with Dunlop

L.A. Ink Star Hosts 'Maxxed Out' Awards, Signs Autographs

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 23 -- One of the top female artists in the tattoo world is joining Dunlop Tires next week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Kat Von D, star of L.A. Ink, a spinoff of the Miami Ink TLC show, appears Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. in the Dunlop booth (#41427) to announce the tire brand's "Maxxed Out Awards" and the opportunity to win a unique Kat Von D-designed tattoo. She will sign autographs from 1-3 p.m.

Von D -- short for Von Drachenberg -- will ink her creation on a lucky SEMA-goer at her shop, High Voltage Tattoo in West Hollywood, Calif. Entries are available at the Dunlop booth in Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall.

Von D is no stranger to tattoos. Her first tattoo came at age 14, an old English J, a memento of an early love. That started it all, and her friends, amazed by her natural art ability, encouraged her to get to work on them. Two years later, in 1998, she began working in her first professional shop, Sin City Tattoo, in her neighborhood San Bernardino, Calif.

Her big break came in Hollywood at True Tattoo and the chance to work with artists Clay Decker and Chris Garver. It also gave her the opportunity to live in the heart of the city she loves, Los Angeles. This was a great place for Von D to sharpen her skills.

Gary Medalis, general manager for Dunlop Tires, said Von D's appearance in the Dunlop booth takes the brand's efforts to a new level. "While we've successfully promoted our brand with tattoos at SEMA the past two years, we feel Kat Von D will drive excitement around Dunlop tattoos to an even higher level."

More than 50 true Dunlop devotees have received tattoos ranging from "Flying-D" logos to stylized tread patterns. Hundreds more were put on waiting lists.

Dunlop will once again be tattooing SEMA attendees in the Dunlop booth. They can start registering for a free Dunlop tattoo on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. in the Dunlop booth. Las Vegas tattoo artists Antonio Martinez and Justin McCroy will be available.