Tattoos

Tattoos By Kat Von D

“There were plenty of skaters with tattoos before me but no doubt about it, when I started getting tattooed in 1989 the door was kicked wide open and tattooing and skateboarding became synonymous with each other.”

“I first met and began getting tattooed by Kat Von D in early 2007. The tattoos she has done for me are so far above and beyond any of the other tattoos I’ve ever gotten that at this point I cannot imagine anyone else ever tattooing me again.”

“Kat Von D is the hottest and the best tattoo artist in the world.”

– Mike V

Family

“The first tattoo Kat did for me was the anchor on my left hand with the word “family” wrapped around it in a banner. The meaning of the tattoo is that I’m “anchored” by my family, my wife and daughters. They keep me grounded and focused on what really matters in my life.”

Glory Bound

“The Glory Bound tattoo across my collarbones signifies my attitude and my approach to life. I live in the moment, I live to win and thus I am always glory bound. It is not about some future destination or an after life. It’s about this life, right here, right now.”

Do or Die

“The Do or Die tattoo on my right hand again signifies my go for it attitude and lifestyle. This approach to living has served me well. Everyone dies but not everyone truly lives their lives to the fullest. The only way you can accomplish anything in this life is to go for it. I got the Glory Bound and Do or Die tattoos in the same session.”

Lucy and Emily Portraits

“I got the portraits of my daughters right before leaving for several long months of touring. I didn’t get them for me; I got them for them so that they would know I was always thinking of them and “carrying” them with me. This tattoo was filmed for an episode of LA Ink when Emily was 15 and Lucy was 5.”

Hooper

“When I was a kid I dreamed of being a stuntman. I loved the movie Hooper and Burt Reynolds was an early hero of mine. This movie has stood the test of time for me. It’s a classic and one of my favorite movies of all-time. Burt blowing the bubble is just too cool.”

Ace Frehley

“Another hero of my childhood, Ace Frehley was always the coolest member of KISS and along with Elvis Presley had a lot to do with my love for lightning bolt imagery. His ’78 KISS solo record is one of the best rock and roll records ever recorded and it has been in constant rotation throughout my life.”