Kat Von D Unveils Extensive Blackout Tattoo Transformation and New Album
Los Angeles, CA – Renowned tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and musician Kat Von D, 43, has unveiled a dramatic and extensive blackout tattoo transformation, a process nearly two years in the making. The striking reveal came as she celebrated the release of her new album, My Side of the Mountain, on Saturday, September 20, via a series of candid Instagram posts and track previews that showcased her evolving aesthetic.
Von D, whose real name is Katherine von Drachenberg, has embarked on a profound personal journey, opting to cover large portions of her body with solid black ink. This monumental undertaking began with the intention of obscuring numerous previous tattoos that she felt no longer resonated with her current identity. In October 2023, she shared a significant update with her followers, detailing that she was “about 80% done” with the blackout process, which had already involved an impressive 17 sessions and approximately 40 accumulative hours under the needle.
The “clean slate” motive behind her decision is deeply personal. Von D explained that while laser removal was considered, the sheer volume of tattoos she wished to remove made her an unsuitable candidate for that method. Instead, the blackout technique offered a powerful, immediate transformation. “Some people are fine with keeping these types of landmarks in time on them,” she noted previously. “I personally grew tired of waking up to them, and seeing those constant reminders every time I looked in a mirror… it is very satisfying to me to see a clean slate when I look down onto my arms.”
Her latest Instagram showcase for My Side of the Mountain offered fans an unprecedented look at the extent of this transformation. Dressed in a sleek leather ensemble featuring a black spaghetti-strap top, mini shorts, gloves, and knee-high boots, the ensemble strategically highlighted the new, dense black ink. Her arms appear almost entirely covered up to her shoulders, while her left leg features significant blackwork extending just above the knee. The black-out effect is also visible on the side of her torso and below her knees, creating a stark and bold contrast.
While much of her body is now a canvas of solid black, some intricate details remain or have been incorporated. Her right leg still prominently features a large illustration of a man in 1700s attire with a wig. Subtle symbols are also visible on her fingers. During previews for album tracks like “Dead,” “H.A.T.E.,” and “Truth in Reverse,” Von D offered closer glimpses of specific areas. Her arm tattoos, previously featuring a face and a triangle design, are now largely concealed. Her facial tattoos, including the iconic stars framing the left side of her face, remain, though one star directly under her eye now appears heavily shaded. Additional work on her neck, showcasing lips on one side and a leafy rose motif on the other, extends to her midsection with shadowed and outlined leaves, suggesting a blend of new designs with the overarching blackout theme.
This bold aesthetic shift coincides with her continued evolution as a musician, demonstrating Von D’s commitment to self-expression across multiple artistic fronts. The unveiling of her blackout tattoos is not merely a cosmetic change but a powerful statement of renewal and artistic intentionality.
