Speakeasy with 'LA Ink's' Kat Von D (1)

Unlike reality shows that revolve around big hair and elimination ceremonies, TLC's "LA Ink" follows the life and art of tattooist Kat Von D. A stint in South Beach on the network's "Miami Ink" garnered Von D enough of a following to return home for her own spin-off in 2007. From her shop's bubble-gum pink walls to her facial tattoos and rock star boyfriend (Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx — OK maybe there is some big hair happening here), she's made a name for herself as a tough-as-nails girly girl. Von D recently published High Voltage Tattoo, which details the former runaway's tumultuous rise to fame and shares her unique view of the tattoo world. Von D appears at the Buckhead Barnes and Noble Mon., Feb. 23.

Now that your book is on the shelves, what other artistic projects do you have in the works?

Taking up oil painting. So I’ve been doing a lot of that, a lot of photography. I just invested a bunch of money into these fancy ass sewing machines, so I’ve wanted to start making some clothes and whatnot. And then been talking about coming out with a high-end shoe line, like a platform heel type stuff. There’s definitely another book in the projects. And, obviously, I tattoo almost every day, so it’s pretty busy.