Katherine Drachenberg (born March 8, 1982), known professionally as Kat Von D and who has given her name as Katherine von Drachenberg in two German interviews is an American tattoo artist and television personality. Her father, René Drachenberg, is of German descent and her mother, Sylvia Galeano, is of Italian and Spanish descent. Von D was classically trained in piano beginning at age 6. She particularly appreciates Ludwig van Beethoven. She credits the prominent Latino culture of Los Angeles as being a major influence drawing tattoos in her art and style. Von D was asked to work at 305 Ink in Miami when Darren Brass broke his elbow, preventing him from tattooing. She appeared in the first four seasons of Miami Ink, the reality TV show taped there for the cable network TLC.
