Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing

by Kat Von D.

Renowned tattoo artist, author of New York Times bestsellers High Voltage Tattoos and The Tattoo Chronicles, and star of LA Ink, Kat Von D raises the bar with her most intimate work yet: Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing.

Kat has always been a risk-taker in her day-to-day life, her creative work, and in love. In Go Big or Go Home, she writes candidly about her greatest desires, fears, successes and failures, and shares how she has dealt with them. In seven thematic essays, Kat addresses issues close to her heart—such as individuality, independence, and altruism—and draws upon her own experiences and those of her many clients.

Filled with Kat's sketches, handwriting, drawings of tattoos, and process photos, as well as specially commissioned photographs of the finished large-scale tattoos by celebrity and fashion photographer Patrick Hoelck, Go Big or Go Home covers a wide range of her astounding work on regular citizens, as well as the many celebrities who seek her out her artistry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Art, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Pop Culture

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Kat Von D (born Katherine Von Drachenberg) is a Mexican-born American tattoo artist and television personality. She is best known for her work as a featured tattoo artist on the TLC reality television show Miami Ink. A subsequent TLC series LA Ink, premiered August 7, 2007 in the United States and November 11, 2007 in the UK.

Reviews

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Kat Von D's previous two books and loving them, I had an expectation that I would love this one as well. It started out good and really strong, I was excited… that is until she started with the mentions of her struggles with learning to sing. Throughout the book, I felt she disrupted the flow by constantly looking for ways to mention her music and singing time and time again. It became awkward, somewhat uncomfortable, and extremely irritating. Halfway through the book I found myself asking, "Did I take out a book about the music career she so desperately wants?" She literally could not stop mentioning it. I can't say it was all bad though. On a positive note, the stories regarding the tattoos and the people receiving them were as always, fascinating. Not to mention, the photos of Kat and the overall design of the book was absolutely beautiful. I just wish she would have talked about her music and singing in one chapter and then left it alone. I found it obnoxious that she wouldn't move on and eventually became so repetitive on her thoughts regarding the matter. So disappointed.

[Juliette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm. So, I'll admit that I've now read three (!), yes three books by Kat Von D. As far as reality stars go, Von D has managed to maintain both disastrous romances and successful businesses. She has produced three books, a clothing line, a perfume and makeup line at Sephora, and now (gulp): an upcoming album. This book isn't a memoir, really, and unlike her last tome dedicated to celebrity clients and the dark & moody Nikki Sixx, she avoids dishing on her last relationship/Jesse James. If you are at all curious about this book, you should know it's part self-help art/life advice, part celebrity tattoo clients, and part thinly veiled journal entries to an almost lover with whom she admired from afar for over a decade and has now let go. Uh, ok. To be fair, there are several moments where Von D seems genuinely grateful for the success and money she's earned, and also seems to try to be kind to others. However, her narcissism towards her upcoming debut album is sort of delusional and annoying. The photos of Kat are very pretty, if you like that sort of thing. In closing, as a public school teacher on summer vacation, I will fully admit to reading junky pop-culture books from the library for fun. Oh, and did you know that Kat Von D has an album coming out? No? Well, be sure to read her book to learn more, as it is clearly a major news event.

[Mollie Connelly-MacNeill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, 4.5. As a lover of tattoos and the practice of tattooing, I always have to check up on Kat Von D every once in a while. Her awesome show turned lukewarm by it's 3rd season, and I thought I knew the character of Kat Von D pretty well at that point. However, this book really impressed me. While some of her writing can be generic, I was very impressed with it. It was really cool seeing that a TLC celebrity a) reads books b) practices meditation, and is well-versed in the subject c) is tattooed and gorgeous d) opened up a local art gallery, and most importantly, e) writes constantly about her self improvement goals. Having beat alcoholism, having dumped numerous sucky boyfriends, having had her house burn down, etc and all she writes about is becoming a better person and wanting to help others. It's also really neat to read about what people got which tats and why. It's pretty inspiring actually. Yay for a young female celebrity that has interests and a personality!!!

[Caoilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't lie, though there is not much text in this book I couldn't bring myself to read more then just the first page. The whining tone of her wish to sing was enough to put me off. I personally suffer with both depression and anxiety, perhaps that is why her tone put me off. I did enjoy both the tattoos and the illustrations. I did try to read the piece about Ewan McGregor's tattoo but it wasn't long before it became about Kat again and I gave up and continued to appreciate the tattoos and other art.

[Kristijonas .Lotiukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Time: Kat Von D „Go Big or Go Home “

Well, I do not know how much you are into USA celebrity biographies, but this one is about a tattoo artist Kat Von D, who has her own tattoo salon, reality tv show and now is an influencer (well, who is not?).

Renowned tattoo artist, author of New York Times bestsellers High Voltage Tattoos and The Tattoo Chronicles, and star of LA Ink, Kat Von D raises the bar with her most intimate work yet: Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing.

Anyway, regarding the book, it has very beautiful art work and lots of pictures with tattoo ideas.
Regarding the text.

It is some sorts of biography of Kat Von D, since she shares her past, present and future plans. There are stories about people she gave tattoos to, in which she shares their experiences, path to happiness and why they came to her for the ink.

I love, that there are some poems that she had written.
I would like to thank my girlfriend for giving me this book.

Would recommend for an easy read and for tattoo ideas.

Rating:
7/10

[Kalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is primarily an inspirational/artistic coffee table book. It is a quick read, with most of the book interspersed with full page spreads of the tattoos that correlate with the stories she tells.

Kat alternates between three themes: poetic allusions to her past relationship with Nikki Sixx, her personal struggle with confidence through a burgeoning music career, and inspirational stories of tattoo clients. I found this to be a feel-good, beach read option that is great for my busy life and allowed me to pick it up now and again for read a story or segment at a time in passing. I additionally loved the glossy artwork and manuscript style entries which read much like diary entries. I found the book very inspirational, particularly for more artistic, introverted types. However if you are looking for a story/novel with a more defined structure, this is not it.

[Cleptovirgo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good artistic table book. More of a quick read and interesting display piece to flip through for a few minutes. The majority is made up of showcasing tattoos and other artwork that emphasize certain qualities like strength, wisdom, etc.

However, there are many quotable insights inside that simultaneously hit home while also humanizing a celebrity whose personality differs greatly from what is presented in the public eye. It's well-written (albeit a little all over the place), inspiring, and entertaining, but also a /very/ fast read.

Overall, I think it's a quick, touching memoir that is also very visually pleasing, i.e. a good artistic table book.

[Diana Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually skip reviewing books on goodreads but this one moved me so much. I've gotten into tattoos recently and some of the people the artist has tattooed reminded me of what I'm going through right now. It was such an inspiration reading this book especially now that I'm practically eating, sleeping and breathing tattoos. I'd recommend this read if you're into tattoos.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more books by Kat Von D… She is real and one of a kind. She is a true talent and if you’re looking for a good book pick this one up and check it out!

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the art and I wish that there was more of it and that there were more techniques on how Kat Von D stores her artwork and tattoos and line drawings. I really enjoyed the show and it was cool to see the stories behind a lot of the tattoos and people that got them.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at the same time as the first Kat Von D artwork book. This book has more tattoos and their meanings for her clients versus personal stories. This book definitely felt more detached from her than the first.

[Kevin Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as her other books but it is still a nice light read and the way the book is laid out with great photos and art never misses in the eyecandy department. It’s a well made beautiful book regardless of how it compares to the others.

[Teresa Cuneo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire the authors use of creative expression. I hope she continues to write.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great Kat, you have a lot of famous friends that you tattoo and honestly you make their “stories” bland. Meh.

[Lucía · Rating 2 out of 5]

tatuó a un agente de policía, ACAB!

[Danielle Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat Von D has always been an inspiration to me, with her dedication to herself and what she loves, her thirst for knowledge, and just her overall awesomeness. To be perfectly frank, I envied her for a long time and because of that I read both of her first books almost instantly after they came out, and the review I am about to give for this one is easily the review I would give for all three.

What I love about this book is that it is not all about tattoos, but it is also not all about her personal life. It's a perfect mix of the two. The stories she tells that are both her own and the people she has permanently marked are not only interesting, but an uplifting reminder that no matter who you are or where you stand emotionally, your life will only be as fulfilling as you allow it to be and it is your sole duty to battle the fear and insecurities that hold is all back and ultimately do whatever makes you happiest.

Of course the tattoos are stunning and the way the whole book is set up makes it more of a piece of art than anything, but I have to admit it let me down a little. I found myself flipping through some of the tattoo stories simply because they were boring, and I was expecting a few more people that I had actually heard of.

Also I found the book a little impersonal. It felt like she was trying to be honest but she was holding back and let's face it, in an autobiography you want all the nitty gritty details. She never told us the mysterious person she kept speaking of in single pages interspersed throughout the book that simply marked a year. And most importantly of all, she didn't tell us where she was now, in the present.

Overall, it was a good book, it just didn't hold up to my expectations. I would recommend tot to someone who is a fan of hers, but not without warning them about how I felt about it, and I don't think people that aren't fans of hers would enjoy it. Sorry, Kat.

[Ivaiah Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Von D has been one of my heroes since I stumbled across her show on Netflix nearly four years ago, now. She was an example of individuality and the courage to fight the norm that I didn't get much of in my small Kansas town. I knew I would eventually get tattooed from the time I was about three and realized that my pen would work on my skin. But I was always petrified of what everyone, especially my conservative parents, would say. She was the first real example of a heavily tattooed female I'd ever seen and she helped me realize that you should be who you are no matter what others think.

Those same themes that made her my hero are what this amazing book is all about. It was so much more than I expected and taught me more than I thought it would. I'm really happy I picked this up and I think it's something everyone should read. The book was really well written and I adored the unique formatting. The pictures were also stunning, and getting to see a bit more into her life and the things she's learned was awesome. This definitely shoot up to my top favorite books of all time, and I can't wait to read her others.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

score edited from 3 stars to 4 stars on this re-read some years later (2022).

First time round I found this lacking compared to her previous two books, with more focus on her own life, rather than the art.
Now it's grown on me. As ever, this is filled full of beautiful tattoos, exquisite artwork, and flowing script.

...I don't know how I missed who 'V' was on my first read, especially as I'm a huge HIM fan. In retrospect it is so obvious who she is writing about and to in the cryptic passages and dedication.

My favourite part are still the fascinating personal stories behind each piece of art.
I do like that each chapter focuses on a personal value.
Part journal, with a real heart-wrenching account of her house fire.

While I thought some of the stories were sullied by my knowing the drama that was to come in Kat's relationships her now former friends, I think this adds another layer to this book. It's as autobiographical as it is, advice on life, and a study on the art of tattooing.
It was well worth a second read, and is pretty enough as a coffee table book to flip through the art and photography.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of stories, illustrations and photos involving tattoos. There were many quotes that I was able to relate to, including:

"I never found the companion that was as companionable as solitude."
-Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

"If I won't be myself, who will?"
-Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock: Interviews, 2003

"Being strong is about surrendering to the moment and accepting it; if you can deal with a situation openly and honestly, you can open the door to peace."
-Kat Von D

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life, 1860

"Creativity is an act of defiance"
-Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit, 2003

"We have a frequency in us that lets us recognize great art when we experience it. Great art awakens a spiritual part of ourselves."
-Kat Von D

"When we feel strong enough to be our true selves, then we have the power to express ourselves uniquely."
-Kat Von D

"Confine yourself to the present."
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, AD 167

[Lady Makaveli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kat Von D- she stands out and is not afraid to be herself. Those who have only seen her on TV seem to have the complete wrong impression of her. She is a beautiful, giving, complex soul and I read this book at a time in my life when I needed uplifting, when I needed to find a reason, to find strength to fight past my fears.

In this book she reveals her own struggle with these exact same topics! When I began reading it I was blown away not only at her words, but at the timing in which I read them. If you need encouragement to believe in yourself, in your dreams; if you've lost hope and are searching to find the fighter in you that you somehow have lost- this is by far the book for you.

Not to mention the artwork is wonderful :-)

[Ema Mele · Rating 2 out of 5]

A když už jsem byla ve švunku, přečetla jsem si i druhý deníček Kat Von D. Tenhle pojednává o tom, kterak pro ni a o ní Ville Valo napsal texty na překrásnou desku Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, a Kat místo aby naskočila na letadlo, zabydlela se v té jeho prokleté helsinské věži na břehu moře a porodila wannabe Baudelairovi deset dětí - což by udělala každá příčetná bytost -, ona usoudila, že větší smysl bude dávat, když se naučí zpívat, aby milému Villemu taky napsala, nazpívala a vydala desku. Chm. Soudě z pár záznamů jejího zpěvu to nebyl úplně nejlépe investovaný čas. You Got It Wrong, slovy Lauriho Ylönena. Ale coby múze jí náleží veškerý kredit, protože taková Katherine Wheel je klenot finského love metalu. A kniha je vizuálně krásná.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite

I find Kat to be such a well-spoken individual. In this book, in particular, she shows that she has fears, reserves and doubts, just like everybody else. But she finds ways to guide herself through all that; with the help of others and even strengthening her own willpower.
I admire her so much for her work, her art, her approach to pretty much everything in her life.
I admire the way she shares these intimate recounts of tattoo sessions and how her entries venture further into herself.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as I have her others. I feel that they are all different and show how her art, personality and being evolve.

[Mary Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the stories about the tattoos she did and her relationship with the people who got the tattoos (plus her thoughts about art) but I could have done without the self-help preachy-ness that permeates the whole thing. She's definitely not as spiritual as she thinks she is, that or I'm just too cynical towards all this "you can do it!" stuff she's talking about. But yeah, the only thing keeping this from being a one star are the tattoo stories and the big, pretty pictures.

[Monathechameleon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book last year but as a new member to goodreads I find the need to review it. As a mega Kat Von D fan and tattoo enthusiast I had to read this. I have not read Kat's other books but I plan to soon. First of all this book has an absolutely beautiful cover. This book is a great coffee table book because of all the lovely pictures. It was great getting to read about Kat Von D's tattoo adventures. I loved seeing the stories behind each tattoo. All in all it was a lovely book.

[Samantha Harwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Kat Von D's other books and watched LA Ink, not because I partake in getting tattoos, but because I enjoy learning about the reasons behind peoples tattoos and I appreciate the art involved. The other 2 books really go in to that and I feel that this third book is more about Kat, not a bad thing, but I guess I just like a light read about the art and reasoning as opposed to the depth which Kat explores.

[Jessyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was good. I love reading her books because I like to kind of enter her mind. This was one of those books I could have sat and read in a day did I not have such a crazy hectic life.

The pictures are breathtaking. At least to me. I love the way the book is put together. I love tattoos & I love Kat so this book was top notch.

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave the 3 stars for her tattoos which made me want to have some big bucks so she could do the several portrait tats I want done. The writing...blah! It just doesn't come across as sincere; it's like she writes what she thinks others would like to read. And the elephant in the room never materialized...I was waiting for her to mention jesse james, even if he was "veiled".

[Jessie Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Von d is one of my favourite people on the planet! A gorgeous, inspiring, talented, beautiful lady who teaches me and inspires me so much. This book is for people who are sometimes afraid to take risks and have some self-doubt and she really helps to overcome those doubts. Kat is truly amazing and this book is purely amazing. You should definitely give it a shot.

[Ruca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting the book, I didn't understand why it regarded all of her clients with minuscule fillings of her own story. Towards the end, I loved it. It made so much sense to me. She completely warped these individual tattoo-biographies into her own story & ended with the mental-visual of her finale. I loved it. Very well written & the art was unbelievable. Two thumbs up.

[Alayna Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this third book by Kat Von D because not only does she share stories about the tattoos and people behind them, but she gets personal and talks about her own struggles as well as successes. I was able to relate with her insecurities and always wondering if you're "good enough." I borrowed this book from the library, but I will be buying my own copy soon.