Go big or go home : taking risks in life, love, and tattooing

With passion and unflinching honesty, renowned tattoo artist and New York Times bestselling author Kat Von D chronicles her journey to develop personal strength by taking bigger risks in life, love, and art in this stunning illustrated work. In her most intensely personal project, she writes candidly about her desires, fears, successes, and failures, sharing how she has navigated them. Through seven thematic essays, she explores individuality, strength, creativity, independence, presence, wisdom, and altruism, drawing on inspiring stories from her life and her clients. Emphasizing risk-taking and bold moves, Kat commits to creating only large-scale tattoos for this book, each symbolizing a significant event or a manifestation of the client’s evolving inner self. The book is filled with her sketches, handwriting, and specially commissioned photographs of tattoos—both in process and completed—showcasing astounding work on regular citizens and celebrities alike, including Linda Perry, Billie Joe Armstrong, Ewan McGregor, Game, and Bobcat Goldthwait. Ultimately, this special work captures the candor, compassion, and immense talent of an artist beloved by millions worldwide.