Tattoos are permanent, television shows are not. After three years of production, saturated toilet seats, infamous “Kat” fights, and a shitload of tattoos, Miami Ink is hanging it up.

Its fourth and final season is now airing on TLC, but the tattoo artists, and the shop itself, have already moved on. The famous studio has been converted into a gift shop, and customers still looking to get inked are directed to a new studio MI alumni Ami James and Chris …

Tattoos used to be symbols of rebellion and radical means to promote individuality, and while those things still hold true today, it is obvious that the tattoo industry has drastically changed.

The reality show craze of the past five years has sparked a movement within a movement – reality shows centered on tattooing. Our two favorite tattoo reality shows, and TV’s most popular, are TLC’s Miami Ink and the spin-off LA Ink.

While many shows on TV …

Kat Von D of Miami Ink

She’s the queen of portraits, and quite possibly one of the most talented artists alive today. She did her first tattoo at age 14 and started working as a tattoo artist at the young age of 16. Just take a look at her work…it’s absolutely phenomenal.

Miami Ink’s Kat Von D is the one who sees the realism behind the …

Both the name for the tattoo shop as well as the reality show on TLC, Miami Ink is a prime catalyst for the mainstream direction the tattoo industry is heading. The shop is co-owned by Ami James and Chris Nunez, and featured artists working at the shop include Chris Garver, Darren Brass, Yoji Harada and Kat Von D.

Miami Ink is a huge success as both a television show and tattoo shop mainly because every tattoo enthusiast has a …