Miami Ink

With ever-increasing popularity among celebrities and athletes, tattoos have become part of the fabric of social norms and popular culture. But there are striking differences between cute little flowers and cookie-cutter Celtic bands compared to the more intricate, stylized and meaningful artwork that is also done in the tattoo industry. The MIAMI INK series brings four old friends together to run a tattoo parlor and showcase their artwork, allowing viewers to see that difference firsthand.

TLC takes viewers inside the colorful, painful, intriguing world of tattoo artistry in MIAMI INK. In the series, these friends and competitive rivals - a motley crew of cutting-edge, humorous and well-regarded young guys and best friends - run a custom tattoo parlor where they live, work and play together. The resident artists - Ami James, Chris Nunez, Chris Garver and Darren Brass - all have world-class talent and dynamic personalities - living and working together to promote the art of tattoo. (Kat Von D appeared as a full time artist for two seasons on the show until she left to create her own show, L.A. Ink.) MIAMI INK shows them in and out of their workspace and follows their late-night shenanigans, brotherly hazing and camaraderie. Apprentice-turned-full-time tattoo artist Yoji Harada is there to soak up all of the artists' knowledge and experience while embarking upon his own experience as a newfound tattoo artist.

In addition to spotlighting the artists at work, each tattoo in MIAMI INK has a story to tell, a reason for being and a special relationship to its owner. The artists' clients range from 18-year-old newbies and suburban housewives to famous actors and buttoned-up professionals. The tale of each tattoo recipient and corresponding tattoo is emotionally engaging, with many people getting tattoos to signify some pivotal moment or event in their lives. Viewers gain insight into each MIAMI INK customer, their choice of artwork and the impetus behind it. MIAMI INK began filming its fourth season in April 2008.

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