Los Angeles is known not only as the “City of Angels,” but as a city of enhancement. Botox, silicone, saline, one can have anything lifted and injected to achieve a personal beauty ideal. This month’s Hot Ink, Kristen Wharton, manages to serve L.A. exceptionally well, but with a brand of ethereal beauty, and enhancement all her own. No silicone here. Her enhancement is skin deep, our favorite kind.

Kristen took the time to answer some questions and give us all a glimpse into the mind of a modern day, tattooed Goddess. Originally from San Diego, this signed model’s Western spirit is going strong. She’s not only stunning, she’s an entrepreneur. Watch out, this one’s smart . . .

So what are you into? Hobbies? Interests?

You can usually find me knitting a scarf and watching Antiques Roadshow or The Twilight Zone. I am very into old TV shows, i.e. The Brady Bunch, Quantum Leap, The Honeymooners, Land of the Lost, etc. I also paint and draw, which I've been doing a lot more lately.

I am starting up my own business and not telling anyone what it is yet! I have my business plan written; it will be launching soon. I can’t wait!

What made you want to start getting tattooed?

I had always been into strange and unusual people when I was growing up in the 90's. I had some friends that had tattoos. The fact that it was a display of permanent art caught my attention and still holds it to this day.

Have you ever caught any flack for your ink?

My mom and the majority of old folk always say to me, "Why in the world do you get all of these tattoos? You're too pretty."  I reply, "Well did it ever occur to you that I don't get tattooed because I want to look prettier? I get tattooed because I feel like it!”

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?

I was seventeen when I got my first tattoos. I was living on my own, in Baton Rouge, La. On my left wrist I got “Love” done in script with a heart below it. On my right wrist I got “Lust” with a cutout heart and little scissors next to it, as if to say “cut here.” The idea is that with real love, your heart is involved. With lust, it's a cutout heart because usually (but not always) your heart isn't involved; it's an act of pure lust and is only physical.

What artists have you had work from?

The traditional mermaid on my left forearm was done by Will Card at True Tattoo; the pinup girl on my calf, the script on my side, and the Lucille Ball portrait were all done by Jeff Page, also at True Tattoo; the octopus on my arm was done by Bobby at Atomic Tattoo; the script on my hands was done by Mike De Masi at Art Junkies; and my back piece is being worked on by Brendan Rowe at Unbreakable.

Any plans for more work in the future?

I have plans to get my thighs worked on next. I don't plan too far ahead though. I get too overwhelmed. I usually just know what I want to get next, but I usually never know what is after the "next."  I'm a woman, I'm indecisive. Live it, love it, deal with it.

Yes ma’am.