Ink Master: Fredericksburg Resident Vies for Tattoo Title on Spike TV

Fredericksburg resident David Bell, owner/artist at TLA Tattoo Studio in Occoquan, will vie for a $100,000 grand prize, an editorial feature in Inked magazine and the bragging rights for the title  ‘Ink Master’ in Spike TV’s fourth season of the tattoo reality-competition series, "Ink Master."

Bell has been tattooing for more than 20 years and is widely known on the convention circuit.  His career began apprenticing at a studio in Arizona.  He then moved to shops in California, Washington and Nevada.

Two years ago Bell brought his West Coast tattoo style and his love of black and gray work to the East Coast when he set up his own shop, True Love Always (TLA) Tattoo Studio at 201 Union St. in Occoquan.

Season four of "Ink Master" begins 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.  The 17 competitors will face a series of tattoo challenges designed to test technical skills and on-the-spot creativity.

Each of the episodes will focus on a different and distinct style of tattooing, to include realism, black and gray, geometric, neo-traditional, Asian and cover-up.

After every challenge, the contestants will face a panel comprised of series host guitarist, singer and songwriter Dave Navarro of the group Jane’s Addiction, world renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez of Miami Ink and Oliver Peck of Elm Street Tattoo, and guest judges including New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, musician, film director, screenwriter and film producer Rob Zombie and former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion boxing Brandon Rios.