Scottish Soccer Cross

Another dedication cross today, this on the second of the two Southern Gentlemen who came out together on their quest to BE ART. He also has strong feelings for his wife and daughters, evidenced by the initials in the thistle flowers twined into the base of the cross. But his identity, as a proud Scotsman well known for kilt-wearing and enthusiastic drinking of the water of life, is shown by the placement of the soccer ball in the center with the Scottish St Andrew's saltire flag pattern draped around the ball. He is a soccer goalie, and the gloves he wears are up cradling the ball... so just like his best friend, he presented me with a major challenge to somehow incorporate all the symbolism he required into this one tattoo. Now we've done it, and he flies back with a permanent souvenir, and I have memories of several days and many meals with two exemplars of Southern courtesy and charm.

Scottish Soccer Celtic Cross Tattoo by Pat Fish

Claddagh Shamrock Cross

This client wanted it ALL. One Celtic cross that could encompass numerous personal symbolisms, and for which he made an epic trek across the country. We started with a classic St Patrick's cross, and made it a claddagh version with the addition of the hands, but holding a shamrock instead of a heart. Then the initials of his children went in the cuffs, and the initial of the love of his life, his wife who is the center of the family, in a heart inserted into the knotwork at the base of the cross. It was his first tattoo, and he traveled 2,337 miles to get it, so he made sure it was filled with meaning. My guess is it won't be his last tattoo!

Claddagh Shamrock Cross by Pat Fish

Jaya Wave

You would THINK that surfers would be the ultimate client, showing off their muscular bodies in minimal clothing, but they truly suffer having to stay out of the water to heal up a tattoo! This wave is the business logo of a local surfer/carpenter/craftsman, done all in dots today as a technique to accelerate the healing process. May it give him the power to keep that foot firmly on the board as he glides atop the curl.

Wave Tattoo by Pat Fish

NorthWest Coast Indian Hummingbird

The NorthWest Coast Indians chose totem animals for each tribe, and the hummingbird must have been an especially lucky one to have been born to. This pattern uses the traditional forms to create a new portrait in skin that closely resembles a traditional tattoo, using the motifs so popular in NW art. 

Haida Style Hummingbird Tattoo by Pat Fish