Celtic HazMat Tattoo

May 13, 2014

The bravery and skill of those who are trained to respond to emergencies with hazardous materials is celebrated in this custom tattoo, melding Celtic knotwork with the NFPA hazardous materials identification diamond and a skull-and-crossbones. Today a Fire Captain who is a HazMat coordinator came from Indiana to design and receive this back piece - a badge of courage.

This pattern is available for purchase and immediate download at

http://www.luckyfishart.com/hazmatcelt.html

"NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response"

Luna Moth and Bee Tattoos

May 10, 2014

This good returning client is slowly building up a sleeve of her enthusiasms, including flowers, fairies, and insects. Today saw the addition of a luna moth and a bee. She tells the tale that her tattoos attract appreciative comments from young girls in particular, who are impressed to see this nice Mom with little kids sporting quite visible work. Hooray for Tattooed Moms!

A sleeve to live up to!

May 06, 2014

Today's project has a lot to live up to! This "Pictish Keymorphic" right forearm received both People's Choice and Artists' Choice Awards for best tribal tattoo at the National Tattoo Association convention last weekend in Garden Grove, CA. On the heels of that big win, today Ben is back in the studio to achieve balance with a complementary spiraling pattern on the left side. It took a lot of planning and figuring to make a maze of triple spirals interlocking and filling the same amount of arm. This way they are a pair with entirely different energy and flow, and a new way to look at "tribal" tattoos..

To read more about how this kind of custom sleeve tattoo is accomplished, visit the Full Knotwork Sleeves page.

The award-winning Pictish Key Pattern Sleeve and a Spiral Complement under construction

National Tattoo Association Convention 2014

May 05, 2014

In May 2014 I attended and lectured at the 35th annual National Tattoo Association Convention in Garden Grove, California. I've been a member of the NTA for 30 years, and these "family reunions" are an opportunity to catch up on the careers of people I have known for decades and see inspiring work. I was honored to win two awards with a "Pictish Keymorphic" right forearm that received both People's Choice and Artists' Choice Awards for best tribal tattoo.

Colin Fraser and I presented a slide show and lecture: CELTIC TATTOOS & TRADITIONS, An illustrated lecture about Celtic and Pictish art with an emphasis on historical sources and the adaptation of archival material to modern tattooing. Examples of ancient artworks and tattoos created from them, plus technical tips for successfully fitting Celtic knotwork patterns onto the body.

And I am pleased that I was able to once again share my booth with my esteemed colleague Colin Dale:

Pat Fish and Colin Dale Booth Banner by Colin Fraser Purcell

Award WInning Pictish Keymorphic Tattoo by Pat Fish