An Ambitious Scotsman

A returning client booked two appointments to maximize his trip to Santa Barbara. On the first day we did a romantic tribute to his lovely wife, a Celtic heart over his heart.

Celtic Knot 'Loyal Heart' Tattoo by Pat Fish

The pattern for the Loyal Heart tattoo is available for purchase and immediate download here:

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

Glen Family Crest Tattoo by Pat Fish

Also on that day we added the Clan MacDonald battle shield to the center of a frame of Celtic knotwork I did for him last year. We adapted the red eagle and shield to fit into the space between the band and shoulder piece, bringing his plan for that part of his body to completion.

The William Wallace Memorial at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London - inset shows knotwork

The next day we did a custom adaptation of a band with great personal significance for him. The pattern appears on the Sir William Wallace memorial in London, and I made it conform to the shapes formed by the thistle and shoulder cap I had previously placed above, so that it is now an integrated whole.

And he is now a much more illustrated gentleman. 

The pattern for the William Wallace band is available for purchase and immediate download here:

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

The pattern for the Honour Thistle is sold here:

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

Pictish V-Rod and Crescent Tattoo

Decades ago I tattooed this friend with a mark of his disillusioned youth.  It was appropriate then, and for many years, but he outgrew the attitude it represented. So today we replaced it with an ancient mysterious symbol from the Pictish people of Scotland. Centuries ago it was carved on a stone, and now it lives again in the skin of this modern warrior. People who delay or reject getting a tattoo because they think they might change, or live to regret it, do well to remember that a skilled artist can design a clever and effective cover-up.

Pictish V-Rod and Crescent Tattoo by Pat Fish

The V-Rod crescent is said to represent a time of harmony, when the swords of war have been broken and peace reigned in the land.

This image also available on imprinted clothing and accessories:

http://www.cafepress.com/luckyfish/2605955

Dragon's Teeth Celtic Band Tattoo

Extending a sleeve down onto the forearm is a big step in increased visibility, and one often best served with a dynamic edge. Here the Celtic band around the elbow that I did 2 months ago has been drawn down with a mix of curving knots and spiky shapes, tapering to follow the musculature of the arm.

Dragon's Teeth Celtic Band Tattoo by Pat Fish

A jagged patterning like the mighty jaws of a dragon, all endless Celtic knots forming a union of spike and curve that has the power of tribal tattoo art within the Celtic style.

Stormchaser Spirals Tattoo

Today  a man with ethnic ties to both Ireland and Scotland came to add to his first tattoo. Two months ago I did the circular triple spirals at the top, a pattern from the ancient Tara brooch from Ireland. Now we have added the Pictish double spirals to the bottom, also taken from historic metalwork, to extend the design in a complimentary way to an entirely new shape.

Stormchaser Spirals Tattoo by Pat Fish

The pattern for this tattoo is available for purchase and immediate download at:

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