Celtic Hummingbird Tattoo

October 15, 2014

Today a returning client from a decade ago was ready for something new, and was charmed by this Celtic hummingbird image I created last year. It makes me very happy to translate the beauty of the natural world into permanent jewelry for women, in a stylized way that both captures the spirit of the image and honors the Celtic semi-representational tradition.

The splendidly delightful tiny jewel of the skies, the ruby-throated hummingbird, is rendered in Celtic knot work, to make a tattoo of unique charm.

Nordic Dragon with Thor's Hammer Tattoo

October 13, 2014

This week I completed a half sleeve begun last month, incorporating a Thor's hammer with a dragon derivative of and inspired by the art of Viking Tattoo specialist, Colin Dale . The Celts, Picts and Nordic peoples have intermingled their bloodlines and artistic styles for centuries, so it is an interesting challenge to combine elements that appeal to an individual client in a way that creates a new cohesive design.

Nordic Dragon with Thor's Hammer Tattoo by Pat Fish

Bloodline Band Celtic Tattoo

October 11, 2014

Today I had the pleasure of once again working on a fine Scotsman with big ambitions for ethnic art. We started last year with the thistle and shoulder-cap, later added the William Wallace band, and then today brought the piece down to the elbow with what we have named the "Bloodline Band," an adaptation of the "Triple Loop Band" from the 7th c. Book of Durrow. It was his idea to run a red ribbon through the band, representing the blood line that connects him to his Scottish ancestors.

Celtic 'Bloodline Band' Tattoo by Pat Fish

The patterns for the four separate tattoos that make up this half-sleeve are all available for sale on my flash sale website:

http://www.luckyfishart.com

Celtic Sparrow Tattoo

October 10, 2014

Today a honeymooning newlywed asked for a sparrow in flight to grace her shoulder blade. I used a series of twisted knots to give a feminine wing, and at her request extended the tail to something more like a bird of paradise. It is unusual to combine elements of realism with knots, and a challenge I enjoy.