'Valkyrie Compass' Tattoo

Today an international sea captain came into port for this ancient Icelandic compass, a talisman to help him keep his course true. It was his birthday, and he gave himself the gift of a transformative experience.

'Valkyrie Compass' Tattoo by Pat FIsh

A Vegvísir (Icelandic 'sign post') is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather. The Huld Manuscript, collected in Iceland, declares that "if this sign is carried, one will never lose one's way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known" A valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who decide who will die in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle, the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin.

Saint Brendan Back-Piece Tattoo

Today I finished up my favorite backpiece of the year, Saint Brendan in the waves on a Catholic priest! The icon of the Saint was inspired by an old woodcarving, and we chose to position him on two dolphin fish and surround him with La Tene style wave spirals. Brendan is famous in the chronicles for being the navigator of a ship that "discovered" America well before the Vikings or Columbus. This Father navigates the seas of faith, bringing consolation and inspiration to his congregation.

Saint Brendan Back-Piece Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Knotwork Salmon Tattoo

This evening a recreational commercial fisherman from Alaska who came to town representing the Alaskan fisheries made a quick appointment for an occupationally appropriate tattoo.  We covered up a small tattoo representing a past enthusiasm, and gave him a permanent embellishment expressing his current life.

Celtic Knotwork Salmon Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Canine Infinity' Celtic Tattoo

Today a local with great enthusiasm for companion dogs came in for the Canine Infinity pattern, a figure-eight which gives the impression on her delicate arm of a full band. A bold choice for the leader of the pack!

'Canine Infinity' Celtic Tattoo by Par Fish

Both dogs and wolves are subspecies of Canis lupus. The one lives to grace our hearth, the other to haunt our dreams. The one represents fidelity and the most loyal of servants. the other the force of the wild nature we wish to tame. This design is a classic meeting of the two sides of canine nature, as an infinity symbol, Möbius band of duality.