Cancer Ribbon Memorial Tattoo

Today a woman who lost her sister to stomach cancer came in to have a memorial ribbon placed on her wrist, where she will see it every day and it will serve to keep her sister's memory alive. Last month we had used something her sister had written to pull the letters in her handwriting to construct the text "Calm" on her wrist. Today we added the ribbon like a charm on a bracelet. In this instance the tattoos fulfill an ancient purpose, marks upon the flesh to memorialize the dead.

Cancer Ribbon Memorial Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Three Loves' Celtic Animals Tattoo

Dedication tattoos are a special part of a tattoo artist's work, a poignant role we play in preserving memory and love. Today a husband and wife came for a tattoo dedicated to their children. The dogs are the boys, one of whom passed away in infancy and is represented by the dog with wings. The pink cat is their little girl. By bringing all their children together in one design they celebrate the living, memorialize the angel baby, and it will help them in their process of moving forward as a family.

'Three Loves' Celtic Animals Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Nordic Dragon Tattoo

The other day a young woman planning a career in an intellectually demanding academic field asked for this melding of Nordic and Celtic elements in a dragon, to be her image of strength. A creature from the land of ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs flow!

Celtic Nordic Dragon Tattoo by Pat Fish

Rampant Celtic Lion Tattoo

Today a returning client went bigger and bolder with this rampant heraldic lion drawn with Celtic knotwork in the body. She sees it as a protector symbol, emblematic of strength and power , a totemic sygil that will watch her back.

Rampant Celtic Lion Tattoo by Pat Fish