Clann Chaomhanach Insignia Tattoo

Today a returning client had the urge to celebrate his ethnic roots with the insignia of his Irish clan. Often people get the entire family crest or clan badge, and in doing so the significant heraldic animals or symbols are such a small percentage of the whole that they lose focus and power in a tattoo context. Addressing that point, we chose to design this clan lion and moons with the calligraphy around them, giving them more room and presence.

Clann Chaomhanach Insignia Tattoo by Pat Fish

Last year he honored his other allegiance, to his alma mater. His father is the football coach at the college, and he was a member of the team during his attendance, so he continues to have close feelings and chose to permanently express his allegiance with the shield tattoo.

Tattoos by Pat Fish

Pictish Wolf, Bear, and Double Disk Tattoo

Today's client asked to begin a full leg of Pictish symbols, a thrilling prospect for me. We started with choosing totemic animals to represent his young sons. The first is the Ardross wolf, from an ancient Pictish carved symbol stone housed in the National Museum in Edinburgh. But looking through my archives for the bear, we just didn't see a Pictish one that worked. Until we had the inspiration to use the silhouette of the grizzly bear on the California flag, and match his style with that of the wolf. Lastly we copied the spirals from some gold Pictish jewelry I had photographed in Edinburgh and created a custom double disc for the shin center. Altogether a solid day's work, and a great start to an ambitious project.

Pictish Wolf, Bear, and Double Disk Tattoo by Pat Fish

You can learn more about the Picts and their symbols on the PICTISH TATTOO ART page.

Celtic Claddagh Tattoo

Today a pilgrim from the Least Coast came to place this claddagh ring on his athletic calf. He bicycled to the top of the local mountains, then relaxed for the installation of art. On his other leg he already had a design he'd purchased from the LuckyFishArt online image sale site, but when his work offered to send him to a seminar in Santa Barbara he jumped at the chance to add to his collection with something both designed and installed by the Queen of Knots.

Claddagh Ring Tattoo by Pat Fish

Shark Fin Celtic Band Tattoo

Today a man's request for a bold look led to the styling of this Celtic arm band with a tribal flair. With hooked interlocked swoops of curves, the band has the feel of a shark's dorsal fin, and a rolling balance that is wave-like. As dynamic as 1990's tribal tattooing, but intricate and historic.

Shark Fin Celtic Band Tattoo by Pat Fish

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

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