Luna Wave Tattoo Redux

March 19, 2015

Today a client who got this La Tene style anklet 5 years ago came back to have it refreshed and embellished. She wanted to brighten it up, and add spiraling elements that would make it conform more to the foot's shape. Additionally, to make it a dedication for her brother we added a heart with his initials in it. Often reworking an old tattoo can give it new life, especially if the wearer has had a few years to imagine it different.

A spiral form from the ancient La Tene Celtic culture is joined with a Lunar Goddess medallion to make this striking pattern.

Clann Chaomhanach Insignia Tattoo

March 08, 2015

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.

Pictish Wolf, Bear, and Double Disk Tattoo

March 05, 2015

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

March 03, 2015

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.