Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Extension

Today this esteemed returning client went one step further toward the goal of full Celtic knot work sleeves. He began with the winged lion, then we added a background matrix for it, and today I took the same band and extended the pattern down onto the forearm. An ambitious man!

Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo Extension by Pat Fish

Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo Extension by Pat Fish

Celtic Spiral Waves Background Tattoo

Recently I added this background pattern based on the Shandwick stone in Scotland to an eel/dragon tattoo begun several years ago. To balance a Japanese style chest-piece with wind-bars and a dragon on the other side, we did an entirely dot-work installation of these evocative Celtic triple spirals. I used a very deep blue for the lines and a brighter, lighter blue for infill.

Celtic Spiral Waves Background Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Spiral Waves Background Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Loyalty Thistle' Celtic Tattoo

Today a woman chose this ethnic design to add to her forearm, a piece of permanent jewelry to show her love for her heritage.  Modeled after a very old kilt pin, the thistle of Scotland is enclosed within the arms of a heart, a symbol of love for country and kin.

'Loyalty Thistle' Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Loyalty Thistle' Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Zebra-tailed Lizard Tattoo

Today a reptile fancier came for a permanent representation of her very favorite species, the Zebra-tailed Lizard. It required a lot of image searching, drawing and re-drawing, considering the perfect placement....... and now he perches on her shoulder, alert and ready.

Zebra-tailed Lizard Tattoo by Pat Fish

Zebra-tailed Lizard Tattoo by Pat Fish

The zebra-tailed lizard, Callisaurus draconoides, is common and widely distributed throughout the Mojave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts and its range extends north into the southern Great Basin.


These very fast lizards are easily identified by their black striped "zebra tail." When agitated the lizards wave their very prominent tail, and it is thought that this provides protection. When predators go after a Zebra-Tail they often see the tail, so this is the point of attack. If that is the body part they grab it simply falls off, and the lizard escapes having lost a tail but not its life. You can often get surprisingly close to a Zebra-tailed Lizard. They will stand high on their legs as you approach, sometimes doing a couple of "push-ups" with their front legs. But when you finally are close enough to scare them off, they dash away with in blur. Look for them in sandy washes.

-http://digital-desert.com/wildlife/zebra-tailed-lizard.html