The Speyside region of Scotland is known for production of superb whiskeys, and the graveyards are filled with noble high crosses that mark family graves and are silent sentinels to faith.
Book of Kells Celtic Band Tattoo Design
A MOST unusual tiny detail, found on the Book of Kells Folio 8R page, that caught the eye of this man who requested it as a band on his thigh above the knee. From the scribe monks of 8th century Ireland to the 21st century as a tattoo, Celtic art LIVES !
Book of Kells Folio 8R
Pictish Seamonster Tattoo Design
The most charming of all the Pictish animals is the Pictish Beast, also known as the Pictish Dragon, or Swimming Elephant. Some people even say that it might be the Loch Ness Monster!
This version is from the Strathmartine Castle stone, now on display in Dundee, Scotland. I chose to render him in pointillist dots, to mimic the hand-pecking tapping technique that would have been used to create his image in sandstone so many centuries ago.
The Pictish Beast
Jormungandr Midgard Serpent Nordic Viking Tattoo Design
The mighty Midgard serpent, the Jormungandr, rendered in the Urnes style to wrap the forearm or leg. A symbol of Nordic Viking power.
Today a musician building a Nordic sleeve asked for Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent, on his forearm, that I drew in the Urnes style. After we finished and he prepared to leave... as he grasped the studio door knob a HUGE boom of thunder shook the building. "What was THAT?" he gasped.... "The blessing of Thor" I replied!
