Dramatic upper arm coverage is achieved with this combination of integrated patterns. The central piece is a knot work trinity knot, weaving in and out of an eternal circle. Fitted in above it is a knot work epaulet that makes a sculptural statement, flowing up onto the shoulder. Finishing it all out to a complete half sleeve is a band of knot work brought up to pull it all together seamlessly and go all the way around under the arm. Tying the elements together in this rendering are pointillist dots, giving a textural feel and bringing the knots forward visually. They make the pattern feel united as one.
Celtic Dragon Lion Tattoo Design
A mysterious beast, found in a 7th century illuminated manuscript, was just as imaginary and built from rumor as any dragon. For the monk who drew it, who surely had never seen a lion, this one approached the ferocity and intensity of a dragon.
Celtic Queen Pictish Spiral Tattoo Design
Single, double, and triple spirals in a profusion of Pictish and Celtic swirls. Making a tapestry of living motion.
Skeletal Gadsden Flag Tattoo Design
One of my favorite political symbols is the Gadsden Flag, established in 1775 and bearing the motto "Don't Tread on Me." It was taken up by the Tea Party activists, but I had been putting stickers of it on my vehicles for many years before. In conversations with an excellent patriotic client I came up with the idea of rendering it in a skeletal form, and this tattoo is the result. We chose to encircle it with both the original text and "Nemo me impune lacessit" which is on the royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland and translates in the Scots language to: "Wha daur meddle wi me?" Or, in modern: FAFO. Many years later I had a chance to do it again, this time encircling it with a ring of Celtic knotwork.
