Dire Wolf

In 1998 I was featured in a TV show on CNN that also interviewed a Scottish man covered in Pictish tattoos. In particular he had the Dire Wolf carving found on a 6th century Pictish Symbol Stone in Ardross in the Highlands, and currently kept in the Inverness Museum. And truth be told, ever since I have yearned to tattoo this magnificent creature on someone. FINALLY today my wish came true, when a stalwart member of my own Clan Campbell (Picts, aye) gave me a perfect canvas spanning his ribs. To make the wolf look similar to the carved stone I rendered him in dots, and then dotted in woad blue a double spiral of the type found in Newgrange, in the Boyne Valley of Ireland. He walks again through the spirals of memory.

Dire Wolf Pictish/Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Here is the Pictish carved stone that inspired this tattoo.

Trinity Celtic Sleeve

This is my last chance to brag on this piece. After three marathon sessions it is done for now, and my client is moving far away and won't be back for more for a long time. We did the triquetra in January, the epaulette above in February, and now today we added the band beneath. It really does capture the "body armor" look I try to achieve, in this case adorning a Warrior of Faith who is off to become a musicianary, a musician missionary.

Trinity Celtic Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

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 epaulette that makes a sculptural statement, flowing up onto the shoulder. 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. 

Trinity Celtic Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish, side views.

Illuminated Letter Half Sleeve

Today I finished a big half-sleeve that started 3 years ago with an illuminated letter E from the Book of Kells. He got back in touch, and wanted to make the whole upper arm into one solid piece. So last month we added the crescent above and the band below. Finally today I added a knotwork to fill all the sides and under the arm, and shaded them all with dots to make it all into one cohesive presentation. It takes a lot of time to design such work, most especially because it is one thing to draw them on paper but quite another level of difficulty to then adapt the pattern to make it fit the body. I especially appreciate the level of trust the client puts in me, as I slowly transform their skin dot by dot. They can see the pattern on the page, and agree that they like it, but I know it is a big act of faith for them to get the hours of work done hoping for the best! So I give it my best every time to live up to their expectations!

Celtic Letter Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish, side view.

The illuminated text pages in the Book of Kells frequently featured one magnificently complex letter beginning a Bible passage. This is the letter E at the start of one such page. It features the head of a lion and three snakes, as well as a full body of a lioness, Celtic knot work, and Pictish key patterns.  The central letter in this sleeve is available for purchase and download HERE.

Celtic Letter Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish, front and back views.

Eternal Vigilance Cross

Sometimes I draw custom designs for people at a distance who can't come to get them done by me. I did a LOT of this while I was unable to tattoo last year. This fireman hired me last week to draw up this design and then was so pleased with the result he sent a deposit and today drove out from Nevada to have me put it on. It is a combination of the Maltese cross, the shield that represents firemen, and an eternity knot, and a Celtic cross.

Eternal Vigilance Cross Tattoo by Pat Fish

The Maltese Cross, symbol of Firemen and their vigilant spirit, combines with the eternal knot and a knot work Celtic cross to make a tattoo designed for and worn proudly by Firemen. Their strength inspires us all.