Tattoos are "Jewelry that can never be lost or stolen." Today's project was a tiny thistle on a dainty wrist, just enough for an expression of a Scotswoman's ethnic pride.
Thistle Magic Tattoo by Pat Fish
A thistle that can be reproduced very tiny, a jewel to express ethnic connection and pride.
Today's client wanted a tree to symbolize his commitment to his family, and has strong ancestral ties to Dutch Indonesia. When I asked him to provide me with reference material of designs that resonated with him, he sent examples of the splendid tattoo art of Aman Durga Sipatiti. This inspirational Sarawak Borneo art is filled with spiral forms, so similar to the Pictish and Celtic patterns I love. It was a pleasure to look at them as I created this custom piece.
Magic Tree Spiral Tattoo by Pat Fish
Drawn in the style of the Dyak people of Borneo, equally similar to the Pictish spirals, this bold black graphic tree of life spans the art styles of many tattoo traditions.
This Rebel Alliance symbol from Star Wars will doubtless be recognizable to many. A Celtic version was a unique request from someone who joyously embraces his inner Geek, and now has fully externalized it. Since I stopped watching TV before it appeared, I'd never heard if it; so it was something I had to Google up in Image Search. Just now when I tried to get more information so I could describe just WHO the Rebel Alliance were I found pages of links to fanboy obsessions, more than I could sift through. So I'll leave it that I fulfilled a strange assignment to the satisfaction of the client.
Star Wars 'Rebel Alliance' Celtic Knot Tattoo by Pat Fish
The dispersing Celts, the diaspora of the Irish in particular to the far-flung corners of the globe, has long been referred to as "The Wild Geese." As a result the image of the goose has been a favorite one in Celtic art, as in this design copied from a charming 1920's silver brooch.
Celtic Goose Tattoo by Pat Fish
A second piece that is part of the leg with the goose in the previous posting. This salmon is a simplification of a design originally drawn by the esteemed Welsh artist Jen Delyth whose popular images make splendid tattoos. We have had a handshake agreement for decades by which I am honored to replicate her designs as tattoos and pay royalties, and with this image I have reached the milestone of 1500 images for sale online. 28 of them started life as a piece drawn by Jen. Translating the work of others into tattoos is always a challenge, crediting the original artist as well as serving the aesthetics of the client.
Celtic Spiral Salmon Tattoo by Pat Fish
The third animal that completed the Celtic animal themed leg on a woman from the East Coast, whose decade living in Ireland left her with a yearning to reconnect with that faraway homeland. This is another design adapted from art by the Welsh artist Jen Delyth. Her stag is more complex, with knotwork I could not hope to replicate at this size, so the stag is softened and simplified, with internal spirals and one triquetra replacing woven knots. In each of these views a maelstrom of La Tene style double and triple spirals, rendered in three colors, binds the creatures together into one whole that covers the calf of the leg. Having the animals rendered in black line and dots brings them to the foreground, and the colored spirals are done in dotted lines of pure color to form a background matrix.
Celtic Stag Tattoo by Pat Fish
