Celtic Ram vs. Hound Tattoo

Today's client is a warrior, who asked for a custom design incorporating three animals close to his heart. A ram for his Army unit, the Black Sheep; an Irish Wolfhound for loyalty and ethnic pride; and a raven for the Morrigan who guards the battlefields. All surrounding a protection knot, woven together as a single shield to honor his service and his courage. A great pleasure for me to work with a man whose life is a testament to courage and honor.

A menacing big horned ram stares down an Irish Wolfhound, and the hunt comes to a fierce stalemate. A raven hovers above, ready to pounce. The moment of battle is upon us.

Uffington Cuff Tattoo

It is true, I have a strong fondness for the ethnic traditional art of the Picts, my ancestors. So when a client comes in who wishes work in that style I give it my all. I feel like I am bringing something important back alive when I put historical patterns in skin. Today we combined a V-rod crescent from an ancient Pictish standing stone, La Tene style spirals, and the silhouette of the Uffington white horse earthwork to make this unique ankle cuff. The client came with clear ideas about elements she wanted to include, but it took a lot of collaboration with her, myself, and my clever employee Colin Fraser to bring all the elements together in one cohesive pattern.

The white horse of Uffington is one of the most significant prehistoric earth works in Briton, and this ankle cuff combines that primordial design with the Pictish V-Rod and La Tene style spirals. All the different ancient styles blend together into a seamless design, European tribal art that lives again in skin.

Baby Bud Rose Tattoo

This 75 year old lady walked into the studio today announcing that it was time for her to get the rose tattoo she'd always wanted. She'd gone into another local shop and "got a creepy vibe" so she started looking online, found my website, and now she's an illustrated woman! Go, Winnifred, go!

Nothing is quite as sweet or as traditional as a tiny bud rose tattoo on a woman.............

Scottish Soccer Cross

Another dedication cross today, this on the second of the two Southern Gentlemen who came out together on their quest to BE ART. He also has strong feelings for his wife and daughters, evidenced by the initials in the thistle flowers twined into the base of the cross. But his identity, as a proud Scotsman well known for kilt-wearing and enthusiastic drinking of the water of life, is shown by the placement of the soccer ball in the center with the Scottish St Andrew's saltire flag pattern draped around the ball. He is a soccer goalie, and the gloves he wears are up cradling the ball... so just like his best friend, he presented me with a major challenge to somehow incorporate all the symbolism he required into this one tattoo. Now we've done it, and he flies back with a permanent souvenir, and I have memories of several days and many meals with two exemplars of Southern courtesy and charm.

Scottish Soccer Celtic Cross Tattoo by Pat Fish