Celestial Tableau Tribal Celtic Tattoo

This tribal style tattoo I did yesterday has all the elements of the designs popular 25 years ago, the ones that I built my career installing. Tribal Celtic tree of life, and sun and moon. And on the lower back, which in this case was the placement of choice for an extremely pale gal so the stark crisp ink of the black graphic shapes stands out very well defined. As the tattoo artist community now moans about the current trend for word tattoos we do tend to forget how a well-done tribal lower back tattoo can be quite lovely.

Tribal Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish

Bold tribal style graphics form a Tree of Life, a Sun and Moon, tying them all together into a statement of unity and convergence. 

Celtic Transition Knot Tattoo

Today's gal wanted this rectangle of Celtic knotwork on her back's shoulderblade, and I got cranky! I told her how tired I am of women who hide their tattoos from themselves as well as everyone else. I truly believe that to get your money's worth you need to be able to see your tattoo without a mirror! "Oh, but I work in Corporate America," she said. So, sly me, I placed the stencil in several places, angling for her to put it where she did, on the top of her shoulder, draped across like an epaulette, a completely discrete place but MOST importantly she can look down and enjoy it. In light bright colors it is like a lace antimacassar gracing her shoulder. A most feminine and artistic enhancement in an entirely unusual placement.

Transition Knot Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

A delicate rectangle that drapes on the skin like fine lace. The point of transition between the intent and the actualization.

Celtic Bee Tattoo

Today the VP of the local Santa Barbara Beekeepers Assn. came in with a request for a Celtic Bee. It was a lovely idea, and starting with a realistic bee silhouette and filling it with knotwork created this charming totem landing on his shoulder. Sweet!!!!! He now wears a permanent symbol of his enthusiasm for honey bees.

Celtic Knot Bee Tattoo by Pat Fish

A honey bee created from Celtic knots, celebrating the ancient connection between humans and bees. 

The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams. -Henry David Thoreau
 

The sweet Celtic bee design has been so popular I got a suggestion to add it to my CafePress store, and now it is up and available to purchase on imprinted shirts and other items. Support the cause of honey bees! http://www.cafepress.com/luckyfish/10379506

Killarney Celtic Cross Tattoo

Creating this cross was extremely challenging. It is based on a beautiful monumental cross in Killarney, Ireland, and the only photos the client had were taken from 3/4 and side views........... it was very important that we match this particular cross as closely as possible, because his father for whom the tattoo is a dedication passed away at the family home nearby in Killorglin, famous for their 400 year old Puck Fair. So this man knows his Celtic art, wanted to be as true as possible to the actual cross, but also was open to suggestions for rendering it with dots and shading. Plus he wanted to add the claddagh hands that I have drawn into other crosses he had seen and liked, so in the end it was an amalgamation of the best of many ideas, woven together like a Celtic knot.

Celtic Killarney Cross Tattoo by Pat Fish