Celtic 'Bridging Band' Tattoo

These two views illustrate how different an arm tattooed with a continuous pattern of knotwork can be when viewed from different angles. The goal here was to span a space between the bottom of a Celtic cross I had done on his upper arm and cover the elbow and go down a few more inches to match up with the length of an Asian style sleeve he has going on the other arm. So it was a tube of knots, a very wide band, and we worked up a pattern that links a knot with recurving ends with a basketweave interior. The densely woven parts fit very well across the elbow and inner arm, and the loops and curves work well on the sides. The finished product has a lot of complexity, and is snugly fitted to the shape of the arm.

Celtic Bridging Band Tattoo by Pat FIsh

A very wide Celtic knotwork band, designed to bridge the gap between the bottom of a short sleeve and cross over the elbow and onto the forearm. Many times people make the commitment to a short tattoo sleeve and then when they want to go further they have to deal with an awkward space. This knot is special because it has two areas with knots and loops, and two areas of basket-weave interlace that work very well over the elbow and the inner arm.

Elysian Celtic Band Tattoo

The simplicity of a Celtic band, with no beginning and no end, was chosen by this man as the logical termination for a planned half-sleeve. He asked for blending of green and blue, just a blush of color making the dimensionality, a light touch and the beginning. What will be added to the arm above, that remains to be seen.

Celtic Elysian Band Tattoo by Pat Fish

A gentle band evoking the waters crossed over to attain the Elysian Fields, whose inhabitants include those chosen by the gods, the righteous, and the heroic, in a place where they would remain after death, to live a blessed and happy life hereafter.  http://www.luckyfishart.com/elysianband.html

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.