Celtic Bass Clef Phoenix Tattoo

The bass clef is a crucial emblem for this musician, totem for his devotion to his instrument and the delight he finds in playing. The phoenix symbol is his rebirth, having found the power of performance later in life and now thoroughly embracing it. For those who burn with passion for music, this is the tattoo.

Phoenix and Bass Clef Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

The phoenix bass clef, placed on the musician's picking arm represents how each note is born in the ashes of the last. Bass players don't play chords. With his choice of location, the muscles beneath this tattoo are responsible for the birth of these notes. There is fire involved, inspiration and passion.

'Eternal Tree' Knotwork Tattoo

A tree of life for a family man, in honor of his newborn daughter. To give proper credit, the tree canopy is from an original drawing by Cari Buziak of Canada, and the roots are from a design by Colin Dale of Denmark, and I made them weave together. So it becomes an international collaboration and this man wears it forever.

"Eternal Tree" Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Techno Bee' Tattoos

First tattoos of the year, a set of Techno Bees on a local couple well known for their contributions to beekeeping education. Since bees are a personal enthusiasm for me I am very pleased that I can start out 2014 in this way, giving them a permanent visual representation of their appreciation for our pollinator friends.

Matched Pair of "Techno Bee" Tattoos by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Tradition Cross' Tattoo

Today a cross for a young Army soldier that took twice as long to draw as it did to install. The challenge was to take a grave rubbing that I did in Ireland and adapt the knot work pattern to fit a different high cross shape, and then puzzle out how to make it weave though in the middle section so it is all one line returning to source. I do love imagining the looks this will get from all the other soldiers. His father also wears a Celtic cross I did, and his mother a Celtic floral pattern -- he is continuing a family tradition!

Celtic 'Tradition Cross' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Knots from a high cross grave in Ireland are combined in a custom way to make this complex and classic tattoo. The single line returning to source evokes the Celtic religious tradition.