Celtic 'Ace' Sleeve Tattoo

A military pilot commissioned this piece, as much as we could possibly fit onto his upper arm and remain above the end of a uniform sleeve. Years ago when I did his first tattoo I said the fateful words "You'll be back when you feel lopsided." And it DID happen, that tattoo on the other side looked lonely, and eventually looked small too, so now he's done a major installation on the other side. A fun challenge, to have most of the piece be symmetrical, but with a triangular knot in the middle.

Celtic 'Ace' Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Designed to fill the entire top of the arm to the level of a short sleeved shirt, this knot work pattern has a symmetrical outer weave with a three-part center. This makes a pleasing overall balance with the central focus embodying the Celtic preference for three as emphasis. A winning combination.

'Charter Oak' Celtic Tree Tattoo

The Celtic tree of life is a venerable symbol, and what better way to portray it than with a mighty oak. This design began with a drawing done in 1848 that depicted the Charter Oak, a great symbol of American independence. It was an unusually large white oak tree that grew from the 12th or 13th century until it fell in a storm in 1856. Tradition says that Connecticut's Royal Charter of 1662 was hidden within the hollow of the tree to thwart its confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak became a symbol of American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter. I combined the tree with a knotwork pattern base to act as the roots, and my gracious returning client came all the way from Georgia and gave me his entire side, from waist to armpit, to stretch the tree on. He is a military man, and a policeman, and I wanted to add a dimension of history and meaning to the design in addition to the spiritual connection.

'Charter Oak' Celtic Tree Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Star of Life Tattoo

Last year this ER Nurse from Maine asked me to draw up the EMS Star of Life in Celtic style, and I jumped at the challenge. I have been SAVED by paramedics, I admire and respect them, I was very enthusiastic to create this as a tribute to them in my style. Then the man decided to make the pilgrimage to the Left Coast and get it installed, and today he has this permanent badge of honor for his commitment to his profession.

Celtic Star of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish

The symbol of the noble professionals paramedics and emergency medical technicians, reborn with a Celtic knotwork element to be a shield of honor. 

Celtic Knotwork Clover Tattoo

Isn't everyone secretly envious of the Irish, with their designation as the Lucky Ones and their splendid symbol of the 4 leaved clover? A fine repeat client came in today and got this original knot work clover design of mine, an ethnic statement of his determination to make his own luck.

Celtic Knotwork Clover Tattoo by Pat Fish