Today was the final session on an ambitious piece. I designed this Celtic half-sleeve for a client who is a family man, as a way to visually represent his love for his children and his role as their protector. The Celtic dog, Celtic cat, and Nordic dragon represent his three kids, and he is the owl with his wings spread to encircle and shelter them within his embrace.
Family Animals Celtic Half Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today's client added an Eastern Orthodox christogram, "Jesus Christ Conquers," to a traditional Celtic wheel cross to represent both his Celtic heritage and his faith. The large size he chose allowed me to render it in precise detail. Using a combination of line, soft shading, and a dotted background gives depth and dimensionality with the use of only black ink.
Celtic Cross of St. John Tattoo by Pat Fish
The intricate knotwork of the Cross of Saint John continues into the central element, in an unusual example of a completely joined knotted pattern cross.
This evening a man with a spiritual connection to many religions chose as his tattoo this powerful symbol from the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu traditions. Wearing symbolic representations of the icons of faith can bring the surface of the body closer to the mind and spirit, uniting them as one.
Double Vajra Tattoo by Pat Fish
"Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is used symbolically by the dharma traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. The use of the vajra as a symbolic and ritual tool spread from India along with Indian religion and culture to other parts of Asia."
The pattern for this tattoo is available for purchase and immediate download at
This client commissioned a custom half sleeve based around my 'valor knot', and this is the result after the first two sessions. The original knot is round, and it is now extended with complimentary knot weaves to be a wide band that extends down to his elbow and fills the inside of the arm. The first session required fitting the knots to the body, and linking up the lines and connections. The second session was taken up with making all the lines crisp, and shading the "cross-overs and -unders." In the third and final session a colored background will complete the project.
Celtic Valor Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish
The essence of bravery is distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy. Whatever the conflict, whatever the cause, it is those with valor who watch our backs. This integrated knot work is body armor for the brave.
