Today a man with a fondness for atomic energy asked for this custom combination of an atomic symbol and a triple Celtic spiral. Previously underneath was a tattoo of an atomic explosion mushroom cloud made of skulls, something he'd rather cover up, while staying still on theme.
Atomic Spiral Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a devoted father finished up this tribute to his four children. Only his back had enough canvas for this! The beautiful High Cross of Skibbereen is expanded on the ends to allow the names of his beloved offspring, a permanent way to show how much he cares for them.
A Dedication Version of the Celtic High Cross of Skibbereen Tattoo
Today three clients played a memorable joke on their significant others. Using the magic of Photoshop, the LuckyFish resident IT wizard ColinFraser embellished each of them with the name of someone who then received a shocking text message with a photo of the dedication tattoo they may have yearned for.......
April Fools' Tattoo Images by ColinFraser
Recently I finished this tattoo by adding wings to a Celtic knot work crow skull. I drew the feathers the way they look when viewed back-lit, emphasizing the overlaps, and then dotted and lightly shaded to give them dimensionality. It is my Celtic nod to the American eagle old school chest tattoo that has been popular for many decades.
Winged Celtic Crow Skull Tattoo by Pat Fish
Recently a man asked for this small representation of the Trinity, a Christian symbol that dates back through many cultures. Timeless and meaningful, a touchstone for faith.
'Classic Trinity' Celtic Knot Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a woman came in who had purchased one of my designs online and was unhappy with the installation. It was done too dark, overly shaded, and the lines were quite shaky. So I relined it and added two light bright colors of green to revive it.
Celtic 'Sisterhood Knot' Tattoo by Pat Fish
Recently a woman wanting timeless and feminine art was influenced by our historical archives to choose this ancient La Tene culture motif. The graceful spirals form an unusual anklet, flowing with her as she walks.
La Tene Swirls Anklet Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a man whose tattoo enthusiasm in younger days meant acquiring a lot of 1990's style tribal came in with a better idea. His band actually said "Make a short story long" in "intentionally illegible" tribal lettering. Now, he wanted the look of a pauldron, body armor across the shoulder. What I created for him took some creative compromising, but gets him on track to move forward with his plans for more tattoos.
Tribal Tattoo Upgraded by Pat Fish
Today a man who shares my fondness for big dogs came in to get a Celtic wheel of three Great Danes. I rendered it in pointillist dots to give it more visual interest. The original in the Book of Kells, on Folio 29r., is three lions chasing in a wheel. I have in the past morphed it to be both Irish Wolfhounds and greyhounds, and am happy to make a new Great Dane version.
Triple Great Danes Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish
Here is the page from the Book of Kells featuring the original design (inset), and below it are links to the other versions.
Recently a man requested a shield-shaped knotwork to fill the upper part of his arm, with a central Celtic knot ring for focus. Working with his anatomy we came up with this symmetrical flow, an abstract embellishment that moves well with the musculature.
'Ring of Power' Custom Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a client who got the 'War Dog Band' last year came back to expand and enhance it. We placed a new thin band of Celtic knotwork above and below it, very similar to one used in the horizontal lines of the photo's frame. Filling in the background with green and selectively coloring orange in the dogs' bodies and the background of the braid lines gives him a tattoo in the colors of the Irish flag, and one that is much more dynamic on his calf.
Enhanced 'Dogs of War' Celtic Band Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a Viking power-lifter strongman client came in for a band, and only a big one would suffice. For a strength athlete a small tattoo just will not do! We installed a bold and dynamic version of this interlocking knot that looks like a line of chain mail.
This pattern is from a 10th Century stone slab on the Isle of Man. Many of the Manx stones show a merging of Norse and Celtic art styles. Read more about the stones HERE.
Viking Link Band Tattoo by Pat FIsh
A cross with the same pattern is available at LuckyFish Art:
Today a man for whom I previously did a large custom knot came back and added a matching band beneath, expanding to a half-sleeve. Taking some elements from the first piece, the overall coverage is greatly expanded and it presents as one tattoo.
'Generations' Half Sleeve Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a loving husband and father came to get this tribute tattoo, a dedication with the initials of his sons and wife. Every time he views it they are with him, in spirit, on his arm and in his heart.
Dedication 'Faithful Heart' Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish
Recently a man who had started with a four-quarters tree of life pattern on his upper arm with runes had an inspiration. We expanded him from one tattoo to a half sleeve by adding two dragons below, calling up the story of Yggadrasil the World Tree of Nordic mythology. Now it is a melding of the symbols of both the Celtic and Viking cultures.
Neo-Nordic Yggadrasil Tattoo by Pat Fish
Recently I was pleased to reproduce one of my favorite of the Pictish stone carvings, the magnificent Mermaid of Meigle. I do love translating the whimsical and enigmatic stone carvings of my Scottish ancestors into art in skin.
Celtic 'Mermaid of Meigle' Tattoo
Today a Southern Belle with a taste for adventure and an extensive tattoo collection came out to the Left Coast to add Celtic art to her leg. Thirteen petals in the sunflower surround an Irish 2 pence coin, with the intricate bird expressing her connection to her Irish and Scottish ancestors. A fine permanent souvenir of her epic trek West.
Irish 2p Bird Coin Tattoo
Recently a woman requested a special dragon for her leg, melding the design styles of the Nordic dragons with Celtic knotwork and pointillist stipple shading. He crawls up the calf in a sinuous shape that complements the body and looks like trouble.
NeoCeltic Dragon Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today I finished a body for this dragon begun a year ago. To give it a serpentine form that filled the front of his arm I made an abstract undulating shape, and added a small eel to create a thin line for an extra level of interest.
Here is a link to the previous session with just the head:
http://www.luckyfish.com/blog/viking-ryder-dragon-tattoo
Recently a woman had an unusual request: a tattoo with a Celtic dragon and a phoenix, interacting in flames. To create the dragon I made an infinity symbol of Celtic knot lines, weaving in and out of the Tibetan flame, which forms the pyre for the rising phoenix above.
A writhing Celtic dragon climbs through a Tibetan flame, intent on snagging the immortal Phoenix, forever beyond his grasp.
