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Channel: Pat Fish's Tattoo Blog - LuckyFish, Inc. and Tattoo Santa Barbara
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Double Diamond Knot Celtic Band Tattoos

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Recently a happily married couple came to have the pattern on their wedding rings made into permanent symbols of their devotion. His arm band matches her anklet, both replicating an ancient nautical knot that is a favorite used to form a decorative loop at the end of a lanyard. It is variously known as the double diamond, Carrick bend, and Josephine knot. In heraldry it is the Wake knot, and figures on the badges of many families.

double-diamond-celtic-tattoo.jpg double-diamond-knot-tattoo.jpg

Their rings were crafted by the esteemed jeweler Wilfy Mac Manus, of Mac Manus & Sons, who I recommend unhesitatingly for Celtic jewelry.


Pictish Geometric Spiral Chest Plate Tattoos

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Today marks the culmination of 50 hours of tattooing to create this set of sleeves and now the chest piece. All based on Pictish key patterns and spirals, they represent the highest expression of my goal of bringing the ancient patterns to life in skin. Tribal? This is my kind of tribal.

Pictish Geometric Spiral Tattoos by Pat Fish

Pictish Geometric Spiral Tattoos by Pat Fish

Here is a link to the previous blog post about this client's sleeves in the same style:

http://www.luckyfish.com/blog/a-sleeve-to-live-up-to

Custom Celtic 'Sleeve of Power' Tattoo

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Today was the second session in the evolution of this dynamic Celtic Knotwork Sleeve. The goal was to make his first tattoo as big as possible, covering the entire upper arm. Go big or go home!

Celtic 'Sleeve of Power' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Sleeve of Power' Tattoo by Pat Fish

If you'd like to check out the previous session, its blog post is HERE.

Celtic 'Triplicate Significance' Dedication Tattoo

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Today a returning client chose this design as a dedication for his grandfather, father, and uncle. Wearing the names of these men in the center of his chest is a way to show his connection with them, and honor their continuing influence, having guided him to become the man he is today.

'Triplicate Significance' Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Triplicate Significance' Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

"One of the most recognizable Celtic symbols, the triskle within a circle makes a beautiful tattoo. This allows for three significant words or names to be placed in the ring. Often the names of children or other loved ones are placed inside the ring, which acts like a banner in a dedication tattoo."

Floral Tapestry Shoulder Tattoo

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Recently a servicewoman returning from active duty overseas decided to add to her tattoo collection with this extensive floral patterning. Draping gracefully across her shoulder, it is feminine and bold, tribal and timeless.

Floral Tapestry Shoulder Tattoo by Pat Fish

Floral Tapestry Shoulder Tattoo by Pat Fish

There are several tattoo designs in the LuckyFish Art Store featuring this pattern:

Delicate Celtic Bracelet Tattoo

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This client chose a delicate vine-like pattern for a feminine bracelet. Inspired by a page margin originally found in a Medieval Book of Hours, the weaving line of leaves forms loops and links like fine jewelry. A touch of blue color brings it to life.

Delicate Celtic Bracelet Tattoo by Pat Fish

Delicate Celtic Bracelet Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Ceremonial Guard' Tattoo

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Today this client with a pre-existing Celtic cross asked for an extension, an epaulette of knot work to extend the tattoo up onto his shoulder, in honor of his fallen brother. The custom design was fitted around the cross to frame and expand it, and serve as a memorial of a brave man lost.

Celtic 'Ceremonial Guard' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Ceremonial Guard' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Skeleton Hands Claddagh' Tattoo

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Recently a woman with a quirky sense of humor asked me to design this rather macabre claddagh, with the traditional hands changed to skeletal bones.

Celtic 'Skeleton Hands Claddagh' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Skeleton Hands Claddagh' Tattoo by Pat Fish


'Shin Guard' Body Armor Celtic Tattoo

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Today I completed this leg after three sessions that were a bit grueling for the client, but now and forever he will look splendid in a kilt! My favorite kind of work, making an intricate Celtic tattoo that asks a complex knotwork to conform to a body part, living armor.

'Shin Guard' Body Armor Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Shin Guard' Body Armor Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Shin Guard' Celtic Body Armor Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Shin Guard' Celtic Body Armor Tattoo by Pat Fish

Polynesian Theme Back Piece Tattoo

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Today I worked on and possibly completed this back piece tattoo I've been adding onto for several years. She got the first small piece of it while on vacation, and then came to me wanting more, and more. It evolved into a theme.

Polynesian Theme BackPiece Tattoo by Pat Fish

Polynesian Theme BackPiece Tattoo by Pat Fish

Progressing With A Viking Sleeve Tattoo

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Today a client with an ambitious plan for an entire sleeve of Viking tattoo designs added this lively dragon, The body is from an ancient runestone, with the head a modern interpretation of the ancient style. Added to the previous work he is building a sleeve that is rendered in several styles: dynamic band with whip-shading, pointillist dots in the dragon, and tribal boldness in the Helm of Awe.

Viking Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Viking Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Japanese Mon Tattoo

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Today a woman of Japanese descent came in for her hereditary family crest. A classic design, a delicate celebration of her heritage, a bold first tattoo.

This particular mon features "kiri", or Paulownia, leaves and flowers.

Japanese Mon Tattoo by Pat Fish

Japanese Mon Tattoo by Pat Fish

"Mon (紋), also monshō (紋章), mondokoro (紋所), and kamon (家紋), are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual or family. While mon is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device, kamon and mondokoro refer specifically to emblems used to identify a family.

The devices are similar to the badges and coats of arms in European heraldic tradition, which likewise are used to identify individuals and families. Monare often referred to as crests in Western literature, another European heraldic device similar to the mon in function." -Wikipedia

Sister Sea Star Tattoos

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Today two almost-twin sisters brought in their own design to share the experience of getting the same tattoo. They call themselves the Starfish Sisters, so now their ankles are decorated with a dainty starfish and a vine with two tiny pearls. Together forever in matching skin art!

Sister Sea Star Tattoos by Pat Fish

Sister Sea Star Tattoos by Pat Fish

Russian Silhouette Swallows Tattoo

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Today an adventurous world-traveling academic came in for her second tattoo, nostalgic for her Russian homeland. The swallow has long been a tattoo popular with sailors, who saw it as a talisman for returning home safely. In Russia they are a common and favored species, and everywhere they travel they bring a smile to those who observe their agile aerial antics.

Russian Silhouette Swallows Tattoo by Pat Fish

Russian Silhouette Swallows Tattoo by Pat Fish

Materials Science Tattoo

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Recently a local academic returned for his second eccentric materials science tattoo.  This one features a schematic of a 3-point Bend Test, mirrored for symmetry, and incorporating significant initials representing his family.

3-point Bend Test Schematic Tattoo by Pat Fish

3-point Bend Test Schematic Tattoo by Pat Fish


Custom Celtic Compass Cuff Tattoo

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Today a man gave me an interesting assignment. He wanted a Viking Vegvisir, in a cuff on his forearm, extending from the elbow toward the wrist. He had gotten his first tattoo in a discrete location, and he was ready for one he could show off! So I opened up a traditional block of Celtic knot work, bent the weave to leave an open space, and inserted the runic compass. Now he has body armor to carry him forward to new adventures, and a compass to make sure he can always find his way home.

Custom Celtic Compass Cuff Tattoo by Pat FIsh

Custom Celtic Compass Cuff Tattoo by Pat FIsh

Celtic Armor Knotwork Tattoo

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Today a military man came in for the second session on this extensive Celtic body armor knotwork tattoo. One continuous weave, fully integrated together into one pattern, flowing from the neckline down to the middle of the upper arm where it forms a complete band. In a third and final session we will complete shading and he will have a warrior's tattoo to carry with him into battle wherever his fortunes may lead him.

Celtic Knot Armor Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Knot Armor Tattoo by Pat Fish

Beginning a Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo

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Today a man whose ultimate intention is a full Celtic knot work sleeve made this bold beginning. Rather than outline a large area, we took the alternate option of completing what I could complete in one day. We got enough completed that it looks like a dynamic cuff, and looking closely you can see that the weave at the top of the knots has open lines, which will be connected seamlessly to the next session, to be added in a month.

Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo begun by Pat Fish

Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo begun by Pat Fish

Delicate Pink Butterfly Tattoo

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Today a lady who has gotten several tattoos from me over the years came in with an impulse to embellish her foot. A fondness for pedicures and fancy nail art led her to decide that a bit of art on the skin was necessary. Just a little something girly and delicate, to show off in summer sandals.

Delicate Pink Butterfly Tattoo by Pat Fish

Delicate Pink Butterfly Tattoo by Pat Fish

Pictish 'Spiral Anticipation' Tattoo

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Today a playwright and actress of Scottish heritage came for a Pictish spiral pattern on her ankle. The central triple spiral spins out into single spirals, presenting an attractive balanced shape to enhance her leg. Embellishment in anticipation of the many interesting roads she is set to explore in her future.

Pictish 'Spiral Anticipation' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Pictish 'Spiral Anticipation' Tattoo by Pat Fish

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