Today I added to an evolving sleeve. This man got the raven pattern in the center from me seven years ago, then added the arch over them last year, and his ambition continues! So today we added the full band below, with points of knotwork drawn up to make a frame around the birds.
'Watchers" Celtic Knotwork Half-Sleeve Tattoo
Today a client with fondness for the video games of his youth chose to enshrine symbols of his favorites in this custom tattoo. At the center is the iconic Triforce design from 'The Legend of Zelda' series, rendered with a Celtic twist. Framing that is the stylized A from the "Assassin's Creed' logo. Climbing the A is a graphic representation of "Mew" - a mysterious and rare cat-like creature from the Pokemon media franchise. An eccentric and nostalgic tattoo for a child of the digital generation!
Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and Assassin's Creed symbols tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a woman who has hiked the scenic Pacific Crest Trail came to get a personalized version of the trail sign as a permanent reminder of her accomplishment. The trail stretches all the way from Mexico to Canada, and to conquer it she did stretches of it on 4 consecutive summers. between the ages of 65 and 68, and plans to try to do a thru-hike when she is 70 in 2 years. A brave example for us all!
Pacific Crest Trail Tattoo by Pat Fish
"The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges . . . The trail's southern terminus is on the U.S. border with Mexico, just south of Campo, California, and its northern terminus on the Canada–US border on the edge of Manning Park in British Columbia; its corridor through the U.S. is in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,659 mi long and ranges in elevation from just above sea level at the Oregon–Washington border to 13,153 feet at Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada. The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks." - Wikipedia
PCT Route Map
A tree growing around a PCT sign.
Today a man returned after eleven years to add to his tattoo collection. He rode his Moto Guzzi all the way from Tennessee, an epic cross-country trek, to refresh the band I did in 2005 and add a cross above it. I left the soft aged shading in the band as evidence of a tattoo well worn, but relined and recolored it, and then added the new cross above, matching the blue of his eyes.
Celtic Cross and Band Tattoos by Pat Fish
Today a woman came in for a cuff around a pre-existing thistle. She'd gone all the way to Scotland and got a symbolic Scots thistle but it was a bit wonky, so I redrew it and then placed a band of Celtic knotwork around it and a pre-existing word, tying them all together.
Celtic Cuff and Thistle Tattoo by Pat Fish
Celtic Thistle and Cuff Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today I finished a second session on this lower leg wrap of Celtic knotwork. The pattern started with a knot found in a band in the 9th century Book of Kells. That was expanded out to a grid, with two of the knots running vertical and the one around the ankle running horizontal. I think the artistic monks would have been happy to see their careful geometry adapted and reused in this new form.
Full Calf Celtic Knotwork Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today I did an unusual special request, a Celtic cross surrounded by cherry blossoms. Uniting European and Asian symbolism for a unique tattoo that is both intricate and delicate.
Cherry Blossom Celtic Cross Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a father whose dedication to his autistic son has been a major focus for many years got this custom design to express that connection. Early intervention and family involvement with professional guidance have led to his son overcoming many challenges, and now his son is succeeding in high school. And his father will wear this symbol of love forever.
Autism Father-Son Dedication Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a slithering dragon from a Viking Runestone came to life again in skin. A man whose maternal heritage is Nordic chose this bold and ancient pattern to fill his upper arm. This tattoo will allow him to access his inner Viking Warrior: "The difference between a warrior and an ordinary man is that a warrior sees everything as a challenge, while an ordinary man sees everything as a blessing or a curse."
Viking Serpent Dragon Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today saw the third session on this sleeve, a very long and highly organized pattern of interlocking Celtic knots and loops, complex enough to require many hours to be complete. Transformational !
Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a mother with a large family came in for a tattoo that expresses her devotion to her children and husband and her connection to her ethnic ancestry. A Celtic Tree of Life with a heart in the roots, showing her love with this permanent embellishment.
Mother's Heart Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish
Follow the link below to browse a wide selection of Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo Designs available for sale and immediate download at LuckyFishArt.com:
Click here to browse a great selection of Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo Designs at LuckyFishArt.com
Today a fourth session brought this full sleeve to fruition, one continuous knotwork interlace pattern from shoulder cap to wrist. It requires a lot of stamina from both artist and client to finish up a project this ambitious. I am grateful for the opportunity to do such transformative art.
Full Sleeve Celtic Knot 'Body Armor' Tattoo by Pat Fish
This design started as a custom pattern request from a man who lives in the mid-West. He was very clear about what he wanted, so I accepted the commission and drew it up for him and called it done. But no! Next thing I knew, he'd decided a trip to California for a permanent souvenir was in order, and he packed up his fiancé and flew West to have me do the installation. I was more than pleased. I always like to see a design come to life in skin as a tattoo.
A swirling pattern to give fluid motion to this woman's walk, to assure that she always puts her best foot forward on the true path.
A man with an extensive tattoo collection came West for something Celtic, but was also intrigued by the pointillist shading technique not practiced in his area. Now he can return home with something unique that ties him to his ancestral heritage and satisfies his yearning to BE ART.
Today a couple who have been happily married for twenty years came a very long distance to celebrate their epic anniversary with matching tattoos. Most people have a hard time picking just one tattoo, it is simply amazing when two can agree on one for them both. Here they celebrate their shared Scottish/Welsh heritage with a custom design of two European dragons, forming a loving heart.
Custom Celtic 'Anniversary Dragons' Tattoos by Pat Fish
Today this man came in to expand his tattoo collection with more Celtic art. When he was 18 this shamrock made him feel so rad! Now, it is a tiny off-center memory, something to retain for sentiment, deserving of a frame. Future plans are under consideration to add something more to the middle, but for now today he has acquired a claddagh ring with his children's initials in the cuffs.
Custom Claddagh Ring Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a midwife who previously had me install this tree of life with a fox denned in the roots came back for more. We added the Celtic midwifery symbol and a band flowing around it, made form the triple spirals of the Shandwick stone carving. A nice example of how a sleeve evolves over time, as elements are added.
Midwife 'Band of Life' Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a man with nostalgia for the oak tree in his mother's yard came in for a permanent representation of it, drawn from actual photos. The tree might be cut down, limbs may fall, but now it lives forever in his skin. In a unique expression of heritage, he asked that the roots rise from the Newgrange kerbstone, the stone at the entrance to the most celebrated neolithic tomb in Ireland.
Ancient Roots Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a man whose youthful enthusiasm for the Roadrunner cartoon had long since faded like the tattoo came in to cover it up. We used a triangular Celtic knot to represent the prism on the iconic 1973 Pink Floyd album cover for "Dark Side of the Moon."
Celtic Prism Tattoo by Pat Fish
