Rebekka and I recently finished up her second sleeve. The first (comprised of floral, geometric elements, and an anatomical heart) was completed 5 years ago in 2019. The most recent was completed over the course of a five months starting in late 2023.

The tattoo on her inner arm depicts the figure of Amphitrite from Greek mythology; the Goddess of the Sea and Marine life as well as the feminine balancing force to her husband Poseidon. The outer arm depicts a clipper ship being attacked by the mythic Kraken. The sea is both calm and tranquil; it is also both turbulent and chaotic.

It's all about balance.

I love tattooing flowers.

Floral tattoos lend themselves quite nicely to the flow and form of the human body: complimentary shaped petals that mirror and echo the curves of an arm and leaves that tumble and twirl around the curvature of a rib cage. These design are always a joy to draw and to tattoo. I'm always excited when potential clients reach out with design that include floral elements.

Birth flowers for loved ones, herbs for healing, or botanicals that acknowledge significant life events. Perhaps the blossoms from a wedding bouquet  or blooms which used to adorn the backyard of a grandparent who has since passed away; flowers are a powerful way to mark something meaningful without having to disclose the underlying intent of a tattoo. There is always strength and potency in subtlety.

Flowers emit a balancing of energies. Their bold power exudes delicate grace and a fragility that's met with unforgiving resilience. We give flowers to celebrate birth and acknowledge death. The intoxicating scent of a rose cannot be enjoyed without cautiously minding the prick of its thorns. There's an exciting tension created by two opposing forces together in harmonic union.

Here's some projects that feature floral tattoos...

The concept of Sacred Geometry contemplates and concerns repetitious patterns found within all levels of Nature. The curl of a breaking wave, the head of a yellow sunflower around which all it's petals dance, the iconic nautilus shell's unfurling vaults. Ever expanding, spiraling up and out, interpenetrating all physical reality.

Our experience of the physical world is a dance in which the grand unfolding of Nature is interpreted by the five senses; this is Sacred Geometry at work. Energy patterns at all levels of vibration are received as sight, sound, taste, smell and texture to merge into our moment to moment experience of the outer world.

The use of mandalas and other fractal geometric shapes in tattooing can serve as a reminder of the underlying structure of it All. I find the process of tattooing images of this nature to be quite joyful. I get lost in the lines. Over and over, in, out, in and out. It's like a form of meditative tattooing.

As someone with a personal interest in the topic, I get excited when clients reach out with tattoo concepts inspired by these images and ideas. Mandalas and fractal patterns are like visual poetry that reflect the patterns found in the human form.

Here's some examples of work the incorporates sacred geometry in some way shape and form: