Here is a scanned image of the original black and white (color to be added at my next sitting)  artwork created by Chris Higgins for my tattoo. We discussed it for over a year. I came to him with a concept about three months ago. One that Chris magically turned into a piece of art that represents the solid foundations that certain people in my life have contributed to in the most powerful of ways.  The most influential people in my life.  Each symbol represents one or more of my relatives.

Heather is represented by the Celtic star (circle knot-work) and a shamrock (not shown).  The antlers above it represent my dad, Frank.  There are Celtic dogs under the Celtic star (not shown) that are placed like a crest and represent my mother, Jo.  The pistol represents my Great Uncle Fred who was a cowboy and sharp shooter, with all the fancy moves.  A real life quick draw McGraw.  The fish represents most all of my most influential people as they all loved to fish and lived a sustainable lifestyle, maybe barring my Grandma Bance who is represented by the violin.  She and my grandfather (adopted grandfather Ivan), use to play fiddle and hoedown music. It was some of the happiest years of her life.  The peacock feather represents my Great Aunt Pinkie who never had a house for a home, but rather lived her life in a streamline trailer.  The peacock feather bouquet in her bedroom was her only real sense of having a home decorated.

The picture shown is only one half as it repeats  in a chevron pattern on both sides of the Celtic star.  It is placed across my low back. I plan to have something of my brother Timber (who died at age 10) and some more flowers added later this winter.  I may have my stallion Asad added too.  With the artistic talent that Chris has I have no doubt he will come up with something awesome.  What is so amazing to me is that Chris instinctively placed my dad above Heather and my mom (dogs not shown) below Heather which is where they were in her real life protecting her helping to create a stable foundation for her and always being there for her.  Also the dogs being placed like a crest below Heather also brings my dad’s family crest (Catalano), to bear, as it has two greyhounds facing one another.  How Chris could unknowingly and purely instinctively tap into that part of my history I have no idea.  He is a very gifted man.

Chris is open to talking to anyone who would like to explore having a tattoo.  If you have never had one before I highly recommend talking to Chris he will not lead you astray and will help you make quality decisions about the art that you permanently place upon your body.   If you want to contact him please let me know and I will share his email via his permission.

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