National Tattoo Association Convention 2014

National Tattoo Association Poster

National Tattoo Association Poster

In May 2014 I attended and lectured at the 35th annual National Tattoo Association Convention in Garden Grove, California. I've been a member of the NTA for 30 years, and these "family reunions" are an opportunity to catch up on the careers of people I have known for decades and see inspiring work. I was honored to win two awards with a "Pictish Keymorphic" right forearm that received both People's Choice and Artists' Choice Awards for best tribal tattoo.

Colin Fraser and I presented a  slide show and lecture: CELTIC TATTOOS & TRADITIONS, An illustrated lecture about Celtic and Pictish art with an emphasis on historical sources and the adaptation of archival material to modern tattooing. Examples of ancient artworks and tattoos created from them, plus technical tips for successfully fitting Celtic knotwork patterns onto the body.

And I am pleased that I was able to once again share my booth with my esteemed colleague Colin Dale:

Pat Fish and Colin Dale Booth Banner by Colin Fraser Purcell

Pat Fish and Colin Dale Booth Banner by Colin Fraser Purcell

Award WInning Pictish Keymorphic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Award WInning Pictish Keymorphic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Working hard in the booth . . . 

Working hard in the booth . . .