Some of my Celtic artwork.

**Dirka Skene** · 30th January 07, 09:44 AM

Here a few pictures of my Celtic artwork.

This is my husband's Celtic Cross tattoo, designed by me and tattooed by James Lovette of Memphis Tattoos off Beale.

This is some of my henna work. The stain on the skin usually darkens a bit more, anywhere from a reddish brown to walnut to almost black, but I used a poor quality henna and it won't darken much more than this. I didn't get the best lines because the paste turned out a little runny.

This is a version of the Celtic Tree of Life, with henna paste still on.

This is a Lion Rampant Shield, with henna paste still on, and directly after it has been removed. It's not exactly perfect because my canvas simply refused to stop breathing.

This isn't celtic but it's still neat. The symbols in the flowers mean "ohm."

Hope you like them.

**McMurdo** · 30th January 07, 09:48 AM

Cool
I like the Celtic Cross tattoo, not so much into the henna, but I understand that to do it you need talent, an old roomate of mine was a henna artist, nice work, thanks for posting them.

**Macman** · 30th January 07, 10:02 AM

Very nice art. I too like the Celtic Cross, but my wife has let me know that she thinks I have enough tattoos.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 30th January 07, 10:07 AM

Pretty cool.

**Warlock** · 30th January 07, 03:19 PM

WOW! Beautiful and talented!

**SnakeEyes** · 30th January 07, 03:33 PM

Great artwork. I love the Tree of Life on the palm like that, great stuff.

P.S.

Originally Posted by Macman

Very nice art. I too like the Celtic Cross, but my wife has let me know that she thinks I have enough tattoos.

Enough tattoos? That's like saying you have too much money.

**Retro Red** · 30th January 07, 03:55 PM

Wow, that's fantastic!

All of it is well done, but I'm particularly impressed with the intricacies of the Celtic cross & the non-Celtic hand work.

Got a question for ya... Is it considered weird for guys to get henna art?

I'm not interested in permanent ink work (I've got plenty of my own natural leopard-pattern tattoo, more commonly called freckles), but I find henna art interesting because it's not permanent, but I've only ever seen gals get it.

As for your canvas refusing to stop breathing, next time securing cellophane over the nose & mouth for several minutes will take care of that problem...

.

**Monkey@Arms** · 30th January 07, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Retro Red

Got a question for ya... Is it considered weird for guys to get henna art?

Nice work, Dirka.

RR,

I've gotten henna "tattoos" in the past at local street fairs and festivals (dragon designs as I recall) Lots of fun, just don't get one on the small of your back and you'll still look like a guy

Best regards,

Jake

**GMan** · 30th January 07, 05:26 PM

Nice very nice indeed.

**Dirka Skene** · 31st January 07, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Retro Red

Got a question for ya... Is it considered weird for guys to get henna art?

.

It's not wierd at all. I've hennaed several men. I also use indigo to paint designs, many men seem to prefer that but it's a painstaking application process often taking several applications for the indigo to stain the skin the desired color. The Rampant Lion Shield was done on my husband.
Ancient celtic (mostly Norse Celtic) warriors used a form of temporary bodily marking to apply protective symbols on their bodies. Many Middle Eastern men still henna themselves as a status symbol, protection from enemies, and for luck. It's definitely not just for women. Warriors would also henna themselves so that upon their demise, whosoever finds their bodies could identify their rank, religion, clan and so on.