Iconic Images
AMERICAN EAGLE
TheBaldEagle isa mainstay oftraditional American
tattooing,andthechesteagledesignisprobablythemost
iconic form of traditionaltattooing. Inthis piece it is
incorporatedwith severalothertraditionalideasintoa
cohesive piece.
Theclientisadiverin thenavy, andhas beenin the
servicefortwentyplusyearsandiscurrentlytherankof
chief.Hebroughtmetwoexamplesoftraditionalchest
designsandwantedthemcombined,alongwithadding
thebadgeinthecenterthatispartofthediversuniform.
Ropewasusedastheborderaroundthebadgetoforma
definite frame. Along with the American flag, he
requestedtheJollyRogerontheothersidetostrayfrom
traditionabit.Theanchorisonthebottom,andflowers
areusedasadesignelementalongtheedges.Waterison
thebottomofthedesigntoaddmovement,andthisisa
Navytattooafterall,soofcourseyouneedwater,right?
And to top it all off is the eagle, front and center.