Some figures hold your attention through stillness. That was the presence I wanted Athena to have at the center of Lindsay’s Greek mythology sleeve.
Finding the heart of the story
The project began as a tribute to family, memory and the experiences that shape a person. After Odysseus opened the story, Athena gave it a center on the outside of the upper arm.
I wanted her to carry wisdom, resilience, protection and courage. Her strength would come through calmness and clarity. Those qualities made her the figure around which the rest of the sleeve could find its balance.
An ancient presence, made personal
My starting point was the feeling of an ancient sculpture rediscovered through time. I wanted that sense of history in the portrait, together with an emotional presence that belonged to this project.
A subject like Athena offers many possibilities. Choosing what she should communicate is what begins to make the design specific. Here, the focus was on the values the sleeve holds close: intelligence, protection and a quiet sense of purpose.
That is one of the most interesting parts of designing a large tattoo. The central image can give the surrounding work direction. Its presence helps you understand how the other pieces relate to one another.
Building the second chapter
Athena developed over three appointments, with the previous work healed before the next stage. Each return gave us another opportunity to build on what was already there.
The film follows this chapter through timelapse and real time footage. Watch it alongside Odysseus, Hercules and the Golden Fleece to see how one figure becomes part of a complete sleeve.
Your own starting point can be much simpler than a finished concept. Perhaps there is a quality you admire in someone, a memory you want close or an image you have never stopped thinking about. Tell me about that. It gives us something worth exploring together.
Keep exploring
Odysseus: a story carried in the cracks
Hercules: strength with a story behind it