Jonathan’s tattoo began with his love for his son. The challenge was to give that bond a visual form: something personal enough to hold his pride, his hope and the way he sees his child.
The heart of the composition
The glowing heart sits at the center of the piece, carrying the love between father and son. Puzzle pieces bring in the tattoo’s autism awareness theme. The butterfly adds transformation, growth and hope.
Each element has a purpose within this particular family tribute. Together, they let the design hold several feelings without asking one image to express everything.
Finding a form for what matters
I used bold contrasts, shading and color blending to connect the elements. The heart gives the eye a place to settle, while the surrounding images continue the story.
A tribute can take many forms. Here, its meaning lives in a combination of symbols and color. Understanding the person behind the idea is what helps me decide which visual relationships deserve the most attention.
See the tribute take shape
The film above follows the tattoo through timelapse and real time footage. It brings you closer to the process behind the heart, puzzle pieces and butterfly.
If there is someone you want to honor through a tattoo, start by telling me about them. The qualities you love and the details you remember can give us a more personal starting point than a finished design.
Keep exploring
Odysseus: a story carried in the cracks
A lantern to carry through the dark