Skin Deep Magazine Revue

Celtic Tattoo Two

For his third tattoo work book, renowned artist Courtney Davis returns to the subject he is best known for - Celtic designs. His first Celtic Tattoo Workbook was very popular, not only with tattoo artists seeking authentic and creative Celtic designs but also with tattoo collectors, looking for their next piece of artwork.

This second Celtic volume takes Courtney's ideas both further forward and backward, if that doesn't sound too contradictory! Not only does he move Celtic design forward with come modern interpretations of traditional imagery, he also delves into the history of the design style and includes early pagan Celtic work. As Courtney himself puts it "Over my 20 years of creating Celtic designs, most of the emphasis has been on the time looked on as the golden age of Celtic illumination, with very little design work of the early pagan styles. This book hopefully goes a little way to start making up for my misspent youth in missing this period out."

This workbook certainly contains some stunning and inspirational artwork, from the very simple spiral motifs to complicated images of depth and detail. All are reproduced in an eminently useable way as Courtney Davis has a good understanding of what is and isn't tattooable. The book is spiral bound to lie flat in a copier or stencil maker or the pages can be removed for use.

Celtic style tattoo designs have endured in popularity over the last two decades or so, much of that popularity is down the Courtney Davis' hard work in producing designs and championing the cause of Celtic. Many people have said that the wave of Celtic tattoos has passed but if my Skin Deep post bag is anything to go by, Celtic tattoos are right back in vogue, so to speak. Courtney Davis' designs and historical references can only help ensure the continuing popularity of this style of tattoo. With many people yearning for depth and meaning in their lives, it is not surprising that more and more of us are looking to the roots of our own culture for beautiful and meaningful artwork for our skins.

Courtney Davis Celtic Tattoo Workbook 2, with its informative introduction by tattooist brothers Jim and Dudley Burgess, and its clear, tattooable designs, is a valuable addition to any tattoo book shelf. Incidentally if you have done a tattoo of a Courtney Davis design or if you wear one, he is keen to add to his online tattoo gallery. E-mail your photos to info@awenpress.com

REVIEWED BY SALLY
Skin Deep September 2003