The Artist, My New Tattoo, and the Meaning Behind It

Readers of this blog may recall previous posts about The History of Tattoos and my Love of the Art and The Stories of My Tattoos also commonly referred to as a ‘tat’ or ink’. I have been ready for a new tattoo for awhile now, but have really taken my time in deciding which Artist I would use, an important process which should not be underestimated with permanent artwork. I’d been 90 percent certain that it would be a local Northern Californian talent, whose gifted work I had seen on a few people, and whose portfolio had impressed me. I got the extra push the other day when I asked the guy behind the counter at the local bakery which Artist he’d used for his tat, which was clearly well done. He looked at me and replied in a tone ripe with the implication that I should already know the answer, “Nate!” Ahhh, yes, of course. So, off to Nate Daugherty of Ukiah Tattoo Company I went for my tattoo, an ink project for which I had been unable to find an image in existence, but could see clearly in my mind.

Ukiah Tattoo Company

Fortunately Nate enjoys custom tattoo work, and was happy to sit down with me to draw out what I had in mind. I learned that Nate has been drawing and making Art since he could hold a pencil, and had attempted to do his first tat at the age of 14. Recognizing that he should be getting professional experience, he began working for a tattoo studio about ten years ago, where he learned everything about tattoos, the importance of safety procedures, and the cleanliness needs of shop and tools. His favourite images to tattoo are black and grey work, traditional Japanese work and anything custom. It was inspiring to listen to him talk about tattooing, as he clearly Loves it and is living his passion. When asked what inspires him he replied, “My daughter. My wife. And, my business partner.” He recently opened Ukiah Tattoo Company with fellow Artist Brant Dobson, who is also gifted, and together they motivate and push each other to exceed at their Art.

Nate Daugherty tattoos my foot

A few months back I had dreamt that I had gotten a tattoo on my right foot, and awakened knowing that it would be the next body part to get ink. I didn’t realize that it has become trendy to get feet tattooed, but Nate tells me that trends seem to lean more towards specific locations more than actual designs. “People were getting a lot of nautical stars a couple of years ago,” he explained, “but mostly it’s about location more than it is an actual tattoo image.” As I am about to begin Graduate school, I felt that a tattoo on the right side of my body (the masculine side of the body representing being out in the World) seemed appropriate to me. Combining my favourite symbols into a mandala (a geometric pattern representing the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically) was an idea which evolved after the foot tattoo dream.

My New Tattoo

I LOVE my new tattoo, and am Grateful to Nate for his willingness to combine the images I wanted. I wanted the center of my mandala to be a heart, in which I kept seeing an aum (also written om) symbol ॐ which is a Hindu symbol representing the vibration of the Supreme and the manifestation of God in form, without beginning or end, encompassing all that exists and embodying the very essence of the Universe. Around the heart is a green circle, which is surrounded by an eight petaled purple lotus. Purple is the colour of spirituality, and the eight petaled lotus represents cosmic harmony. I asked for spirals (another image I have always Loved) to be inside four of the eight lotus petals, and incorporated all of the chakra colours within the mandala. I am very pleased with the outcome! Thank you so much, Nate, for my Awesome new tattoo!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia