Brad’s ana’ole

I just got back from holoholo on Maui.
What appears to be a collection of chicken nuggets, is in fact my friend’s back and his new  tattoo. It is an upper back/ shoulder piece that is nestled on top of an already existing tribal piece. Because of the shape of the tattoo already there, I opted not to design this piece as paka. Paka are essentially the ‘slices’ of tattoo design that conform to areas of the body and are defined by borders of either artwork or shading. Paka are designed to be added to, much like pieces of a puzzle. Traditional Polynesian is based on the paka usage, albeit in a very regimented and defined fashion. Ana’ole does not have to fit into a specific shape and can actually be more open than a traditional piece. When designing a piece in this way, it is called, pauku ,which means section. If a piece does not have paka, it is a pauku. However several paka can also make up a pauku. Confused? Read on.
This tattoo was to celebrate the life of my good friend Brad’s mother, Susan. She loved Bob Marley’s song, Three Little Birds and Brad wanted something that involved birds. After much discussion, and by that I mean drinking, we arrived at a something that would utilize the birds to illustrate Susan’s journey through life.
We decided on the ‘iwa bird because it is an animal that can travel vast distances.
Brad wanted the bird to represent the stages of life and death, and so the story moves from right to left across his back/shoulders. Because the ‘iwa represented his mother, the image changes as it makes it progression across his back.
Beginning with his right shoulder, the bird is solid black and seen flying over the aina (land). The aina is represented by three plants, the sword fern/kupukupu (life, growth, overcoming adversity, because it can grow in lava rock), red ginger/awapuhi (impermanence, cleansing) and aloe (healing, catharsis). All three plants are set into a’a lava rock.
The ‘iwa is following a current of wind which blows over the sea, represented by three waves inset with FS. The bird at this point is grayish as it begins to journey onward. becoming ‘lighter’. It is positioned at the base of his neck.
On his left shoulder are three stars which overlap one another. This symbolizes Susan’s journey into the heavens and is reflected in the ‘iwa by making the bird ‘white’ which is really just the color of Brad’s skin. The progression is meant to convey the journey from the land of the living (tangible) to the heavens (intangible)
Because Brad has spent much of his life frolicking in the surf sans sun screen, his shoulders have become sensitive and we could not finish the piece (it had nothing to do with the shader, promise!). As it sits it is at 90%.
We also used Susan’s ashes in this piece.
Love you, brother!
Peace!