I just got back from the Berlin tattoo convention and have to admit that it was a life changing experience. Never have I witnessed so much talent and appreciation at a tattoo show.
I hope to convey some of that in the newest episode of Tattoo Nomad, which is now up on my Youtube channel.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
Aloha!
Here is some Polynesian work that I’ve done lately as well as some other pieces.
The goddess of the wind, La’amaomao is holding the ipu (calabash) of the 32 winds of Hawaii. The god Lono, is standing on her legs and is seen behind her. Lono is both the ipu and the winds itself, being the god of fertility and wind, among other things.
Client is a kitesurfer.
Modern Marquesan.
Honu is mainly asthetic with some protection thrown in for good measure.
Ana’ole style.
Shoulder cap of strength and growth imagery that is done to represent the talon of a raptor.
Modern Marquesan and taulima.
Shoulder cap, done Ta Moko style (Maori) with taulima influences. This shows his love of family, strength and courage as well as his love of Hawaii.
Ta Moko style upper calf band meant to protect from harm and to look out for danger.
Side piece donw in modern Marquesan with Ta Moko influences. This piece is represents her travel, ancestors, family and growth.
Modern Marquesan, freehand. This is all about power and retaining mana.
Rapanui style, ‘iwa bird.
Mo’o and Honu.
Blue Heron.
Honu and Big Island.
Father and son matching Ku tattoo’s. I tattooed the father a few years ago and so he wanted his son to have the same.
Modern Marquesan chest piece, cover up.
Modern Marquesan, mata kome.
Olive tree branch. In memory of his daughter, Olive. She passed shortly after being born.
Modern Marquesan and Ta Moko, gauntlet. ‘Iwa lani, love of Hawaii and the ocean, his family and protection.
I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had an opportunity to keep up with my blog 😦
I apologize for this and in an attempt to make up for this oversight, I’m posting some of the projects that have been taking up so much of my time (besides writing a new book, lol) https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Complicated-short-guide-simple/dp/1720817855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534446382&sr=8-1&keywords=happiness+is+complicated
I love painting and have not done so in about 10 years! Too much time out of the game.
Koi are my favorite subject and I decided to do a study on koi and light interactions. I prefer not to paint with a brush (palette knives, fingers, and sponges are my go to). I’ve been painting since the age of 9 and have just migrated away from them although I use them for broader applications such as background and underpainting.
On my latest piece, I decided to use dowels exclusively (think chop sticks of varying diameters) and have found that I love this technique. I am also sticking to acrylics and so far have been painting on canvas although I hope to do some on masonite.
All pieces will be displayed at my shop in Hawi.
I hope that you enjoy what you see!
Aloha,
Roland
“The blackest, blackest, blue”
Acrylic on canvas, 60″x24″
“Koi division”
Acrylic on canvas, 40″x30″
“3 seasons”
Acrylic on canvas, 24″x12″
“Broken light”
Acrylic on canvas, 24″x12″
“Chaos/order”
Acrylic on canvas, 45″x28″ painted with wooden dowels only
Here is a link to a project that I have been working on called, Tattoo Nomad. It was originally supposed to be a sizzle reel to stir up interest in the idea but became a full episode and so I have made it the pilot.
The format will evolve; I am working on episode one at the moment (Belgium) and can say that it is more polished. That being said, I’m happy with how this turned out and for all the support that I had making it.
In the pilot I talk about my history and the history of Polynesian tattoo in regards to Hawaii. In the tattoo portion, the importance of remembering our ancestors and respecting the past is the topic.
I plan on making more of these as time and funds permit so stay tuned.
Aloha!
Aloha everyone! A while back I posted about an upcoming project in the works and am pleased to report that it is finally finished!
Last fall, our beloved pup, Kiko had to be put down due to genetic complications in her intestinal tract. We are still grieving from it, and this was quite literally the most difficult circumstance that I have had to accept in my short time on this earth.
Kiko brought so much love, happiness and light into our world that her absence had, and has, a profound affect on our lives moving forward.
Anna and I decided that to pay homage to her wonderful spirit and as a way for us to work through this grief, we would create a coloring book in her honor, so that we could share her with the world.
This is unlike any other coloring book out there in that it is comprised of highly detailed, tattoo flash quality artwork. If you wanted you could scan any of these pages and get a tattoo from the art inside, lol.
The story is quirky and fun and completely captures Kiko’s personality. It is essentially about her quest to find a sunshine patch that she could lay in and warm her belly. This was totally part of her real life MO.
I drew a majority of the art; all the creatures that she encounters, in Japanese-style, complete with wind and water bars. Anna drew Kiko (drawing is not her strongest talent, although I love the way she draws, she would argue otherwise) and captured our dog’s innocence and playfulness, perfectly.
It is for sale now on my site: http://www.rolandpacheco.com and on Amazon.com.
It is only $12 and a quarter of the sales from this book will be donated to the Big Island Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to the relocation of adoptable dogs and cats, from Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland. http://www.bigislanddogrescue.org.
This is an adult/all-ages coloring book and it is 50 pages total with 20 of those pages being color-able artwork, so it will provide hours of entertainment.
Please check out my site for some images from the book or to place an order.
Thank you for your time and thank you for looking.
Peace!
Aloha!
I did this piece over the course of two days last week and had a blast! The client was a gentleman from Hilo who was looking for something to speak of his time in the military, his ties to his ancestors and also to show familial ties. It was also important that the tattoo incorporate protection as well as warrior motifs.
He came to me already having researched his family name and discovered that he had an ancestor that was a kumu lua (teacher in the art of Hawaiian hand to hand combat) who had taught skills to ali’i on Kauai during the time of Kamehameha I. He was also a pilot in the Vietnam war and also flew search and rescue with the fire department here in West Hawaii and also created the protocols for the now defunct marijuana eradication program, Green Harvest.
He wanted to tell his story of a warrior, of being descended from warriors and also to pay homage to his family. This piece was an awesome undertaking as I tried to combine all of these elements to create a cohesive piece. I had a blast working with the client and enjoyed immensely they time we spent over the two days that it took to complete.
Here is the breakdown of the symbols used:
a) maka [eye], this paka contains an eye; one looking forward, the other looking backward to protect from harm in either direction.
b) koru [unfurling fern head], symbolizing growth, life, breath, this gives intention to the piece behind it ‘c’.
c) na niho [teeth], there are 3 large niho, followed by 3 sets of 3 niho, the larger represent his 3 daughters and each set of 3 represent their respective children.
d) unahi [fish scales] love of the sea and for swiftness.
e) manu [bird] this theme is repeated throughout the piece and is a reference to his time as an airplane/helicopter pilot.
f) pepehipu [hammered tapa cloth] this is an armor analog for protection, it is inset with a row of niho at the end that is meant to protect the tattoo from harm.
g) ama kopeka/ahi [fire] this keeps bad spirits away and also acts to illuminate the path of the symbol behind it ‘i’.
h) pili niho [joined teeth] two joined teeth representing the union of him and his wife.
i) manu [bird] this theme is repeated throughout the piece and is a reference to his time as an airplane/helicopter pilot.
j) lei niho [garland of teeth] there are 2 rows, top and bottom, of teeth, each representing a year of marriage, 50 total, plus one to symbolize many more to come.
k) manu [bird] this theme is repeated throughout the piece and is a reference to his time as an airplane/helicopter pilot.
l) hoka [rays of the sun, rafter motif] this sort of symbol was one of many found carved or painted upon the rafter of a home or dwelling, it represents courage.
m) malu [protection] overlapping diamond shapes are meant to protect as armor.
n) lei-o-mano [string of shark teeth] this club-like weapon was used in hand to hand combat and in this instance is used to indicate his ancestral ties with a kumu lua that taught fighting techniques to ali’i on Kauai during the era of Kamehameha I.
o) ikeike [cyclophyllum barbatum] this hearty flowering shrub of the coffee family was known for its resistance, fortitude and toughness, its wood was also used to make weapons and tools.
p) a’aka hala/lauhala [Pandanus weave] this symbolizes the woven fronds of the hala tree and symbolizes family unity and armor.
q) la’au [club] this symbol represents a club used for combat and is a reference to part of his family name and ancestral past as kumu lua.
r) maka [eye], this paka contains an eye; one looking forward, the other looking backward to protect from harm in either direction.
symbols s,t,u,v,w are considered as one image, and that is the Spirit of War (SoW), which is a direct analog to his ancestor that was a kumu lua. It forms a head in profile, of the SoW.
s) pahiko a tuivi [fish net] this symbol makes up the mouth of the SoW and is intended to catch sin or protect from sin.
t) niho mano [shark teeth] this represents the first of his ‘aumakua, the shark, and makes up the part of the head portion of SoW.
u) naheka kai [sea snake] this represents his second aumakua, the sea snake, the triangle and two dots represent the pattern on the snake’s skin.
v) hulu pu’eo [owl feathers] this is his third aumakua, the owl.
w) mata hoata [all seeing eye] this makes pup the face of the Sow, it also has an ama kopeka, or flame on the top of its head.
x) ani ata [sky, heavens] this represents his ancestors as well as heaven and the horizon.
y) a’aka hala/lauhala [Pandanus weave] this symbolizes the woven fronds of the hala tree and symbolizes family unity and armor.
Mahalo for your time!
Roland
Aloha!
Just wanted to post the progress shot of a full back piece in progress. This pic was taken on the second day of work, as I broke the piece into halves. The left side was done on day one; the right completed the next day. This piece will also incorporate taulima Samoan elements in the final lower stages, the upper portion maintaining Maori and Marquesan motifs. When it is completed (by July) I will post the breakdown.
Thanks for looking!
Aloha!
I have begun a video series on YouTube, speaking about Polynesian tattoo. This is the first video of the series. I think in total there will be 8 or so videos and I will try to produce one a month. I am asking those that wish to comment, to do so here on my blog to keep all the information in one place. Because I am a cheap bastard I cannot upload video to my blog, I can only provide a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at0-G5yV5nE
Thank you for your time and aloha,
Roland
Did this Ana’ole Polynesian style honu on the calf of a gentleman from Canada the other day. He wanted a piece that spoke of his marriage, his two sons, his love of the outdoors and nature, family, protection, new beginnings and love for the sea. The entire piece represents his love for the sea, which is why he chose the turtle in the first place. Super cool dude! Had a blast chatting it up with him and his wife. Hope to see them again soon.
Breakdown is as follows:
a) mata/maka= eyes. These two symbols represent his sons, individually. I placed them on either side of the turtle so that they are positions of observance, to watch out for him.
b) lei e ata te hae= wedding garland. This symbols represents he and his wife’s union, and is essentially a garland of individuals holding hands, connected together as the two families unite.
c) ani ata= sky/heaven/ancestors. This symbol reinforces the bottom symbol (b) and represents his ancestors looking down on him from the heavens essentially protecting and blessing his marriage.
d) kofati= crease/fold/plaiting. This diamond pattern represents a weave of fronds, such as pandanus or palm, and is an analog to nobility and the righteousness of the earth.
e) mata hoata= all seeing eyes. This protective symbol is used to watch out for impending danger and is a more elaborate version of the mata (a).
f) niho=teeth. This symbol of a closed mouth is meant to catch sin and protect as well as offer courage and strength. It is at the front of the turtle shell to protect the symbols the follow it.
g) ka’ake= upraised arms. These two symbols represent upraised arms that are meant to convey power, force, and generosity.
h) koru=unfurling fern head. This Maori symbol represents the unfurling fern shoot and is meant to convey life, breath, new beginnings and the earth.
i) lei niho= garland of teeth. This motif is the same as ‘f’ only set into a lei, or garland.
All of the symbols are done in Fibonacci sequence in both number and form.
Thanks for looking!
Aloha!
I am very proud to have been able to contribute to the launch of this phenomenal new product from Eikon Device. This is by far the most effective, cutting edge anti pathogen product out there. I only use products that I truly believe in and this is one of them. Not only is it exceptional at killing nasty pathogens but it also calms the skin and keeps redness and swelling to a minimum. I am able to tattoo longer with less irritation to the clients skin. Freshly finished tattoos look healed. No harsh chemicals and a neutral ph. Electrasyn is a game changer in the tattoo industry! Thank you for your time. Peace!
rolandpacheco
Living in Lava Land 