A lot of tattoos today are designed for the moment…
not for a lifetime.
Too much detail.
Too little thought.
No consideration for the body.
No flow.
No shape.
No placement.
Just cramming as much as possible into the smallest space or compromising longevity for a good photo and some social media clout.
But a tattoo isn’t something you wear for a year…
it’s something you live with for a lifetime.
Skin changes.
Bodies move.
Time softens everything.
If you don’t design for that,
you’re setting someone up to outgrow their own tattoo.
That’s why I approach things differently.
Enough detail to make it unique…
but simple enough to last the test of time. after 16 years you learn to do things a specific way for a reason.
Designed for the body.
Placed with intention.
Built to age properly.
So in 10, 20, 30 years…
it still looks like it belongs there.
Not something you regret.
Something that grows with you, and you can still identify when you’re old as fuck. 🖤
Tattoos I designed while my client waited.
Truth is, most of my tattoos are created this way.
Not from a finished design I’ve been sitting on for weeks.
Not from forcing a pre-planned image onto someone’s body.
But from sitting down with the client, having a real conversation, understanding who they are, what the piece means, where it’s going, and what it needs to feel like.
That’s always been one of the things that makes my process different.
I’ve never needed a perfect plan to create something meaningful.
I listen. I look at the body. I think about placement, flow, personality, symbolism, colour, weight, and feeling.
And then I create.
Some of the most special details happen that way.
I’ll choose a flower that feels right, and the client will suddenly say, “That was my grandmother’s favourite flower.”
Or they’ll say, “I would have never chosen that, but we had those in the garden when I was a kid.”
Those moments don’t happen by accident.
They come from paying attention.
From listening properly.
From trying to understand the person in front of me on a deeper level before I ever start drawing.
That’s why the work becomes personal.
That’s why it fits.
Designed on the day.
Built from trust.
Made for the person wearing it.
15 bird tattoos that passed the mum test.
Birds are one of those tattoo subjects that can go in so many different directions. They can be soft, bold, symbolic, strong, elegant, colourful, simple, detailed, and they work perfectly with flowers.
That’s why I love making them.
These are from all different stages of my career. Some fresh, some healed, some older. Looking back at them, I think the thing I’m most proud of is how much variety there is while still feeling like my work.
I’ve always felt really confident with bird tattoos because they suit the way I naturally design. Shape, movement, flow, colour, feathers, flowers, placement. It all gives me room to make something that feels strong and beautiful without forcing it.
I don’t get asked to do enough of these anymore, which is a shame because I genuinely think they’re one of the best things I do.
So if you’ve been thinking about getting a bird tattoo, especially with flowers, send me your idea, placement, and any references you like.
Always mum approved.
Clean experimental monogram calligraphy for @timtavaria ⚜️ - Tattoo Artist and Nature Lover based in Melbourne Compendium. 🇦🇺
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His work lives in that space where nature becomes mythology — bold animals, soft botanicals, and colors that breathe.
Every piece feels alive: birds in motion, big cats with soul in their eyes, flowers wrapping around limbs like they grew there.
If you love tattoos that feel wild, vibrant, and deeply connected to the natural world… this is that energy. 🐅🪷✨
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What I love about this experimental calligraphy work is the simplicity and at the same time with that distinctive flow. Nothing fancy details but you can see the gracefulness of the strokes that perfectly fits the style of Tim Tavaria.
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Disclaimer: Clips are shortened for reels. The full process takes longer, with some conversations omitted. For presentation and entertainment purposes only.
Final day of ink expo was really lovely with my clients Nik we got to chat all day and have a laugh and create this little beauty together. It was a good reminder of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come because she has gotten a lot of tattoos from me in the past and watch me grow over the years. She also put a lot of perspective back into my life as we chatted. It was really nice so thanks Nik for a great day. I hope you love the hand tattoo. see you again soon.
GET A XENOMORPH TATTOO. 👽
Or go even further — choose something dark, cinematic and completely different from the usual ideas.
If you’re ready to lock in something bold, DM me now with your concept. I’m offering a discount for the best alternative designs. 🔥
16 years ago, I was stuck in a call centre, no direction.
I took a leap, found myself across the world, and built a life I couldn’t have imagined.
From depression to creativity, from doubt to trust.
Three lessons I carry: 1. Trust the process. 2. Connect with your environment. 3. Honour the person in front of you.
If you’re in a place where you don’t know what’s next, keep going. Trust that growth is on the other side.
