Bird tattoos in Knoxville

Birds work in almost any size, from a tiny hummingbird behind the ear to swallows spread across the chest. Julie’s birds run from fine line to bold, shaded eagles and a phoenix on the hand.

Swallows

The swallow is one of the oldest designs in tattooing. Sailors earned a swallow for every 5,000 nautical miles at sea, and because swallows were often the first birds they saw near land, the bird came to mean coming home. Swallows are often tattooed in pairs on the chest, which is where Julie has placed several.

Hummingbirds

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America, so it’s the one you see at feeders in Knoxville. Its wings beat about 53 times a second. A hummingbird looks best mid-hover, with the wings drawn as a soft blur and the beak reaching into a flower.

Eagles

Bald eagles are a short drive away: the American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, Tennessee, has released more than 400 bald eagles into the wild. An eagle with spread wings needs width, like the chest, upper back or outer forearm.

Phoenix

The phoenix is a mythical bird that dies in fire and rises again from the ashes, which is why people get one after recovery or a fresh start. The tail feathers and flames flow well around a hand, forearm or down the spine.

Tennessee’s state bird

Tennessee’s state bird is the mockingbird, which can copy the songs of many other birds and keeps learning new sounds for life. It’s an underused Tennessee tattoo. More ideas are on the Tennessee tattoos page.

Birds with flowers

A songbird on a branch or a hummingbird at a bloom is an easy way to make a floral tattoo feel alive. A cardinal with a bouquet is often a memorial piece.