Tattoo Designs for Kelly
Family Tattoo
POSITION: Back
DESCRIPTION: Kelly first came to see me in Los Angeles in 2019 with an idea for a back tattoo. Her last name, Szteinbaum, translates to “stone tree”, which became the inspiration for the design: a tree growing on top of a rock. At its center, we placed an eye as a focal point, giving the piece a sense of depth and presence.
Two years later, Kelly returned to expand on that original tattoo. This time, the piece was in honor and memory of her brother, who had passed away unexpectedly. She wanted the new work to connect with the existing “stone tree” design, since it was rooted in family. She wanted it to carry her brother’s memory, his stories, and the light he brought into the world.
She told me about his personality and passions: his talent as a magician and pianist, and the husky dog he loved. From that, I built the design: a magic wand woven into the piece, a howling dog that resembled his husky, and a circle around the dog with an audio wave of “Piano Man,” a song he often played. All of it connects with the stone tree tattoo, tying everything together into one cohesive tribute to her brother and family.
Hamsa Hand
POSITION: Right forearm
DESCRIPTION: The third tattoo happened while I was living in Hawai‘i—an inner forearm piece themed around trust, surrender, and the unseen path ahead. The idea was “going with the flow”, and that life unfolds in ways we can't always predict, but that there’s purpose and protection in the journey and everything happens for a reason.
Kelly also wanted to include a Hamsa hand as a symbol of spiritual protection, and as a nod to her Jewish heritage. I gave the Hamsa hand my own stylistic interpretation: one side realistic, the other abstract. I like split compositions and the visual contrast they create. The darker patterns on one side of the hand beautifully emphasize the eye in the center. It’s a powerful focal point and “eye catcher”, literally. The prominent placement of the hamsa reflects its importance as a strong sign of protection, spirituality, and trust in life.
I incorporated floral elements to accentuate the feminine quality of the piece, as well as a water wave to echo the theme of going with the flow. There’s also a staircase with a silhouette of a figure symbolizing trust in one’s path, even when the destination is unclear. The use of negative space keeps the design light and flowing, soft yet strong.
Life and Friendship
POSITION: Right upper arm
DESCRIPTION: For her fourth tattoo, Kelly traveled from San Diego to visit me in Sedona.
This time was a little different. For her previous pieces, she had fairly specific ideas. But now, she wanted to give me more creative freedom and to “let me do my thing”. The concepts were centered around gratitude and appreciation for the present moment.
We decided to extend the water splash from her forearm up into the upper arm and shoulder, creating continuity while also reinforcing the theme of going with the flow. The swirling lines create a lot of movement, and since Kelly loves to dance, they felt like a natural expression of her spirit. It is also symbolic of life itself, since life is movement. Overall, the tattoo has a joyful, light, playful energy that expresses a love for life.
We also included flowers to echo the floral elements from the forearm piece, and to represent health and vitality. Four birds fly through the design, symbolizing Kelly and her three soul sisters—best friends since middle school—who call themselves the F4. Bold contrasting geometric elements balance out the upper arm piece with the forearm tattoo. The composition flows beautifully with the shape of her arm and shoulder.
I always enjoy working with Kelly and her light-filled, joyous spirit and positive outlook on life. Over the last six years, she’s become a true friend. Our sessions are filled with banter, laughter, and thoughtful conversation. I’ve come to deeply respect her and her family, especially after hearing so many stories and having the chance to meet her parents during one of our sessions. It’s these kinds of connections that make what I do truly special to me.
For Inquiries, please feel free to reach out via email: contact@danielmeyertattoo.com
I look forward to working with you on your next story.
