Tattoo Design for Will
Bear Tattoo Ursa Major
POSITION: Right upper Arm
DESCRIPTION: Will got his first tattoo from me in 2023, while I was working in Hawai‘i. He wanted a piece for his upper arm and shoulder that reflected the intersection of medicine and technology, while also weaving in elements of his personal story and upbringing.
The elements he requested were full of personal meaning for him. The star constellation Ursa Major was one of them. Will spent many summers of his childhood in rural Montana, and this constellation is a prominent feature of the night sky during summer in the Pacific Northwest. It reminded him of happy nights spent under the stars there.
He also referenced The Great Wave, a piece of art that has long resonated with him. Will was born on the coast and still has a strong connection with the ocean. It’s a place of comfort and rejuvenation for him, where he feels centered. The wave, or water in general, is a visual metaphor for his affinity for the ocean.
The final element he wanted to incorporate was a eucalyptus tree, with a nod to neurons: a symbolic fusion of two things that hold special meaning for him. Will studied neuroscience in college, and his fascination with the human mind eventually led him to medical school. In neuroscience, neurons are often compared to trees — the dendrites reach out like branches, the cell body stands as the trunk, and the axon extends like roots. Will grew up in a town in California that is known for its eucalyptus trees, and some of his earliest memories are of climbing and playing beneath them.
With all this in mind, I designed a piece that draws these threads together into a cohesive, flowing story.
At the center of the composition is Ursa Major, but depicted as an actual bear. I chose the bear not only for its visual strength (its balance of dark and light values works great in a tattoo) but also because it adds another layer of symbolism. Beyond referencing the constellation, the bear is also a strong emblem of the Pacific Northwest and all the wild, grounded strength associated with that region.
Above the bear, framed within an inverted triangle, is a eucalyptus tree — a symbolic link between Will's childhood and his professional, scientific path.
At the top of the design, we included Ursa Major once more, this time as the actual star constellation.
The motive of the Great Wave is present in the form of a large water splash that flows through the entire piece, connecting and enveloping each element like a golden thread. Since the ocean plays such an important role for Will and is a centering element in his life, as he puts it, it felt right for the water to embrace everything else and pull the whole composition together.
The vertical composition flows perfectly with the contours of the upper arm, bicep, and shoulder. There’s a careful balance between boldness and delicacy, between light and dark areas.
Snake Tattoo
POSITION: Right Pectorial
DESCRIPTION: Will returned in 2025 (now here in Arizona), wanting to continue the work we began on his right arm, expanding the design onto his shoulder and chest. He wanted to continue the themes of water and nature, and this time, he also expressed an interest in weaving in elements of Greek mythology. Not the well-known heroes like Hercules or Zeus, lesser-known figures such as Achelous, the river god known for his ability to shapeshift into creatures like a serpent or bull. Another figure that resonated with Will, given his profession in medicine, was Asclepius, the Greek demigod of healing.
I chose to include the Greek themes in a more symbolic way and center this new part of the design around a snake as a multi-layered symbol. The serpent connects both of the mythological references Will mentioned: Achelous, in his serpent form, and Asclepius, whose staff is famously entwined by a single snake, representing medicine and healing. So in this one form, the design bridges mythology and Will’s background in healthcare.
Beyond the symbolic meaning, the snake’s shape was perfect for creating the transition across the upper pec and shoulder, allowing the design to move organically with the body’s natural flow — something Will had specifically asked for.
To create continuity with the existing tattoo on his upper arm, I continued the water splash, which intertwines with the snake. This not only visually connects the new and previous work, but also brings in another layer of symbolism: Achelous is a god of rivers, and water remains a central theme in Will’s overall piece.
On the chest, I added circular geometric elements to frame and emphasize the curve of the pectoral muscle. Additional geometric shapes flow across the top of the shoulder, serving as a connecting element and following the flow of the anatomy.
For Inquiries, please feel free to reach out via email: contact@danielmeyertattoo.com
I look forward to working with you on your next story.
