Tattoo Design for Andrew
Eye and Astronaut
POSITION: Left arm
DESCRIPTION: Andrew had been entertaining the thought of getting tattooed for quite some time but was looking for the right artist. His wife had been familiar with my work for several years. When he finally felt ready to explore the idea more seriously, he reached out to me about getting his very first tattoo. He always knew one thing: if he ever did get a tattoo, it wouldn’t be a small or simple piece. He wanted to go all in and get something bold and large, like a full sleeve. He also truly wanted it to stand out as a piece of art. I took the trust he placed in me to bring this vision to life very seriously.
From the beginning, Andrew gave me a great deal of freedom in the design process. He shared some references, mostly of other pieces I had created that spoke to him, and he offered some insights into his life: his background and upbringing, the things he’s experienced throughout his life, and what matters most to him. He was drawn to the human eyes I often include in my designs, and to an astronaut-themed tattoo I’d done in Los Angeles. But beyond that, he completely placed his trust in my creative direction, which is always a gift I deeply appreciate.
This piece starts on the forearm and flows up onto the biceps, with room to grow. From the start, Andrew mentioned he might want to eventually turn it into a full sleeve, so I kept that in mind while designing it. Altogether, this section of the project took three full-day sessions to complete.
Given Andrew’s story—his love for travel, and his fun but also very challenging move from Siberia to the U.S.—the theme that emerged naturally was exploration. We centered the front of the arm around a human eye, serving as the focal point to draw the viewer’s attention. Above it, we added a geometric star (reminiscent of the North Star) as a symbol of guidance, knowing one’s goals, and staying true to one’s personal direction in life. The composition wraps around his arm, incorporating stars, planets, and an astronaut. These space elements, of course, hold deep symbolism: venturing into the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and the mix of resilience, curiosity, and ingenuity required to navigate such a complex adventure: all fitting metaphors for his immigration and overall life story.
From our very first meeting, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend. There was effortless banter and meaningful conversations right away. Andrew is also passionate about electronic music and DJing in his spare time, so for his second session, he surprised me by bringing a full DJ setup with him. With one hand (since the other was being tattooed), he curated a live mix for us to enjoy throughout the day. It turned into an unexpected jam session that made the whole experience even more fun and memorable.
To top it all off, he had found out about my love of chocolate on Instagram and brought along German marzipan chocolates to “bribe” me. It definitely made me feel extra motivated for his project ;)
For Inquiries, please feel free to reach out via contact@danielmeyertattoo.com
I look forward to work with you on your next story.
