The creative brief for this project was for a tattoo of an animal, rendered in ink using lines and stippling. I chose the radiated tortoise as my subject, a long-lived species that has a remarkable variety of geometric patterns on its back. In addition, there is a generous sprinkling of baobab trees, and lovely comet orchids (Angraecum sesquipedale) throughout. Recalling the notion of Turtle Island of North American indigenous folklore, this creature seems to float peacefully in space, carrying all of creation on its back.
Via Wikipedia:
The radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is a tortoise species in the family Testudinidae. Although this species is native to and most abundant in southern Madagascar, it can also be found in the rest of this island, and has been introduced to the islands of Réunion and Mauritius. It is a very long-lived species, with recorded lifespans of up to 188 years. These tortoises are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, mainly because of the destruction of their habitat and because of poaching.