maple leaf - tattoo design

 Here’s a fun little project I recently wrapped up (and when I say "recently", I actually mean over a year ago): a tiny tattoo design featuring the beautiful Japanese maple leaf. Small in size, yes, but absolutely bursting with charm (and potential to make someone’s ankle or arm infinitely cooler). The concept was simple: design a minimalist Japanese maple leaf, but give it my signature twist. Because let’s be honest, I can’t draw anything without overthinking at least three style directions. So naturally, I made two versions.

The Deconstructed One

This one’s part of my ongoing Deconstructed Project, where I blend clean geometric cuts with more organic shapes—think nature meets origami. It has a crisp, modern vibe, perfect for those who love symmetry, angles and edges, with just a little sharpness in their ink.

The Grainy One

The second version is softer, textured, and grainy. I wanted to keep the silhouette of the maple simple, letting the shape speak for itself while adding a bit of tactile charm with the shading. I'm imagining it being quieter, zen, like the mindfulness of the tradition that it represents. 

They might look identical from afar, but the difference is in the tiny details. Actually, this would look great as symmetrical tattoos. I really enjoyed this project because it challenged me to say more with less. It’s easy to go wild with details (you know I love my details), but sometimes the real magic is in the restraint. Just like a Japanese maple tree—delicate, detailed, but never loud.