Mandala, Dotwork, Ornamental & Geometric Tattoos
When I first began tattooing, my focus was firmly set on the Japanese style. Those were the images that resonated with me — bold, striking, and instantly recognizable from afar. The powerful flow of Japanese imagery complements the human form like no other. Similar to most tattoo artists starting out, I experimented with nearly every style that came my way. In those early years, everything was practice. Every tattoo was an opportunity to learn.
Discovering Dotwork and Sacred Geometry
Eventually, I discovered the intricate beauty of dotwork tattoos and sacred geometry. Artists like Thomas Hooper and Dan Dimattia became huge influences on my development. Their mastery of dotwork and geometric tattoo design opened my eyes to a completely different world of pattern, texture, and symbolism.
A close friend, who shared my appreciation for ornamental and mandala-inspired imagery, gave me the opportunity to try this “dotwork” approach for the first time. At that point, very few artists were exploring it — and I had no idea how to begin. There was no other place to start other than one dot at a time.
Evolving a Personal Tattoo Style
Over the years, I’ve realized there’s no single “correct” way to create art. Some of my patterns rely heavily on linework; others are built entirely from gradients of dots. My work often combines high-contrast blackwork shading with subtle transitions in lighter grey tones. From standalone mandala tattoos to full sleeves and back pieces composed of layered geometric patterns, I’ve gradually developed something that feels recognizably my own.
As tattoo artists, we’re all walking familiar paths — but if we’re lucky, we carve out a small niche within them. My goal has always been to create tattoos that are uniquely mine while still rooted in traditional and ornamental tattoo foundations.
Balancing Japanese and Geometric Tattoo Traditions
Today, my focus remains on both Japanese tattooing and geometric tattoo work. Sometimes it’s hard to label the overall style — is it geometric, ornamental, dotwork, mandala, blackwork, or sacred geometry? Each of these terms applies depending on the piece, and that variety is part of what keeps the craft exciting.
Tattooing on Vancouver Island — Paradigm Tattoo, Victoria BC
I continue striving to bring each client the best tattoo possible — from small mandala tattoos to large-scale geometric and blackwork designs. Every piece is a chance to explore balance, texture, and flow.
All of these tattoos are created by me, Cohen Foch, a Vancouver Island tattoo artist based at Paradigm Tattoo, my Victoria BC tattoo shop.
If you’re seeking an experienced artist specializing in dotwork, ornamental, mandala, blackwork, and sacred geometry tattoos on Vancouver Island, I’d love to collaborate on your next piece.