So like what you have achieved here Tony.
Especially like the way you've captured the different stories of his whakapapa with subtly different patterns on each side of face.
Kia Kaha!

Hi Borek, thanks very much for your comments.

Hi Tony, thanks. This was a bust I really enjoyed painting and its great to get such positive feedback.

Kia ora Mike, I certainly enjoy doing my research when working on a project like this, especially when the symbols used in the ta moko have deep personal, spiritual and cultural stories that reveal character and history about an individual and about the people he comes from. In this case the whakapapa of an ariki or tribal leader. I have another of these superb busts by Artworks DG and I'm toying with the idea of converting him into an All Black. The other option would be to convert him into a member of the Maori 28th Battalion from WW2. I'm happy to take a break from painting Maoris for the time being and move on to another project, but I have no doubt this wont be the last Maori I paint. Thanks again for your help and encouragement mate. Kia kaha.