Tag: guitar

The Peacock Guitar

Posted on by McSherryRetrospective

 Joe and Steve Wall (The Walls and formerly of The Stunning) dropped in to see my exhibition in la Galerie Impromptu, Harold’s Cross and to play the Peacock Guitar.

 I received the unadorned guitar about eight months ago from Chris Maher of The Musical Youth Foundation and although I began work on it almost immediately, I ran into a couple of difficulties, mostly at the finishing end (there’s nothing clear about lacquer!) However, I eventually made it through.

 I made a short video recording the process by which I decorated it -and then the lads give it a blast of, ‘Are you Lonesome Tonight’ at the end.

For anybody who likes to paint; I used Golden Artist Colours ‘Fluid’ paint to keep the strokes flat but still intense. In the Golden range are also some iridescent paints which were ideal for some of the bright plumage. The edges and other gold areas are gilded.

 You can still see this artwork at la Galerie Impromptu until Sunday June 26, when the gallery closes and reverts to a disused laundry. The proceeds from the sale of this guitar will go to the Musical Youth Foundation who provide access to an education in music for ALL children in Ireland.

Update on Musical Youth Foundation Guitar Project

Posted on by McSherryRetrospective

After a couple of weeks away doing other work, I’ve started back on this charity project. As you can see, I’m taking my sweet time. It’s because I’m selfishly enjoying it so much -and nobody has given me a deadline!

But that’s the joy of this. I’m almost done with the front of the guitar; I’ve the back still to do. Then there’s all the lacquering…

Please visit the Musical Youth Foundation’s web site and support them. I think it’s a worthy cause because music, however badly I play it, is important in my life and I know how it gives children a sense of achievement once they own it.

When this guitar is finished, it will be sold to raise money for them. And it will be a playable instrument into the bargain!

Guitar Project #2: Working out the Chords

Posted on by McSherryRetrospective

The best place to start with a project like this is the café. Rathmines, inevitably; in the calming surrounds of Café Moda. Of course I forgot my sketchbook, so I had to run in to the Swan Centre to find a cheap one -and a pen.

This is more or less how I approach any applied art project. I used to just write lists of words which may or may not lead me to an idea. In recent years, I find this a better way of generating at least something. In the end, I went for a bird theme with a peacock, as you can hopefully see in the third picture. I’m in an avian groove! I should start tweeting a bit more…

I used a posca marker for that white line. I felt I needed to see how it will work at full size on the instrument itself. As you can see, it’s now completely covered with a spay-coat. This will just serve as a toned ground on which to work.


Oh and by the way, I’ve just invested in a new airbrush! Yup. I had one many years ago when I used to paint murals on scooters. I just can’t remember what happened to it. I most likely left it behind when I upped sticks and left London in 1988. Strangely enough, I brought the compressor with me, which I still have. Bananas. I’m going to use the airbrush for the general shapes in order to keep the job as flat as possible. The detailing will have to be done with a brush -but I’ll be using Golden liquid acrylics which will stay pretty flush.

When that arrives sometime next week, I can get down to the real work.

Do comment, if this project interests you; I’d love to hear your thoughts.

No Strings Attached; a Guitar Project #1

Posted on by McSherryRetrospective
I’ve just received this guitar from Chris at the Musical Youth Foundation. It’s an all-working instrument: Not expensive but plays just fine and it’s in tune with itself, which is not always the case. I’ve added myself to the list of artists who will take on these projects to raise money for this cause. Here’s a bit about them from their web site:

The Musical Youth Foundation charity was established in 2009 as part of the Dublin City Soul Festival project and is the brainchild of festival founder and CEO Chris Maher. At the heart of the project is a deep desire to have a long-term positive impact on the local and wider community by providing children on the Island of Ireland with access to a musical education.

Chris Maher (Ambassador of Soul Music and an Honorary Tennessean!) is enthusiastic and passionate about using music as a way to empower all children on this island (that so often have precious little encouragement or opportunity in their lives). Music, like any other art, is a place where you can have some control and sense of ownership in life. Once you own the ability to create with your mind and your hands, you own everything.
Suddenly, I feel like a kid again because of this project -I know it’s going to take a great deal of work: Weeks – possibly months of activity, including learning how to approach the project in the first place (ie., which paints to use and how to varnish at the end, preparing the instrument itself for painting, sketching and developing the artistic direction. But I’m all enthused -some of Chris’s energy has rubbed off on me!
I want the instrument to remain as playable as possible, although I realise that there will be a dampening effect on the sound by the paint. I don’t want this to end up purely as a piece of art that hangs on a wall; I want it such that a player can take it down and use it in anger, so to speak. That’s a real challenge.

I already sounded it out and I’m going to take down the action to improve the playability. I’m so looking forward to this…and I’ll keep you posted on it as it develops. The strings are off right now, as are the machine heads, pegs and strap fixing. I’ve started a bit of light sanding to see what kind of paint I’m dealing with. I’ve already had a good chat with Peter Donnelly, who already has completed his Batik Guitar), about how he managed his one. You can see the results of his work, along with those of another couple of other Illustrators Guild of Ireland members Brian Gallagher and Rachel Corcoran here on MYF’s Etsy shop. Obviously, you can buy these artworks/instruments directly from there -and support this noble charity.

Right -where’s my sander.