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Your monthly e-zine from
Luna Guitars · June 2006 |
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In this issue
“ I think everybody has a right to happiness and freedom and
security and health care and education and guitar lessons. ...Bonnie
Raitt ”
Learn more about the ancient (and modern) art of henna at www.hennapages.com |
On
My Drawing Board
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Your Ticket to Paradise!
The Paradise C
and Paradise S are two amazingly
innovative, show-stopping guitars. Much of their unique appeal lies in their
“tattoos.” Henna is an ancient and traditionally female type of body art.
Used for ornamentation and rituals in many cultures, the intricate designs
are painted on the body using a paste made from the henna plant. Inspired by
the artistic process and the beautiful imagery of henna tattooing, Luna’s
artistic designer Yvonne de Villiers set out to marry the ancient tradition
with modern guitar technology. The result is pure paradise! “We wanted the henna patterns for these
instruments to be authentic,” says Yvonne, “so we commissioned Alex Morgan –
a renowned Henna and graphic artist from the UK – to work her magic on the
guitars’ fronts, backs and headstocks.” Once the custom pattern was created, Luna’s
craftsmen used the latest in laser technology to etch the intricate design
not just on the tops of the Paradise models, but also on the guitars’ backs
and on their matching headstocks, just as the artist had envisioned. To
complete the effect, explains Yvonne, “We decided on a satin finish and two
tones of wood (in solid spruce and cedar topped models) to further imply the
look and feel of skin.” Luna’s Henna models have folk style cutaway
bodies with build-in pre amps that offer the flexibility of acoustic or
electric play. The Paradise C guitar combines a solid cedar top with mahogany
sides and back, while the Paradise S teams a solid spruce top with quilted
maple sides and back. Both guitars are distinctively “tattooed” with Alex
Morgan’s elaborately detailed henna artwork – exclusively yours from Luna
Guitars. |
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Medieval Art of Spain Inspired
Alex Morgan’s Custom Henna Pattern
UK
graphic artist and henna design specialist Alex Morgan adapted the artwork of
Medieval Spain for use on Luna’s Paradise henna guitars. “One
of the main themes of the pattern,” says Alex, “is the Simurg, a mythical
bird from Persian literature. The Simurg possesses healing powers and its
symbolic meaning is the hidden self, our inner light. Its feathers –
such as those placed on the headstock of the guitar are given as a gift and
can be used to heal wounds.” The flying bird is pictured along with a serpent
on the front of the henna guitars. Both creatures are symbolic guardian figures,
and the serpent represents life force, nature, energy and potential.
Working with the theme of Paradise, Alex adorned the guitar’s back with
a tree motif, representing shelter for the birds and the other creatures that
are woven into the instrument’s overall design. |
How Did Luna Tattoo A Guitar?
Luna’s
Paradise Henna guitars are “tattooed” with sophisticated computer numerical
control (CNC) laser etching technology. CNC laser cutters and routers are
used to cut and shape precision products used in making a variety of things
–signs, logos, car parts, machinery pieces and other items. There’s even a
chef in Las Vegas who uses a CNC router to fashion dazzling ice sculptures
for upscale parties and special events.
The
Luna team scanned the original henna patterns created by artist Alex Morgan
into a computer that generated a series of numbers detailing where and how
the guitar’s wood should be cut to replicate the design. Following that
"tool path," a laser beam controlled by the computer engraves the
intricate pattern on each guitar front, back, and headstock before assembly.
Each piece is then sanded lightly before construction and finishing.
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To unsubscribe from the Luna e-zine, email Yvonne@lunaguitars.com |
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© 2006 Luna Guitars |
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