Wow! Those are some great ideas and suggestions. Thanks to all for them.
I should probably take a minute to remind everyone of the ultimate purpose and goal of this guitar's creation. With the trip being sponsored and organized by Christian organizations to build an orphanage founded, run and maintained by a large Christian organization and church in the Nairobi area, the inlay content having the theme that it does is completely appropriate since the hands represented are those of God and Adam.
Also, this guitar wasn't designed and isn't being adorned to project or communicate the purpose of the trip, the location of the work being done, or the people involved in the work whether receiving or giving. It's sole purpose for even being conceived is to be offer at auction to yield the highest possible price so that the largest possible gift will be able to be given to those living in the orphanage to support them. This is about as far from a white and black or rich and poor thing as it can be since our primary goal is to just get out of the way to allow powers far greater than any we can boast or muster go to work to do miraculous things beteen two very diverse peoples from opposite sides of the planet.
An African motif would certainly be well recieved and understood by those in Nairobi, but the guitar isn't what's being offered to them. Instead, the music that I will use to inspire and encourage them while I'm there is the first face of the gift's value and the gift of the funds raised at auction as it is sold is the second. Believe me, these will prove far more valuable to and appreciated by all who will benefit from them.
This guitar was designed and built using woods that wood represent several species indigenous to Africa, but it's still important that it be as appealing to as broad a base of potential buyers as possible after it leaves Africa.
The inlay is, by no means, "recycled", but was an interpretation that I derived from the Michelangelo work to offer on a series of 25 guitars. All of the guitars in that series with the exception of the few numbers that I'd reserved and the additon of ten that went to Japan in the initial order that inspired the idea of the series have sold and for premium prices.
After someone suggested its inclusion in this project and expressed their interest in possibly owning it as the result of the auction, I condidered it fr the first time and decided to surrender one of the reserved numbers to be used on it.
There are plenty of African scenes for those in Africa to see every day and I don't nee to bring another in a 2inch by ten inch piece of artwork split by fret lines and string courses for them to see. The visual appeal of the guitar needs to be realized and maximized upon my return from Africa more than during my visit to Africa. The kids at the orphanage don;t care about the guitar nearly as much as they do the music that is created on one.
I'm not committed to any idea yet, but probably should have let everyone know that this guitar has to be completed and ready to play in five days or so. I have several other sketches and drawings that I've been throwing around for the past wek or two.
Thanks again and i hope this helps to clarify my situation,
Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars
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