Here’s another glimpse into my process of creation. After my successes with the Grand Piano and Red Violin II, I was searching for the next project. I was at a friend’s house and saw her guitar sitting on a shelf. Perfect! The guitar was the first instrument I learned to play.

Before starting to construct my version of the instrument, I spent several days researching guitars to see how they are made. For this piece, I wanted the instrument to actually be playable with real strings. So, I needed to engineer the piece to be strong enough to support the taut strings.
Like my other sculptured instruments, I used foam core as the structure. Using my friend’s guitar as a model, I created two separate pieces for the front and the back of the body of the guitar. The front slides over the back like a snug fitting box lid.
This is what the inside of the back half looks like. The entire inside is lined with music fabric. I had to add some wood to give it more strength and stability.
(Yes, these are real guitar tuning pegs purchased from Elderly Instruments.)
After covering with fabric, I attached the head and neck section into the body of the guitar. I added a bit more wood for support where the neck will attach.
This is a view of the back of the head so you can see the tuning pegs and how they attach.
Here's the front covered with the patchwork fabric for which the guitar is named.
Next I created the head and the neck. It can’t bend, so I duct taped a flat metal bar along the entire neck, bending it where it meets the head. I glued some wood pieces on the head to give some support where the tuning pegs are attached.
This is the back of the neck covered with fabric.
At this stage, the neck has been attached.
In this side view of the head, you can see the bend where the head and the neck join.
Once all the fabric is glued on, the fret board, the tuning pegs, the nut, and the bridge were added.

Lastly, I attached the strings and I have made a guitar!

Now, for the most important question: does it play? Well, yes, but I don’t think you’ll want it for your next concert.
(Note: This piece was on display at the Art-A-Fair Festival in Laguna Beach, California. Over the summer, many musicians perform for the patrons of this art show. I have allowed a privileged few to play my guitar and professional hands have actually been able to elicit sounds that could be construed as music. Unfortunately, the joint where the neck meets the body can bend inward giving the guitar a "wa-wa" sound. Although, I suppose that could be considered a feature.)
Here's a short video about the guitar's creation:

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