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Hi guys. Well, after three weeks on this one full time all I can say is yes, engraving faces is hard (for me anyway), and that I hold Grit in a more high place than I ever held him before. Grit states that a full face and hair can take him ten hours or more. Well, this one took me about 20 or more of just drawing the lines, re-drawing the lines, re-drawing the lines, etc.. about 3-4 days for the face and hair doing nothing else but patterning and engraving, and of course I am not fully satisfied with it. But it's done so, respectfully submitted, here she is. I like the idea because it plays off one of my favorites, the clownfish group, and that it still holds the old-time mermaid story of sirens luring sailors to their death in focus. She is in an anemone as well, luring whatever may seek her out to it's stinging death, while being the muse of the guitar, making song as sirens are supposed to. Maybe this is too artsy fartsy but that's the way I am seeing things these days.

Sadly there isn't a piece of shell out there to make her body out of one piece, but the fret will balance things out when it's done.



Thanks as always for looking. I have allot of very big pieces coming up so we'll see if and when there will be time to post.
Craig L

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Incredible Craig!!!!  You captured a very life like look on her face that is pretty alluring IMHO too.

And a redhead to boot - Hesh is in love........

Holy doodle! The detail on the face is amazing, really impressive!

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thats what I call a true perc.

nice job Craig.

dang...

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Hubba Hubba!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Whats her phone #? 

Whats that dear?  Oh, just looking at guitar stuff online.....

Mr. Lavin - Very well done!

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Superb, Craig! That face is enchanting!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Ahhh baa baa baa ahhh?    

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Looks great, Craig. I am especially impressed with the hand.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

She has hands???

Beautiful work Craig!!

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Unbelievable!!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I was so worried about this one. There are plenty of areas that need help but thankfully she is getting a twin sister of another species. Not sure which fish type yet but I was hoping to make her a blond. I'll get to do another face. I need to do more humans! It's really a challenge for me and pretty cool to try to simulate reality. More sooner or later. I have a lot coming up. They are all just taking longer to get done as I try to push my limits a bit more. I had to slow down to move forward. Thanks again!
Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Hi Guys.
I was never happy with certain aspects of Tabitha and then after posting and looking at the images again I figured out what it was, at least for this fix. When I showed it to my wife she said "the mouth looks a little off" I agreed, but couldn't figure out quite what it was until now. I had resigned myself to leaving it as is, because you know, "playing with it can only mess it up"- wrong...

She's got really lipstick red lips, very dark, but artists work while drawing lips typically shade the top one, and leave the bottom light.
Here's the revelation and the difference in appearance. If there is lipstick on there is really little natural shade, so overall the entire mouth should look dark, and only the pout should have any light effect at all.

So I went back and added engraving to the bottom of the top lip, blending in the top and the bottom except for the pout. I was worried about keeping the two areas distinct, but that's not how it works.
Here she is again and notice how it makes a very large difference in her appearance. Look at the old face and the new one.
Thanks for all the help!
Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Dude.. This just rocks...

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

That is truly amazing and stunning work. You've managed to capture beauty in such a tasteful way. I love the imagery of the story surrounding the piece.

This is now my favorite piece that you have done that I have seen (the Madonna is still a close second).

I had to look quite a few times to see the difference in the lips. Had you not have pointed it out I doubt no one here would have noticed.

Here's the original


Here's the picture with the "fix"


You are indeed a very tough self critic.

P.S. Who is Grit?

Craig, I am always amazed at your work. My patience for doing intricate work like this is slim, and you have no idea how much I appreciate your talents because of that.

good job!!

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Reguards,

Ken H

...another awesome inlay and great execution. She's a beauty and i'm sure
she'll be a big hit with whoever ends up with her on their guitar.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

You can see her booby!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

You can see her booby!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Does she PLAY?....guitar?

Just make sure to cover your ears....

Thanks again everyone for all of your support. I have loved this place ever since Lance asked me to come over here years ago.

You all have seen my progressions, as I have seen all of yours. Regardless of the infighting and bickering that happens when any group of humans get together this place has been a family of sorts for me.

Thanks Lance and Brock. And everyone else.

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

very nice Craig!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

What a gal. Whoooeee. I am guilding the guitar for this fingerboard and I can tell right now I will have to sneak it into the house. Perfect expression and beautiful execution

Growing up in the Florida Keys I have really appreciated all your work, but have to agree that this one is my favorite.

Thanks for sharing it! Looking forward to the blonde...I mean your next item.

I'm sure the creative minds in here could help suggest a good match...if you're so inclined.

Joe