Endeavor to Persevere

Pick With Austin commissions artist Yulia Prokopeva to create a Luna Guitar tribute

THE CONCEPT
Florida artist, Yulia Prokopeva (Aerial Fine Art), was recently commissioned by Pick With Austin to create a special tribute in memory of Alan and as a tool for helping bring attention to our mission of bringing create more public awareness of the dangers of youth depression and suicide. The guitar, a Luna Woodland Series Quilted Ash, is a beautiful acoustic-electric made by Luna Guitars (a division of Armadillo Enterprises in Florida).

"The concept for the image on this guitar came as a vision one night through a dream. Based roughly on the Clint Eastwood feature film, THE OUTLAW JOSIE WALES, it depicts Alan sharing a peace pipe with the Native American Indian's. The dog depicted in the scene beside Alan is his actual pet, a Siberian Husky named Vladimir."

The saddle on this guitar has been replaced with ebony wood, the bridge pins are buffalo horn with gold and abalone inlay, and it is currently strung with Gibson Masterbuilt Premium 13's.

"The inscription on this guitar, 'Endeavor to Persevere,' is intended to provide a message to young people who may be faced with feelings of depression or dispair. This encouragement to endeavor to persevere is intended to help youth to fight the battle and to not give up at any cost." 

THE ARTIST
Graduating at age eighteen in Kyrgyzstan from Kyrgyz National College of Art with a Master's Degree in Fine Arts, Yulia works now from her studio in Florida doing custom art for motorcycles, helmets, bikes, helicopters, airplanes, cars, guitars, and on canvas. Her collaboration with Pick With Austin is more than just that of a commissioned artist; she seems to have absolutely captured Alan in both image and spirit.

THE GUITAR
Luna Guitars is under the corporate umbrella of Armadillo Enterprises, which also covers such great companies in the music industry as Dean Guitars and ddrum. Luna is the brainchild of Yvonne de Villiers, an artist and the daughter of Hilda Williers, an electric bass player for more than 40 years. Yvonne's designs incorporate a stylish guitar with unique neck profiles, laser etchings, digital imaging, and beautiful inlays. Luna is a guitar with an artistic attitude.

Watch for additional guitars in this series from Pick With Austin.