Dragon Harp

A couple of years ago, my wife decided to take up playing the celtic harp. After she had taken a good number of lessons and had tried out a few rental harps from her instructor, we decided it was time for her to have a harp of her own. A bit of research turned up someone who made harps to order at a reasonable price that lived near us. The only downside was that he really hated to sand and finish them! Still, no problem, because that's something I enjoy doing anyways. So, after picking out woods (Purpleheart and Ash) and waiting about 3 months, we finally got the call that the harp was done! Well, almost.

What we actually got was an assembled, but unsanded, unfinished and unstrung harp body. Now the fun began. I started sanding and rounding and bevelling surfaces and corners, and as the project progressed, I started thinking about it more. I decided that there was no reason that it should be just another "plain-jane" sort of harp when I had an opportunity to do something more with it!

I spent a while just looking at it and walking around it, and eventually an idea began to take shape. I began to see a dragon wrapping itself around the harp, a mythical and magical creature of the air! Some research found me examples that I was able to use for reference, and then the fun began! I spent the next month or so carving the form of the body into the bow and carefully working the finish into the wood. Then I gilded the wings, and set to work inlaying the semi-precious stones that the dragon guarded jealously!

Some successful bids on eBay brought me the faceted gem-grade spessarite garnets that were inset as her eyes, and an assortment of other stones; carnelian and andean opal, labradorite, amethyst, tiger-eye, malachite and others.

Finally came the job setting the tuning pegs and stringing it up! That took nearly a whole day by itself, but when it was done, she at last had her voice! It was deep, full and resonant, and has only improved over time as the soundboard and strings have settled into place.


(click images for closer view)

Right profile view


Dragon eye detail


Wing detail


Tail detail


Left profile view

all images ©2007 J. Nichols

MyArtSpace Scholarships and Contest!

www.myartspace.com has created a scholarship program for students of artistic merit wishing to continue their education in an approved MFA, BFA or other higher level degree program (BA or BS in Art) for the arts. The scholarship is intended for students who exhibit exceptional artistic excellence. All mediums are accepted. Including, photography and video, both contemporary and traditional in nature. The scholarship arises from the commitment to supporting artists who are committed to their skill and development as an artist.

For two years myartspace has been a key figure in availing opportunity in the arts on the web and in global events. Myartspace is providing three scholarship prizes for undergraduate students and separately three scholarship prizes for graduate students. Creating an account on myartspace is free. Entering the scholarship competition is free.
The deadline for registration and online submission of work is November 21, 2008. You must upload your JPEGS/videos into a myartspace online gallery. Up to 20 images can be submitted for consideration. Scholarship winners will be announced on December 19, 2008.


First Prize:
$5000 for undergraduate student
$5000 for graduate student

Second Prize:
$2000 for undegraduate student
$2000 for graduate student

Third Prize:
$1000 for undergraduate student
$1000 for graduate student

For more information: www.myartspace.com/scholarships

www.myartspace.com has also launched a joint competition with the Bridge Art Fair. Finalists in the Art Basel Miami competition will display their art at the Bridge Art Fair art Art Basel in Miami this December. The Jury panel for the competition includes Elisabeth Sussman from the Whitney Museum, Janet Bishop from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), JoAnne Northrup from the San Jose Museum of Art, and Michael Workman the founder of the Bridge Art Fair.

For more information visit-- www.myartspace.com/miamibasel/