"MORMON ROCKWELL" - HANDCRAFTED GUITAR
The “Mormon Rockwell” brings original art and handcrafted guitar building together. Hand-built by Rask Guitars with a relic’d finish, this guitar features Ben Steele’s 2026 hand-painted interpretation of his 2019 painting, The Tabooist, rendered in oil on an alderwood body.
A rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl inlays complements Seymour Duncan Seth Lover bridge and ’59 neck humbuckers, a Gotoh 510UB adjustable wraparound bridge in chrome, Graph Tech Ratio tuners, and aged nickel barrel knobs by Real Life Relics. Includes a hand-stitched leather strap by C+ MFG with aged nickel quick-release strap locks and a hardshell guitar case.
- Inspiration
- Interpretation
Ben Steele’s 2019 painting The Tabooist, also known as “Mormon Rockwell,” reimagines Norman Rockwell’s 1944 illustration Tattoo Artist (Only Skin Deep).
Steele replaces Rockwell’s sailor with Brigham Young, turning a list of past sweethearts into a humorous reference to Young’s multiple wives. Utah-inspired tattoo designs fill the background.
Steele describes the painting as a playful celebration of Utah’s culture and history, combining his love of art history with a sense of humor.
