Born and raised on the beautiful shores of the Caribbean Sea, in the Virgin Islands, Dig - the creative force behind Sacred Fire Arts - spent his childhood between North America and the Islands. He began drawing with a passion at 7, and began supporting himself as an artist by 17. Since then he has spent over 30 years working as a custom artist in various mediums. In that time, his work has received international recognition and acclaim and been featured in numerous print publications, including newspapers, a book and many magazines.
His pyrographic artistic creations adorn the guitars of performers like John Butler, Michael Franti, Ash Grunwald and Shawn James, to name a few.
Creating highly-personalized, custom guitar designs is a collaborative project that Dig finds extremely rewarding and it’s work that he is incredibly grateful to be able to do. For him, the process of designing a guitar that can be a cherished heirloom for generations to come is both an honor and a pleasure.
When not working on guitars, Dig loves spending time with his wife and kids, appreciating nature, making music with his son, studying self-defense skills, and playing guitar, banjo, mandolin and hang drum.
Take 57 seconds to check out some of my favorite woodburned guitars.
Michael "Dig" O'Neal, the creative force behind Sacred Fire Arts, has worked as a custom artist for over 30 years. In that time, his work has received international recognition and acclaim and been featured in art galleries, on stage in front of huge audiences, and in numerous print publications; including newspapers, a book and magazines.
His has created custom woodburned guitars for a number of popular performers, including John Butler, Michael Franti, Ash Grunwald, Shawn James, and the top-grossing Grateful Dead offshoot band, Dead and Company. To name a few.
These days, when not working on guitars, Dig loves spending time with his family, appreciating nature, playing guitar, banjo, mandolin and hang drum, and training in the martial arts, including Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.