Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Contributes to Gibson Guitartown on L.A.’s Sunset Strip

Linkin Park co-vocalist Mike Shinoda and tattoo artist Kat Von D are among those participating in the third installment of art guitars featured by Gibson Guitartown on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. The event will show its latest collection of art guitars on July 17 at a VIP reception at Hornburg Land Rover on Sunset Boulevard.

Using spray and acrylic paint, Shinoda has Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory' soldier in a state of rumination. Shinoda, who also is the frontman of the hip hop project Fort Minor, has played an integral hand in Linkin Park's overall artwork and visual aesthetic, lending his influence on the group's merchandising and stage appearances throughout the years. You can watch a 'Hollywood Mix' report on Shinoda's piece right here.

Tatoo artist Kat Von D is also a visualist, as she's also the founder of Wonderland Gallery, a West Hollywood boutique and art gallery situated next to her popular High Voltage Tatoo establishment. Her "City of Angels" piece is a graphite on paper and graphic wrap guitar that serves as an homage to fine-line tattoo art.

Proceeds from the art guitars, which will be auctioned off for charity, will go to the Linkin Park founded nonprofit organization Music For Relief, which provides aid to survivors of natural disasters and support to various environmental programs. The current selection of art guitars includes work representing Sunset Strip Music festival honoree Joan Jett, shock rocker Alice Cooper and Blondie's Debbie Harry.

Previous auctions have raised over $106,600 for charities, with last year's charity auction benefiting the Los Angeles Fund for Education's "Arts Matter" campaign. The guitars that are shown on July 17 will be on display Aug. 3 at the Sunset Strip Music Festival, and  after the festivities they will be placed on the Sunset Strip for public viewing.

Gibson Guitartown on the Sunset Strip was created in August 2010, as 10 foot tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars were placed on Sunset Boulevard. Each sculpture spotlights entertainment figures who have made an indelible mark on the Sunset Strip. Slash, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, Van Halen, and Stevie Nicks are just a few of the artists to be included in this honor.