After the Ceilidh

In my opinion, music is the heartbeat of Cape Breton Island. The endless variety of music produced and played here quite simply injects life with happiness.

This painting focuses on paying homage to traditional Celtic music. Immensely talented musicians roll out fiddle tunes all over the Island - not just at concerts and special events, but in the homes of those lucky enough to host these wonderful musicians.

The main tune in the painting is called "Muileann Dubh", or also known as "Devil in the Kitchen". This old Scottish tune is widely played and very popular in Cape Breton. The Folklore tale behind this tune tells the story of a priest who was walking along a country road, on his way to visit a sick man in the community, when he heard this tune being played in a house that he was walking past. Lured into the home by the beautiful music, apparently he became so captivated by the music that he ended up missing his planned visit with the sick man, whom he later learned has passed. Hence, "Devil in the Kitchen"!

The second tune is "Fair and Tender Ladies". I love this tune, and was lucky enough to hear it sung locally in concert by the beautiful Cape Bretoner, Lucy MacNeil. Her angelic voice, combined with the fiddle, was truly magical!

The painting also pays tribute to the very creative and talented Fabric Artists and Weavers on this Island who have produced the Cape Breton Tartan for us to celebrate our uniqueness.

Painting Medium: Watercolour, Arches 140 lb Cold Press

Size: 13.75" x 16" (35 cm x 41 cm)