Otis Tomas is a talented violin maker who lives back up in the woods, just off the Cabot Trail
in St.Ann's, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

While vacationing nearby, we were fortunate enough to be invited to a music session in his studio. 
We sat on folding chairs in a dimly lit room crowded with sawdust-covered guitar and fiddle cases,
an old piano, and the various tools of his trade, from modern to ancient.  In the room were two
other fiddlers from British Columbia and Louisana, drawn to the island to learn the Cape Breton Sound.
Otis's wife Deanie played a guitar he had made, and there were other guitarists, plus a man playing
concertina and mandolin. As for me,  I brought a pounding heart and my limited skills on the banjo,
but in no time they had me playing without fear.

Half way through the evening, Otis brought out a brand new unfinished violin, sanded and rubbed
to a sheen, but not yet stained or varnished.  He began to play and I had my permanent memory
of the people and music of Cape Breton.

(Otis has a stunning website, www.fiddletree.com.) 

The Unfinished Violin - Prints

Limited edition of 250 Giclée prints, signed by the artist, are available for $160 each (plus $20 shipping), unframed.

Image is 15" wide by 20" high.

To purchase, or to see other prints,
click here.

Contact Barrie Maguire            Back

INDEX of Irish Art - Paintings and Prints of Ireland:

IRISH WRITERS - James Joyce  - W.B. Yeats - Oscar Wilde - John B. Keane - Samuel Beckett - Michael Hartnett - J. M. Synge - George Bernard Shaw - Brendan Behan - Lady Gregory - Sean O'Casey  - Seamus Heaney

IRISH QUILTS: Céide Fields - The Way Home - I Will Give You Ireland - Marin's Quilt - Brigid's Cloak - Patrick's Quilt - Desmond's Quilt

HORSES:  Listowel Trader - Connemara Lady - The Negotiation - White Foal - The Tackled Pony - Piebald-soul - Listowel Pony - Connemara Pony - Mulranny Pony - Cooling Down - A Unicorn in Clare - Travelers - Balleyclare #1 - Balleyclare #2 -Whitethorn Mare

MUSICIANS - Grafton Street - Fiddler Joe - Joe Murphy - Patsy Whelan - Bodhran Player - Galway Street Musician - After the Aire - Martin Hayes - The Unfinished Violin

GOLF: Celtic Golf - Celtic Links