A Line Of Air

This painting was inspired by the light, airy sound of the Irish flute, so clean and uplifting it can feel like a breath of fresh air. I love the way that clarity can cut through the warmth and bustle of a busy pub session; even in the thick of chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses, the flute can lift the whole room. That contrast, lively surroundings and a melody that feels almost weightless, is what led me to create this piece.

Like the others in this series of eight Irish musical artists, it’s rooted in the mesmerising traditional music scene found across Ireland’s cosy pubs, where tunes are shared, repeated, and passed around as naturally as conversation. The monochrome palette and faceless subject are intentional, leaving space for your imagination to fill in the details: the expression of the player, the crowd gathered close, the tune you swear you’ve heard before. My hope is that it acts as a doorway back to your own memories of trad music, moments where a single line of melody makes everything else fall quiet for a second.