yes i will yes

Detail, "Bloomsday at Molly Malone's" original collage by Deco

​yes I will Yes.

With those words, Molly Bloom concludes her sleepy soliloquy and James Joyce’s Ulysses ends.  Like Mona Lisa’s smile, the meaning and feeling of the repeated “Yes” has been the source of speculation for nearly 100 years.  This year, Joyce’s novel marks a century since its publication, and in a happy coincidence, my epic collage, “Bloomsday at Molly Malone’s” was purchased and delivered to its new owner.  My cut paper collage pays homage to a celebration of the reading of Ulysses on the 100th anniversary of the day commemorated in fiction on Bloomsday in 2004.  Almost four years after attending this festive, boozy event in a Forest Park, IL, tavern with an enthusiastic friend, I completed this large-scale complex collage, with Joyce’s Yesses in the center. Like most of my work, I created it with scraps cut from magazines and catalogs, slowly building layer upon layer. I celebrated with a vernissage party (coinciding with my birthday) to note its completion and the start of a new chapter in my life.

Original collage "Bloomsday at Molly Malone's" by Deco

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​Since then, “Bloomsday at Molly Malone’s” has been exhibited at several Joyce events, both in Illinois and in Santa Fe; it was a backdrop to a theatrical event of Irish storytellers, and displayed in galleries and even bistros.  About 4 years ago, someone special saw it on display in Santa Fe, fell in love with it, and made a wish to own it.  She bought a large giclée print of it as a place holder.  When events in her life took a magical successful turn, she knew it was time to claim “Molly” as her own. She reached out to me to see if the collage was still available – oh, yes, it was.  This was a marvelous moment for both collector and artist.  I couldn’t be more pleased.

Jennifer, Molly, and me

​When Jennifer Underwood arrived to view it in my home studio for the first time in four years, we were both emotional and teary under our masks.  She said, “I can’t explain it, but this picture is me, somehow.”  So, Molly is now residing in Colorado, awaiting perfect placement in Jen’s home.  Will it be in the dining room?  Above the bar?  Jen’s home is a spacious Victorian, much like my home in Illinois, a Queen Anne painted lady, where Molly came to life.  Jen promised photos in due time, and I will be happy to share them.
​I have giclée prints of Molly in several sizes and they are available for direct purchase from me or in my Etsy shop DECOfineartcollage.

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"Enchantment" greeting card collection by Deco

I also have a gorgeous new greeting card collection that I call “Enchantment” with inspiring collage designs of scenes in New Mexico. They are available in my other Etsy shop, DECOcollageCards.  If you visit Santa Fe in the Land of Enchantment, be sure to visit the Pushpin Collaborative Co., which stocks some of my card designs.

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Work in progress, untitled original collage by Deco

Meanwhile I have been busy on my latest piece – a tree in winter (about 1/16th the size of Molly, lol) and I am loving it.  With the distressing surges of the pandemic, I am keeping a low profile, and keeping healthy. Consequently, I am participating in fewer exhibitions, but I will announce them when they happen.
 
Until then… I wish you YES!

​Deco

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