This stunning triptych is an abstract celebration of the vivid imagery and layered emotions found in pages 74, 75, and 76 of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Inspired by Bloom’s tender morning routine—sorting the mail, noticing a letter from his daughter Milly, who is working in Mullingar, while preparing breakfast for himself and his wife still in bed—this artwork weaves together a rich tapestry of colors and themes:
✨ Golden Twilight: The warmth of morning light. ✨ Tea and Live Coals: Hints of comfort and life’s daily rituals. ✨ Brown Paper and Blood-Smeared Kidney Paper: Raw, earthy tones representing the ordinary and the visceral. ✨ Flowerwater: Soft, fleeting beauty amidst the mundane.
Each panel of this triptych captures the essence of these pages, creating a dynamic yet harmonious composition full of depth, movement, and storytelling.
View this artwork here
The Process: Layers of Meaning and Intuition
This artwork took a while to reveal itself to me. Layer upon layer, I built up colors and textures using both acrylic and oil paints. I would find myself revisiting it at night as I checked the door before going to bed. Pajamas on, in my slippers, I couldn’t resist adding a color, texture, or shape across the triptych.
As an artist, it is almost impossible to keep any clothes paint-free, which made me even more careful. Careful application. Considered. Standing back, gathering perspective, and enjoying the journey. The contrasting brights and darks add a moody yet inspiring quality, making this piece deeply immersive and reflective.
The Psychology of Colour: Mood and Emotion
The depth of this artwork is heightened by the interplay of contrasting hues. The golden yellows evoke warmth, optimism, and nostalgia, while the darker blues and deep reds add grounding, mystery, and emotion. Greens introduce a natural, soothing balance, reflecting both the vitality and transience of life. These colors together create a piece that feels both contemplative and energizing, mirroring the emotional complexity of Ulysses itself.
A Legacy in Art
This artwork isn’t just a painting—it’s a legacy. Perfect as an heirloom, this triptych can be passed down through generations. If you have three children, each panel becomes a meaningful piece they can carry forward, preserving a shared connection to art and the timeless narrative of Ulysses.
Bring home this evocative triptych and let it add warmth, intrigue, and beauty to your space while telling a story that transcends time. 🌿
Ulysses Page #074, #075, & #076: Milly in Mullingar
This marks my 74th, 75th, and 76th original artworks inspired by Ulysses by James Joyce, as part of my series, Colours of Ulysses, in which I am creating one artwork per page. With 933 pages in total (Penguin edition), the full series is estimated to take over 20 years to complete.
This triptych consists of pages 75, 76, and 77, which will be sold together—a perfect heirloom for a three-child family. View here