"Chickadaisical" (2023)

WiL Vélez, Chickadaisical, 2023.

stain and acrylic on paper (140lb/300 gsm)

artwork:  8 x 8 in (20.3 x 20.3 cm)

overall dimensions (framed): 14 1/8 x 14 1/8 x 15/16 in (35.88 x 35.88 x 2.38 cm).

This painting includes a 12 x 12 in. acid-free 4 ply (1/16 in) mat board in cream linen with 6.5 in (16.51 cm) circle cutout and 45-degree white core beveled edge, a 12 x 12 in. clear acrylic pane (3/32 in. depth) with non-glare glazing and OP-3 UV filtering, a 1 1/4 in. profile wood frame in matte black with 12 x 12 in. opening and overall dimensions of 14 1/8 x 14 1/8 x 15/16 in. (35.88 x 35.88 x 2.38 cm).

In Chickadaisical, the artist presents an abstract portrait of a Carolina chickadee, inspired by a brief yet captivating encounter with the bird in the garden of his New Orleans home. The encounter sparked an imaginative exploration that evolved into a developing narrative series populated by masked, otherworldly figures who revere and depend on the chickadee as a vital, mystical presence in their world.

The painting blends surreal storytelling with rich materiality. The jewel-toned background—crafted entirely from layered wood stains—infuses the work with a hypnotic, psychedelic quality. This vibrant patterning enhances the enigmatic character of the subject, inviting viewers into a universe where nature, myth, and memory intertwine.

This is a unique, original artwork. Its image, like all images on this website, is the copyright of ©️WiL Vélez. All rights reserved.