The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo 2024 Official Painting by Lillian Aguinaga

Custom framed acrylic, iridescent gold, and oil paint marker on canvas 24'x30'

Dive into “Beneath the Surface: Bayou Boogaloo” — a captivating visual journey set on the enchanting Bayou St. John, where art and music come alive in the most extraordinary ways. Join us in celebrating the legacy of New Orleans’ culture through the eyes of our talented artist, Lillian Aguinaga. She has masterfully rendered this wondrous painting, rich in intricate details and infused with subtle humor. Hand-made by Lillian’s partner, a local artisan, the one-of-a-kind frame is crafted from Louisiana cypress and overflows with individuality while accentuating the beauty of Lillian's artwork.

"Beneath the Surface: Bayou Boogaloo" depicts characters celebrating the transformative power of music and art on Bayouk Choupic, also known as Bayou St. John. The energy emanating from the trombone player pours into the bayou waters, flowing throughout the creatures and plants before returning to the atmosphere. As this energy passes through each character, it evolves into something new, symbolizing how art and music can uplift, transform, and unite individuals from diverse backgrounds. This highlights the significance of music and art in New Orleans' culture.

The trombone player draws inspiration from New Orleans Musician and Educator, Ashley Shabankareh (Marina Orchestra), while the plants and animals featured are native to Louisiana waters. Alongside references to Bayou St. John's history and culture, such as the music tree and vèvè on the sunken vehicle, there are also hidden symbols representing the Wu-Tang Clan. Can you spot them? “Beneath the Surface” contains numerous fine details that demand close attention to be fully appreciated, such as the bee resting on the alligator's nose or the nutria lounging on the Bayouk Choupic sign. In addition to the title “Beneath the Surface” being a nod to GZA, many of the characters are lovingly named after Wu members: AlliGZA, Method Bassman, Old Dirty Crawfish, Naekwon the Nutria, Inspectah Toad, Rza the Razor Moccasin, Pelladonna, and Lotusface Killah.”