Dagger

Dagger (Chimp Collection No. 7) is the final piece in the sibling trio, and from the very beginning, I knew exactly how he would be placed: right in the middle, flanked by his siblings—Kabuki on his right, watching him with that moral compass of hers, and Rigger on his left, bookkeeping with quiet loyalty.

Because Dagger is the boss.

He’s the one with the connections, the charm, and a business model that might raise a few eyebrows. Kabuki keeps an eye on him for ethical reasons. Rigger, well, he keeps the books, and that’s all he needs to know.

He was pure fun to paint. I gave him sleeves inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night—a nod to both chaos and brilliance—and a big ruby stone ring that only someone this bold could pull off. His suede hat was an exercise in texture, and the light reflections were a new layer of technical challenge.

Dagger knows the game. He’s slick, smart, and maybe just a little dangerous.

In this chimp family, he’s the one who doesn’t ask for permission. He is the shot caller.