Danger Dog Blog

Why I love Nepal: Delicious Tibetan and Tandoori Food

Everyone is always asking 'What to eat in Nepal?"   The traditional food eaten often two or three times daily by the Nepalis is dahl baht.   I need a change -- so these Tibetan and Indian dishes are part of my solution.

One of the things I like about picking up at Hari Timesina's studio is that it is not far from the Siddhartha Family Party House where they have delicious Paneer Tika made fresh in their tandoor oven.   Paneer is fresh cheese, here served with red onions and green bell peppers and grilled in the tandoor.   The paneer is marinated in a spicy tikka sauce before grilling.   Served with a mildly spicy green sauce and a fresh salad of carrots, radish and cucumber and a side of slaw, this dish was as tasty as it looked.   The skinny potato fries were complimentary with my beer.  

I do eat the raw vegetables here in Kathmandu and have not had problems to date.

As you can see Siddhartha is a bit over the top in its decor.   They were prepping a Nepali wedding the day I was there.   If you'd like to see a previous wedding from an earlier trip to this restaurant, please click here.  

Another local place where I can always count on delicious food is at the Bir Restaurant in Boudha.   This tasty Then Thuk soup hit the spot.  Then Thuk is a Tibetan delicacy made with homemade noodles and mixed with a spicy broth and fresh al dente vegetables.   This time of year I was treated to cauliflower, greens, onions, carrots, cabbage and garlic.   Yum.   The cost was 70NR.  At press time, that is less than a US dollar.   Bir serves the noodles with hot sauce, locally made catsup, soy sauce and little hot chilies in a bath of vinegar.  

Bir is a lively restaurant filled with Tibetan monks and locals. 

This Tibetan mother and her two daughters were traveling to Boudha.   They spoke neither Nepali nor English but we had a few words in Tibetan.   The walls of the Bir Restaurant are beautifully painted with Tibetan traditional symbols and have a lovely patina.

Another favorite treat is the Shapale - a Tibetan patty filled with spiced buffalo meat.   Not greasy but crisp and delicious and made to order !!!   Also a great deal at a little over a dollar for two.  

Another day, another Than Thuk.   This time at the Dragon Guest House in Boudha.  Again nutritious and delicious but without the homemade sauce from Bir.   (By the way, I've seen the dish alternatively spelled 'Than Thuk' and 'Then Thuk'.)

Willow the Golden Lab Retreiver by Shiva Thapa  12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal Available

Willow is a Danger Dog in both English and Tibetan in this signboard by Shiva Thapa, an artist that works in Pokhara, Nepal.

Happy Howlidays and Best Wishes for the season.   I hope every one of you gets what you want.

More soon.

Dog Bless and DogSpeed to those of you who are traveling during the holidays.

 If you'd like to order your very own Danger Dog (or Cat) contact me at ampage1@gmail.com.

 

What Else Can These Guys Do?

This trip I had the pleasure of travelling with a girlfriend who ordered portraits of her three children while we were in Nepal.

Jesse, 'Sustainable Son' by Baba   2011 Sold

Baba was chosen as the most likely artist for this assignment, though I believe that Megh Raj Thapa and Sanjib Rana would also be good candidates to realistically portray her children.

Rainbow 1 by Baba   2011 Sold

This portrait was made from a photo where her hair was pulled back with a green tinge, so we needed to give Baba a few extra photos to use as a color reference for her locks.

Rainbow 2 by Baba   2011 Sold

Baba liked the color reference photo so much better he painted that as well.   My husband thinks she looks like Mary Pickford in this portrait.

Justin, Zen Son by Baba   2011 Sold

In this portrait, Baba had fun with the windows and decor backgrounds of Justin the Zen Son.

Enlightened Litigator by Baba   2011   Sold

Baba very much liked this photo of that rare bird - an 'Enlightened Litigator'.

Patches and Little Girl by Sanjib Rana   15"x12"   Acrylic on metal   2010 Available

This portrait of a little girl with her dog Patches illustrates that Sanjib also could be a good choice for someone who wanted a portrait of a family member or friend.   This little girl playing in the sprinkler with her dog was taken from a photo I took of a neighbor's child.  

Beware of Bob by Jit Gurung   Synthetic Enamel on metal   2008 Not Available

This trip is not the first time that I have commissioned portraits.   This painting by Jit Gurung was a wedding present to Bob's new wife and is a classic in the Danger Dog oeuvre.  

"An American Hippie in Israel" Movie Poster by Santosh Shrestha   Acrylic on Canvas   2008   Sold

Given 11 stills from the movie "An American Hippie in Israel", Santosh Shrestha was able to paint this poster sized canvas of scenes from the re-released film.   Originally released in 1972, this film is back on the circuit and this poster travels with the 35mm print. For more information on this fun film, go to www.GrindhouseReleasing.com.    The font has changed on the title, but otherwise Santosh's art is intact.

Dentist by Shiva   12"x12"   Synthetic enamel on metal  2008   Available

Know a dentist that would like a personalized sign?   This would be a good choice.

Dentist by Sufraj Khadka   10"x10"  Synthetic enamel on metal  2008  Available

This juicy lipped signboard is similar to the one that Sufraj painted on a Dentist's office near his studio in Kathmandu.   In person there is a lot more detail to the teeth than in this photo.

As you can see, the art that you can order is limited only by your imagination.   These artists can and will paint anything for you.   Please write to me at ampage1@gmail.com for more information.

It is not too early to order for the next trip !!!

Please send in photos for your order for the next trip.   I leave in early 2012.  However, I have many, many portraits already made of many breeds of pet.   Please ask!!!

This may be the perfect gift.   Give someone you love a portrait of someone they love, and in the meantime support this dying art form.

Each commission I receive will be given to 3 different Nepalese signboard artists, giving 3 struggling artists Fair Trade work and you a choice of 3 colorful paintings on metal!  

Your satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front, only if you like one of the portraits do you pay.   The artists are paid fair trade wages whether you buy or not.

How to Order: 

1. Send a photo of your pet to me at ampage1@gmail.com.

2.  Let me know what you would like the signboard to say.

3. Tell me which style of Danger Dog art you prefer, by giving me examples of signs you have liked on the website or just say whether you like realistic, naive, cartoonish or fanciful. 

4. Follow the Danger Dog Blog and see the works in progress, trips to the studios, the life and arts of Nepal.

5.  Decide which painting you prefer of the 3 and send me a check and I will mail you your very own personal Danger Dog (or Cat)!  

Pricing, more information and examples of the Nepal Art Dog project can be found at NepalDog.com.

If you are lucky enough to be in Los Angeles before the end of December, you can see 60 Nepal Art Dogs at The Loft at Liz's Gallery at 435 S. La Brea LA  90036.   Part of an exhibit titled "Fair Trade", a total of 28 artists are represented in the exhibit so you can get an idea of their varying styles.

The Craft and Folk Art Museum also features the Danger Dogs.  cafam.org

Also, at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, stop by the Santa Monica Museum of Art to see some art. 

New Stone Age on West Third in Los Angeles also has a good selection.  

Or you could order your own pet......

 

 

 

 

See the Dogs Live: Santa Monica Museum of Art

The Danger Dogs (and 8 lovely Cats) are again featured at the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

Karma the Shitzu by Megh Raj Thapa   12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Karma the Jindo by Dilip 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Laz the Shepherd by Sanjib Rana 15"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

K-lev the Canaan Dog by Sagar 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Abba the Doberman Pinscher by Dilip Niroj 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Halo the German Shepherd by Sanjib Rana 15"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Halo the German Shepherd by Baba 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Magic and Marley the Black Labs by Sagar 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Dino the Italian Greyhound by Sagar 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Karma the Shitzu by Sagar 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Dino the Italian Greyhound by Sufraj Khadka 9"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Pacheko the Black Cat by Sufraj Khadka  9"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Giggles the Tuxedo Cat by Sagar 12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Giggles the Black Tuxedo Cat by Megh Raj Thapa   12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Ivan the Grey Cat by Sanjib Rana   15"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Ivan the Grey Cat by Hari Timesina   12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Demien and Mazy the Black Cats by Megh Raj Thapa   15"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Tony the Ginger Cat by Sagar   12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Fisher the Cool Calico Cat by Jit Gurung   12"x12"  Synthetic Enamel on metal   Available

Stop by and do some last minute Christmas Holiday shopping at the Museum.   They have an absolutely fabulous exhibit featuring Beatrice Woods and her magnificent pottery.   Please go to www.Smmoa.org for more information and hours.

Last week, less than 48 hours after the grueling 33-hour return trip from Kathmandu, the Danger Dogs were well-represented at the Craft and Folk Art Museum on Wilshire.   I had a lot of area to spread out the art during the annual Global Bazaar at the Museum.  

No one has ever accused me of a lack of energy or stamina.

It is not too early to order for the next trip !!!

Please send in photos for your order for the next trip.   I leave in early 2012.  However, I have many, many portraits already made of many breeds of pet.   Please ask!!!

This may be the perfect gift.   Give someone you love a portrait of someone they love, and in the meantime support this dying art form.

Each commission I receive will be given to 3 different Nepalese signboard artists, giving 3 struggling artists Fair Trade work and you a choice of 3 colorful paintings on metal!  

Your satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front, only if you like one of the portraits do you pay.   The artists are paid fair trade wages whether you buy or not.

How to Order: 

1. Send a photo of your pet to me at ampage1@gmail.com.

2.  Let me know what you would like the signboard to say.

3. Tell me which style of Danger Dog art you prefer, by giving me examples of signs you have liked on the website or just say whether you like realistic, naive, cartoonish or fanciful. 

4. Follow the Danger Dog Blog and see the works in progress, trips to the studios, the life and arts of Nepal.

5.  Decide which painting you prefer of the 3 and send me a check and I will mail you your very own personal Danger Dog (or Cat)!  

Pricing, more information and examples of the Nepal Art Dog project can be found at NepalDog.com.

If you are lucky enough to be in Los Angeles before the end of December, you can see 60 Nepal Art Dogs at The Loft at Liz's Gallery at 435 S. La Brea LA  90036.   Part of an exhibit titled "Fair Trade", a total of 28 artists are represented in the exhibit so you can get an idea of their varying styles.

The Craft and Folk Art Museum also features the Danger Dogs.  cafam.org

Also, at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, stop by the Santa Monica Museum of Art to see some art. 

New Stone Age on West Third in Los Angeles also has a good selection.  

Or you could order your own pet......