Danger Dog Blog

Live from Catmandu: Cat portraiture

This post is dedicated to all the lovely cats that joined the Danger Dogs on this trip.

Alexander and Red are a couple of very cute kittens who bring their companion Double Happiness.   By Baba, Sanjib Rana and Megh Raj Thapa (clockwise from top left), this is going to be a challenge to choose. 

Giggles the Black and White Tuxedo Cat is portrayed by Baba, Megh Raj Thapa and Sagar (clockwise from top left).  Which would you choose?

The inscrutable Ivan was painted by Sanjib Rana, Baba and Hari Timesina (clockwise from top left).

Purrfect.

And who could resist the flamboyant Rocco with his pink feather boa.   Who said redheads can't wear pink?   By Baba, Megh Raj Thapa and Sufraj Khadka (clockwise from top left).

On another note, I often cut through the lovely grounds of the Shechen Monastery on my way home from the Stupa.   Last night, the monks were practicing their debate skills.   It is a scripted debate that they must learn verbatim.   There are two participants - one stands and gesticulates, and the other sits on the ground and does his part.   The clamour of all those monks debating was quite striking.

It was a special day yesterday in Bouda, with the Stupa lit up and even more foot traffic than usual.

More tomorrow.   I hope to be seeing some more final Danger Dogs then.

The deadline is fast approaching for the cut off of this last  Danger Dog trip.   Your order must be in by November 22, 2011.

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.

Now is the time to order:    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 Gallery of Functional Art and see some Dogs!  

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

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

Works in Progress from Baba

Fisher the Cool Cat is drying outside Baba's shop.   Baba is obviously back in the saddle with this one.   I love the bubble background that he gave her portrait

Imagine my surprise (and Baba's) when I surprised him at his easel while painting Topper.   I had no idea that he watched Indian soaps while painting!

Topper in progress!   This is an unusual photo of Topper ensconced in bed yawning showing his fangs!

Baba's work is all stacked up, and along the walls.   Here is his work in progress of Matilda and Cabbage, two beautiful pit bulls.

Puck is back in the spotlight in this portrait by Baba.   This will be a good one!

This portrait of Abbey, a Newfoundland, is in its very early stages.

Tony the Cat in the early stage.

Here is Tony by Megh Raj Thapa, considerably farther along.   Tony is a beautiful ginger cat.

This is the first image of Tito that I have seen, and I thnk he was captured nicely by Megh Raj. 

Sorry for the quality of this photo, but here is a (blurry) version of Tito by Baba.   Looks like a tough choice ahead. 

Lola the Coton de Tulear in her third portrait (this time by Megh Raj) sits in the corner next to Typhoon the award-winning Collie.

And, as always, Onup, Megh Raj's handsome son, is there to greet me.   Onup is often hard at work doing graphic design for those that no longer want the marvelous hand-painted art from his father.

Your pet can be immortalized on metal by struggling Nepali signboard artists whose hand-painted work is being replaced by digital graphics.   Find out how below.

Please check out the Nepal Dog YouTube Channel:   http://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog

You will be happy you did!

 

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders accepted through June 1, 2011.

 

I am back in Nepal for the 9th Danger Dog trip and am accepting commissions now.   I'll be back to the states in early June, just in time for Father's Day presents.  

HOW TO ORDER

To order, please send me a photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of paintings and three people will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

Send your photo to ampage1@gmail.com or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

Hello from Dogmandu!

 

 

Happy Vietnamese Year of the Cat!

In Vietnam, today is the Day of the Cat.  Apparently, the Vietnamese changed the Year of the Rabbit into a Cat!   No problem here.   I like them both.  Happy New Year in every case.

Lula is a Burmese Cat, here as portrayed by Sufraj Khadka whilst wrestling with his owner's blue clad feet!   Sorry I don't have any Vietnamese Cats today, so you will have to settle for Burmese and Siamese.

Amar Shrestha ditched the socks in his portrait of Lula.   By the way, Lula is a boy whose balls dropped too late to change his name!

A third Lula by the always interesting Hari Timesina.

Another lovely Asian cat is Simone the blue-eyed Siamese Cat by my newest artist, Indra Lama.  

Again we have the lovely Simone, this time by Sufraj Khadka.  

To learn more about the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or the beginning of the Year of the Cat, please go to gmanews site.  They know a lot more than I do!

The Year of the Cat begins on February 3, 2011, and, as in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, is celebrated by cleaning the house and wearing red.   It is part of the Tet holidays.   They say that the Year of the Rabbit is quiet and refined, a welcome respit after the turbulent Year of the Tiger.    I hope the Year of the Cat is the same.  

All paintings featured today are available at this time.

Stay tuned for more about Folk Art from the Himalayas.   In the meantime, you can always catch the NepalDog Channel on YouTube.    You might like the Nepali Folk Music too.

Danger Dogs from Nepal is a Fair Trade art project which promotes the dying art of signboards in Nepal.

Danger Dogs are handpainted signs painted on (often recycled) metal in Nepal.   Each piece is approximately one foot square (though some artists insist on different sizes) using synthetic enamel.   They can be hung indoors or out.

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, three people get work, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

I am now accepting custom orders for the next Danger Dog trip to Nepal sometime in spring 2011.     You tell me what you would like it to say!

Your satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   All artists get paid in any case.   You pay only if you like one  (or more) of the portraits of your pet.

Please contact me if you need a special present, as after making over 1700 of these art pieces I have just about every breed imaginable.   Please write me at ampage1@gmail.com with any requests or questions. 

Micro-finance through art patronage.  

Give someone you love a portrait of someone they love - and support art from the Himalayas -- Dogmandu.

 Visit the NepalDog.com website.

 

 

 

Live from Kathmandu! Final Cats!

Here are the final three for Simone, a blue-eyed charmer.   By Sufraj, Megh Raj and Indra, a new artist I met this trip (clockwise from top left).

That's it!   Almost an hour and one photo!   But it is a beauty.

Be sure to visit the Danger Dog website at www.NepalDog.com

 

Live from Kathmandu! New finals and works in progress!

Raaz was a tad late in bringing his signs, but they were worth the wait.   Here we have Mr. Deeds, a brindle Great Dane, Louis the Mexican rescue dog, and the always lovely Esme, a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The third Coco the white cat by Sufraj Khadka is ready.   His studio is dark and this is not the best photo, but it gives you an idea.

Sufraj also painted the cute Louis, a former Mexican street dog who has found nirvana in San Diego in her loving home.  

Here is the first work in progress of Hutch by Megh Raj.   Hutch is part Jindo, a Korean breed, and a handsome dog he is.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!   The reception at the American Ambassador's house Wednesday aftenoon was great fun and a nice way for the American community to connect and enjoy a great holiday.   There was spectacular artwork throughout the house.

3 more days to order!

Sorry to shout, but any fence sitters need to take the leap soon!     I will be taking orders until November 30.  

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)!  

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