Danger Dog Blog

Spider Art from Nepal

Kathmandu artists are no strangers to spiders in their hometown, but they jumped at the chance to paint an animal of a different color.

This four-eyed spider is lovingly recreated by Sanjib Rana.   This painting is acrylic on metal and perfectly captures the hairy fascination of this spider.   This portrait is 12" by 15".

I will try to get an id of the type of spider and will update you when I learn.

Megh Raj Thapa took some liberties with the color background of this dramatic spider.   This is synthetic enamel on recycled metal and is 12" x 12".

Last but never least, we have Baba's portrait of a spider on a golden flower.   Also 12" by 12", using synthetic enamel on recycled metal.

The original photos were taken by Miriam Schulman.

For pricing and more information on these charming folk art portraits of spiders from Nepal, please visit NepalDog.com on the Spider page.

If you look closely, in center frame, there is a rather large spider ensconced in his web. This photo was taken in the small town of Darbang, in the province of Myagdi.   I recommend getting off the beaten path to this traditional village.   After completing the Annapurna Circuit, stay a while in Galeshwor, then trek up the hill to Darbang.   We stayed in town 4 days and went exploring in each direction each day.   More on Darbang can be found in a previous Danger Dog Blog.  

Hope everyone enjoyed Earth Day.  

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I am planning to return to Nepal soon, so if you would like to order your own Danger Dog (or Danger Spider) now is the time.

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, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2012 trip. 

Please send me a photo of your pet.  I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 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.

Let me know what you would like it to say.

Let me know what style of portrait you would prefer:   naive, realistic, colorful, etc.

That's it !   Click here for pricing.

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

Go to www.NepalDog.com for more information and current pricing.

Let's keep these artists painting.

 

 

Miniature Himalayan Wildflowers

Near the sacred town of Muktinath, holy place to both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, there are many, many tiny wildflowers.
Because of the altitude (3800 meters or 12,500 feet), these flowers must be small to survive.

This tiny blue Gentian was photographed not far from Muktinath in the Mustang region of Nepal.   Identified in the Nepali flower books as Gentiana tubiflora this little stunner is an example of the size of the rest of the flowers in this post.   The photo was taken on April 27, 2011.

This Gentiana ornata is a little larger than the previous blue gentian, but not much.  Taken the same day in the same area of Lower Mustang. All of the photos in today's blog are within a week of that timeframe.

This Androsace with its pretty multi-hued flowers is found on the saddles of high passes in the region.   One could fit 15 of these flowers on a thumbnail, to give an idea of scale.   This could perhaps by Androsace lehmanni or Androsace tapete.   These dense cushions appear to be rocks unless you look closely.

This unknown beauty is not in the book.  Any help in identification will be greatly appreciated.  

Another tiny flower on the high passes near Muktinath.  

While this flower appears to be a Buttercup, the leaves have no relation to the Ranuncula family.   Another mystery.

This moth's final resting place is beside this small flower that grows in the mountain stream between Keg Beni and Jharkot in the watercourse below the ruins of an ancient village long forgotten.

A larger shot of the same unidentified plant in the mountain stream.

Astralagus grahamianus is common to Mustang.   All of these flowers are near to the famous Annapurna Circuit, if you just get off the main path a bit.

Astralagalus candolleanus is also commonly found amid the forbidding, rocky and windy terrain.

Primula rosea are common in the paths between the fields.   With their cheerful yellow eye and soft shade of blue, these primroses are a true delight in miniature form.

The Primulas grow on very dry land in harsh conditions.

This is the wildflower walk that led to the Androsace shown earlier in the post.   Just to give you some context.   By the way, this is considered the 'off season' and it is our favorite time to travel to Lower Mustang.   The wildflowers to be seen vary greatly by altitude and there are many microclimates in the mountains.

More context.   This is our hotel whilst in the town of Jharkot.   We prefer Jharkot to Muktinath because it is charming and the road bypasses the village.   The Hotel New Plaza is a spectacular starting point for wildflower walks in the Himalayas.   Or wildflower treks.   Those high saddles have wildflowers, but you may need a magnifying glass.   The trek is always worth is. 

For more of the Himalayan Wildflower series on Typepad, please link here. 

All identifications are based on the book "Concise Flowers of the Himalaya" by Oleg Polunin and Adam Stainton, published by the Oxford University Press, Oxford India Paperbacks.

I do notice that the authors of this book (one who died in 1985) did not travel to this specific area of Nepal (lower Mustang - from Keg Beni to Muktinath and everything in between), therefore the bloom times vary, and I need to take more photos of the leaves if possible to make identification easier.   I promise to do better this season.

 

 
Of course, it would not be the Danger Dog Blog if I did not include a  Beware of Dog sign.  This naive sign, now guarding the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Project) Kitchen, has been an inspiration to me even before I became an art dealer specializing in commissioned Beware of Dog signs from Nepal.

The Nepalese translation for the above sign is 'Kukur dehi sabadan' or 'Be aware of dog'.

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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, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2012 trip. 

Please send me a photo of your pet.  I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 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.

Let me know what you would like it to say.

Let me know what style of portrait you would prefer:   naive, realistic, colorful, etc.

That's it !   Click here for pricing.

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

Go to www.NepalDog.com for more information and current pricing.

Let's keep these artists painting.

 

 

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.

 

Live from Kathmandu: Art at the Carter Center

Sanjib Rana is one of my favorite people in Nepal.   A soft-spoken Nepali man who speaks English well (self-taught), I found Sanjib a job painting watercolors and canvasses for the largest hotel chain in Nepal.

The good news is that recently he was given the assignment to paint the 'great paintings of the world' and you can see he is working hard.

The bad news is that his mother has 'expired' 3 months ago.   She had had a long bout with kidney problems, so in the past Sanjib took his mother to dialysis 3 times per week - a costly and painful time.  That is why his hair is so short, as it is the custom here to shave your head after the death of a loved one. 

This means he can now work for 6 days per week instead of three.  In 9 months, after the mourning period for his mother, he intends to join his sister and brother-in-law in Geneva, Switzerland.   So next trip will be the last time I can hire him to paint Danger Dogs.  

Sanjib paints in the lovely garden of the Carter Center.   Former president Jimmy Carter is a big fan of Nepal, comes here often and is a popular statesman here.  

I might add 'Respect this signboard!'

I found this Danger Dog sign on the way to see Sanjib.  

A beauty parlor sign AND a dog.   Who could resist?

This is an old favorite 'Beware of Dog' sign that I saw being put up in 2007.   It has weathered well.

Another old favorite.   What a tongue !!!

 

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.

Also, at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, stop by the Gallery of Functional Art and see some Dogs!  

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Time is running short!!!

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 now being accepted for November 2011 trip.   All signs will be ready with plenty of time to mail for the holidays.

 

HOW TO ORDER

1.   Please send me a medium to high resolution photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 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.

2.   Let me know what you would like it to say.

That's it !

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!

 

 

 

 

Funny Dogs in Costume from Nepal

I know, I know... it's early to be getting out the dogs in Halloween costume blog, but today is my birthday and Halloween is my favorite holiday.   And, once again, I'll be in Nepal and I'll miss Halloween another year.

Veera the Boston Terrier by Sabala  2008  12"x12" Synthetic enamel on metal   Sold

It is rare for a Nepali dog to be wearing a fur coat (at least someone else's), and I'm sure this is the first time that Sabala had seen anything like a dog in a coat, but he captured Veera's little pink underbelly and manages to convey the look in her eye of complete control and masterful self awareness and entitlement.   Veera looks like a little queen here.

Veera the Boston Terrier by Vinosh 12"x12" Synthetic enamel on metal  2008  Sold

Vinosh (signed by Birju who did the lettering) also had fun with Veera's portrait.   She looks like a queen in an old fashioned portrait by an old master.   The Nepali signboard artists have an interesting use of color.  I would never think of using red and green lettering with  blue writing below and a pink border all on a light butternut background, but you have to agree it works here.

Veera in person, regal in her fur coat.

Cabbage and Matilda by Baba, Dilip Niroj and Jit Gurung 2011   All sold

Cabbage and Matilda are bandits in their three portraits by these artists.   I understand completely why Cabbage and Matilda's companion could not choose between these portraits and bought all three.

Roxy the Cowgirl by Amar Shrestha, Dilip Niroj and Sagar  2010  All sold

Ditto with Roxy the Australian Cattle Dog with her 6-shooter.    How could you not want all three of these if the charming Roxy was your Cowgirl?  

Laz the Pit Bull by Megh Raj Thapa  12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal 2008   Available

Lazarus is a handsome pit bull that is dressed as a boxer (?) or is he just relaxing in his towel after an extensive spa treatment?   Either way, he is pretty in pink as painted here by Megh Raj.

As you can see, Laz is a supermodel for Tropiclean.

Jack Nelson by Santosh Shrestha  12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal 2009  Available

Jack Nelson is also a supermodel.   A Jack Russell from the cover of a catalogue, he so enchanted my client that she ordered a Danger Dog portrait of his smiling face.   As painted by Santosh Shrestha, Jack looks jaunty in his striped tie.  

Gigi the black standard poodle dresses up as a lady bug to pick up her Danger Dog portrait.   Of course, Gigi is an 'Enlightened Dog' and she is definitely a 'lady'.

GiGi at the Beach by Hari Timesina 12"x12" Synthetic Enamel on metal 2008 Available

GiGi goes from lady bug to beach bunny in this portrait by Hari Timesina.   This one is a true beauty done by one of my most naive artists.  Black standard poodles wear their costumes well, and GiGi is no exception.

This little Chihuhua is dressed as a skunk.   The Chihuahua and his lovely handler are at the Ghetto Gloss Gallery for an exhibition of the Danger Dogs.   Willow the Golden Labrador Retreiver by Sagar is on the wall to the right.   Willow is dressed as a hula girl.

Bobby Gorgeous, dressed as a Blowfish, also attended.   This little dog is so handsome, well-behaved, alert and, yes, gorgeous.

Actress Jenny Mollen Biggs agrees, as Bobby nestles in her lap.

This pup has his own website, twitter, myspace page, facebook account etc.   Fortunately, he has not let it go to his head.   This little Pomeranian should be in movies!  He is perfectly behaved, has an animated face, he's quiet, interested in everything around him, soft as a furry cloud of fluff.   He loved wearing this costume -- strutting and shaking his little blowfish costume like a Zeigfield Follies boy.    The purple glow is a LED light.  Needless to say, this photo does not do justice to Bobby nor his costume, which was clearly the winner in the evening's costume contest.

I hope you get some good ideas for costumes.   Just remember that not all dogs like them.   In fact, I'd guess that most merely tolerate them!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 now being accepted for October/November 2011 trip.   All signs will be ready with plenty of time to mail for the holidays.

 

HOW TO ORDER

1.   Please send me a photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 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.

2.   Let me know what you would like it to say.

That's it !

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!