Danger Dog Blog

New Danger Dogs released for sale

I have a couple of wonderful new Danger Dogs that are available as of today!

 
Sport is a 'Good Boy'.   This portrait of a terrier is by Ram Krishna Chaudhury and is now available for sale.   This lively and colorful painting shows what a good Sport he is.

 
Sport by Sabala is also a good example of a terrier portrait. 

 
This double portrait of Lucky and Odie is by Hari Prasad.   Hari P has a down and dirty urban style that I like.   These Dogs have a great smile.

 
Lucky and Odie by Sufraj Khadka.   These paintings were from a black and white photo, explaining the difference in colors.   The artists had a color photo to work from, but it looks like Sufraj didn't understand my instructions.   My fault, not his.  

However, I like the painting and these two make a good pair.    Sufraj adds the 'haru' suffix to the word 'kukor' in the Nepali script above.   'Haru' makes the word plural, hence 'kukorharu' means dogs in Nepali.

More tomorrow.   I hope everyone has a good weekend.   I'm off to PhotoLA on my bicycle.

If you would like to purchase one of these hand-painted signs, please contact me at [email protected].  

They are synthetic enamel on metal and are approximately a square foot.   Painted in Nepal by endangered signboard artists, the Danger Dogs are helping to stem the tide of boring mass-produced digital and computer generated signs that are endemic even in far-away Nepal.

Each commission of a pet generates three pieces of art from three different signboard artists.  

It's the Little Details that Count!

Danger Dogs come in all sizes and shapes.   But it is the little details that add up to a great painting.

 
This painting of my Buff Orpington hen, Grace Kelly, by Shree includes the words 'paint brush' under the signature.   Also, the lovely glow behind her sets off her golden hue.  

 
Sufraj Khadka added this bright carnation to his portrait of the cat Marble.  

  

The light pole, the shadows, the curb and the dramatic Great Dane named Hobbs all add up to a superb portrait.   I took the photos of this Dane in front of Peet's Coffee on Montana in Santa Monica when Hobbs was only 5 months old.   I ran into Hobbs as an adult last Saturday, and he is big and beautiful.

 
In this portrait of Layla by Sagar, it's more big details that charm me.   The girl in the bikini in the background, and the other two feminine forms remind me of a James Bond 007 movie's opening credits.  I wonder what inspired Sagar to paint this white shepherd as an odalisque.

Please contact me for more information about the Danger Dogs at [email protected].   I love to hear comments and questions.   If you'd like me to feature a particular breed of dog or cat, I'd be happy to oblige.

These paintings are all on (often recycled) metal, measure approximately 1 square foot, and are disappearing in their home country, being replaced by generic stenciled signs.   One way you can help is to order your very own Danger Dog (or Cat, Bird, Ferret, Turtle, etc.).   Hand-painted signboards are becoming an endangered species in Nepal.   It is one small way to help.  

Danger Dogs are for pet lovers who collect art and want to make a difference!

Discount Danger Dogs!

For the next couple of weeks, some Danger Dogs are discounted at the Santa Monica Museum of Art.  

Please stop in and see what bargains are in store!   The Museum is reopening this Friday night with a gala opening.    Members are welcome for the preview from 6-7 pm and from 7-9, the doors are open to everyone.   The show should be a good one.  

 
Khanchan from Pokhara painted this Golden Retriever in 2007.    This is a dramatic piece done in the traditional Nepali Danger Dog style.   Ask for Discount Dog #1.   All Dogs are available for a 40% discount at the store.  ($120 from the usual $198.)

 
This charming pair is a Pomeranian and a Klee Kai by ShaShi.   Don't be fooled by this pair!    By the way, a Klee Kai is a miniature breed of Husky from Alaska.  Ask for Discount Dog #2.

 
This is Onslow the Dashshund.   Only the top left by Hari Timsina is on sale this month at the Santa Monica Museum.   Couldn't find a single photo.  Check back tomorrow if you are interested -- I'll replace this photo.  Ask for Discount Dog #3.

 
Here is Peanut.   The portrait top right by Sufraj is the one on offer above.   This goes to show the vast differences between three artists' versions of the same photo.   Ask for Discount Dog #4.

 
A Shibu Inu by Manoj of Pokhara.  Ask for Discount Dog #5.

 
I love this Double Dog of Maggie and Jojo.   Maggie's collar and the Super Dogs logo really crack me up.   This one is really beautiful in person.   This should go to a good home.   Ask for Discount Dog #6.

 
Chip the Spaniel by Nabin has a soulful look in his eyes.   This unassuming dog makes a great Danger Dog.  Ask for Discount Dog #7.

 
This Bichon Frisee by Sabala is a bit of an odalisque.     Certainly he is Enlightened.   Ask for Discount Dog #8.

 
Another Double Dog portrait.  This one is 'pented by Amar' Shrestha.  Ask for Discount Dog #9.

 
Pinky the Jack Russell terrier has settled into a favorite pose, painted by Dilip.  Ask for Discount Dog #10.

 
Maggie and Flip are two Retrievers by Amar Shrestha.   Ask for Two-headed Discount Dog #11.

 
This smiling black dog is by Amar Shrestha.   The Nepali script reads 'Dharma Dog'.   Ask for Discount Dog #12.

 
This is by Khardar Gurung, from the village of Jomson, high in the Himalayas, and part of the Annapurna circuit.   The script is in Tibetan, and I hand-carried this signboard (and it's brothers) from an altitude of 13,000 feet down to 3,000 feet!  (It took about ten days.)   I did not have any photos of dogs with me, so I just asked Khardar to paint a dog and this was his response.   Ask for Discount Dog #13.

 
This black dog with a rainbow background is painted by Prem, an artist from Pokhara.  Ask for Discount Dog #14.

 
Foxy, painted by Manoj of Pokhara, is painted against a pale seafoam green background.   Ask for Discount Dog #15.

 
Oscar by 'Penter Amar' Shrestha with his little red toy at his feet.   Ask for Discount Dog #16.

 
Lastly, this puja puppy I met on the streets of Nepal -- all decked out in his garland of flowers and with a red 'tika' on his forehead -- is a lucky dog.   This little puppy was celebrating his first 'Day of the Dog' and was much adored by his young Nepali owner.   This painting is also by Amar Shrestha.   Ask for Discount Dog #17.

Though these Dogs are discounted, they are among my favorites, and are all good examples of the Danger Dog oeuvre.   This is the best price ever offered on a Danger Dog.  These temporarily discounted prices are to support the Museum's gift shop Gracie during it's 40% off sale.

Please come and support this wonderful gem of a Museum in Santa Monica by buying one of these Danger Dogs, get a good deal in the meantime, and support the Nepali artists to boot.   I haven't seen the latest exhibit, but this museum always puts on a great show.   For directions and more information on this new exhibit, please go to smmoa.org.

Black Labrador Danger Dogs!

I have had a request for a Black Lab Retriever.   Here's what I've got!

  

I can hardly believe my good luck to still have this lovely portrait of Cooper the Black Labrador by Dilip.   You can see why it took 5 months for his owner to decide.    But it is back and available, and a beautiful Danger Dog.   $200

 
Davey, an Enlightened Lab by Amar Shrestha, relaxes on his green mat with a golden backing.  Davey actually has a white marking on his breastbone.   $170

 
Back to Cooper with his favorite toy frog.   This time by Hari Prasad, Cooper is a Zen Black Lab.   $170

 
I promise to take a better photo of this portrait of Cooper by Shahi tomorrow!    $170

 
Raaz painted Arrow with her pink tongue and her rhinestone necklace.   $160

 
Killian the Black Lab by 'penter' Amar Shrestha.   Amar paints better than he spells!   The Nepali script translates as 'Dharma Dog'.    $150

 
Jack is the kind of Labrador Retriever that loves the beach.     Dharma Dog Jack is by Hari Prasad.   $170

 
Here is Jack the Danger Dog with a favorite toy as painted by Megh Raj.   He captured a nice gleam in the eye.   $180

 
Jack by Sufraj Khadha.   Sufraj added a nice detail with the nametag and Jack's collar.    $170

 
Layla the Black Enlightened Lab by Shree.   I like this one for its folksy quality, nice border detail, Shree's signature with the paintbrush flourish underneath, and the exclamation point after 'Here!'.   $200

 
This is a black lab by NK Art in Beni.   Beni is the district capital of Myagdi district.   There are 3 signboard artists there that I have found.   The tongue is typical of Nepali signboard art.   The dog is from a 'rescue me' flyer.   The teeth are nice.   $170

 
Shiva Thapa is from New Road in Pokhara, Nepal's premiere resort town.   This painting is of an unknown Italian Black Labrador.   $130

I do have a few more Danger Dog Black Labs, so please contact me if you have any questions at [email protected].   You can also check out my website at NepalDog.com and click on a specific artist if you want to see more from a particular artist.  

Prices are good until Valentine's Day for these Black Labs.  

Dog of the Day - Stella!

Stella is an unusual beauty.   She is part Basset Hound and part Springer Spaniel and a lovelier combination would be hard to find.

 
Named after the beer Stella Artois, she is as soft and friendly as can be.   I had the good fortune to meet Stella and her owner at the Terrence Rogers Gallery who were having an opening of the fine young artist Jason Kowalski.   More information on the show can be found here at the Terrence Rogers website.

 
This is Chester, a full-blooded Basset Hound, as painted by Nara of Asha Arts.   Available.

 
Chester in profile by Sufraj.    Available.

 
This Springer Spaniel by JK Arts is extra large at 18 square inches.   Available.

All of the above artwork is on metal, and hand-painted by Nepali signboard artists.   I have commissioned over 1400 pieces to date, giving considerable work to these endangered artists.   

You can support the project by buying an existing piece - I have many breeds available, including cats, birds and rodents - or by commissioning a piece of your own pet.   Each commission will get a choice of three pieces by three different Nepali signboard artists.     Prices vary on existing signs but most range from $130-$200.

Send me a photo of your pet, and the next time I go to Nepal (twice a year), I will give that photo to three artists.  The cost is $250 for a single image on the metal signboard, and you pay only after I return and you decide which of the three you like.    You pay nothing if you do not like any of the three.  The extra signs are sold at museum shops around the country.  

You get a choice of three paintings, three artists get work and museum shops get folk art!   Micro-finance through art patronage!

Please contact me at [email protected] for more information or with any questions.   Go to www.NepalDog.com to see my website.