Danger Dog Blog

See the Dogs Live: Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles

There is a new crop of Dogs (and a Cat) at the Craft and Folk Art Museum here in Los Angeles.

Popo the 'Denger Gog' by Dilip is a charming portrait by Dilip Niroj of Kathmandu.   While capturing the spirit (though not the letters) of this dog, Dilip nevertheless manages to deliver Popo's twinkle in his eye.  No question, Popo is a true Danger Dog no matter what this sign says.   By the way, the Nepali script reads 'Kukur dehi hosiar' or 'Dog here is vicious!'

By Sagar of Kathmandu, we have a Double Dog (Posey and Scooter).   This dynamic duo can be yours if you contact the museum.  They are happy to ship these pieces, and you will be supporting a great museum at the same time.   www.Cafam.org

This Havanese named Desi (of course) is a pirate puppy painted by Punam of Pokhara.   Try saying that 3 times quickly!  

You will have to forgive me, but Lucy's portrait by Sufraj Khadka will not be uprighted!   But she is available at CAFAM.org all the same.

Corton is a lovely little white dog painted by Sabala of Surya Studios.   This is a masterful painting by the self-proclaimed 'Elephant of Artists'.   This is already sold.   Apparently, Corton is a dead ringer for Buster!

Sonny, a white lab who was billed as 'so lazy he eats lying down, the true danger being tripping over the big lug' is painted by Sabala.   He looks formidable here!

Arrow (by Raaz Rai) is a black lab with a rhinestone collar who aims to please.  

Gracie Slick the Terrier by Sufraj Khadka looks very formal in her portrait.

Bijoux the Golden Retreiver is a lucky dog, here she holds the wall in her portrait by Sagar. 

Can't forget the cats!   Above is the black cat Zia in an extraordinary portrait by Sabala of Surya Studio. 

Peanuts by Sagar is dramatic and colorful.

These are the new Danger Dogs that are available at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.   If you are interested in buying them, please contact the museum directly at www.Cafam.org

As you can see, the Danger Dogs are in good company.  This is a beautiful store full of treasures.   They have extended holiday hours, so please check the website for information.   The Craft and Folk Art Museum is directly across from the Los Angeles Museum of Art on Wilshire in mid-city Los Angeles.

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!

I am now accepting custom orders for the next Danger Dog trip to Nepal sometime in spring 2011.   These signboards are approximately one foot square, they are painted on metal using synthetic enamel and can be hung indoors or out.    You tell me what you would like it to say!

Please contact me if you need a special present, as after making over 1700 of these 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.  

 

 

 

 

 

Why I Love Nepal! I miss it already!

This is how well-to-do young Nepali girls dress and the shops they frequent.     Have I mentioned that most Nepalis are beautiful from the very young to the oldest.   Both men and women dress nicely and have nice hair.  They are also generally honest, polite and family-oriented.   Not a bad combo.

Kathmandu is a town with stunning rooftop views.  That is Ganesh Himal in the background here.

Kathmandu is full of great contemporary art.   Here Tenzin Norbu Lama (featured in Eric Valli's Oscar-nominated movie 'Himalaya' aka 'Caravan'), Jim Aplington - co-owner of Lotus Gallery - and I enjoy cups of tea and the Contemporary Tibetan art on the gallery walls.   Jim and Santosh, his Nepali partner, represent many fine artists.  

Kathmandu is a land where Holymen and tourists mingle with cows and pigeons in front of ornate temples.   And document every step of the way.

And you  have to love a country that has an official 'Day of the Dog' or 'Kukor Puja'.   As part of the festival of Tihar, each dog is given a garland, a tika (blessing on the forehead), and delicious food that would warm the cockles of any dog....

Up in those world-class mountains, amid those chrystal clear lakes...Who could ask for more?

Exploring caves, finding shaligrams and new paths...  Sheltered from the high winds, we had fun clambering up the mountainside to visit the caves near Jharkot.

Megh Raj Thapa with his work in progress of the lovely Coco the Cat.   Megh Raj said goodbye by thanking me for supporting his business and offering a cup of tea. 

But most of all I love the Danger Dog Art Project and all the cool art that collects in my Kathmandu Kitchen.   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 go to Nepal.   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.   These signboards are approximately one foot square, they are painted on metal using synthetic enamel and can be hung indoors or out.    You tell me what you would like it to say!

Please contact me if you need a special present, as after making over 1700 of these 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.   

 

 

 

New at the Santa Monica Museum of Art

If you want to get your Holiday shopping done and support the Danger Dog Art Project and a cool museum...

Lula the Burmese Cat lives in London.   Lula is a tom cat, surprisingly (with a name like Lula), as well as a Zen Kitty.   Here he plays with his owners feet (clad in blue socks).   This portrait of Lula by Sufraj Khadka is available at the Santa Monica Museum of Art gift shop here in Santa Monica.   Please go to smmoa.org to purchase this cat!  They are open extended hours during the holiday season and will ship to you.

Neo, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, painted by Sabala, is also available at Gracie, the museum's shop.

Palden, the Nepali Lhasa Apso, by my newest artist, Indra Lama is also available.  

This attack Jack Russell was from Dilip Niroj's own files.   Painted from a black and white newspaper clipping, I think Dilip did a good job with this.   As a practical sign, I sure would think twice before coming into any house with this signboard out front!    Though it is definitely beautiful.   That Jack Russell has a good dentist!

Hutch the Jindo mix by Megh Raj was also chosen.   This is very delicately painted with fine attention to detail around the snout and collar.   Hutch is a handsome dog.

Ernie the white Schnoodle by Shree Laimechhaine.   The Nepali lettering reads 'Danger Dog' or 'khatara kukor'.

Aussie is a big white Labradoodle, painted by Sagar.  

Bindi the Doberman Pinscher by Sufraj Khadka is a true Danger Dog.  

These and many other Danger Dogs and Zen Cats are available.   For more information on the Fair Trade Danger Dog Art Project, please go to www.NepalDog.com.

If you are looking for a particular type of pet, ask!   You would be amazed at the variety of pets that have participated in this project.   I have commissioned over 1700 pieces to date and may have a doppelganger of YOUR pet.   Write me at ampage1@gmail.com.

Thee paintings are all approximately one foot square, are on recycled metal and help to support the art of hand-painting which is fast disappearing in Nepal.

The Danger Dogs make perfect holiday presents for the pet lover who collects art and wants to make a difference in these artists' lives.  

Micro-finance through art patronage.

Live from Kathmandu: The final post from Nepal

Solomon, or Solly is a wise old dog.   His portrait above is painted by Megh Raj, Ram Krishna and Amar Shrestha (clockwise from top left).   I'll bet he is not a Knucklehead!

This is Palden, a very handsome Lhasa Apso who lives in Nepal.   One of his tricks is to stand on his hind legs and furiously wave his front paws and give a Namaste.   These three portraits are by Megh Raj, ShaShi and Indra (clockwise from top left).   The portrait by Megh Raj is unavailable, but the second two are still available.   Anyone need a Lhasa Apso portrait for a Christmas gift?

Here is the world's first Danger Pig!   Miss Piggy, a Nepali pig, was rescued by an animal right's organization here and has been immortalized by Amar Shrestha, Sagar and Megh Raj (clockwise from top left).   The portrait by Sagar is still available if anyone has a porcine present in mind.

Dilip showed me a tiny black and white newspaper clipping of this attack Jack Russell, and asked if I wanted him to paint it.   Of course, I said yes, and this is the result.   The bunny is Mungo the rabbit painted by Hari Timesina.   I love Hari's work, and I have a lot of collectors who agree, but hardly anyone who orders a portrait will choose his art, as it is quite different.   Hence, I give him old photos of previous commissions, just to keep him busy and also because I am curious just how he will handle a photo.

On a more lighthearted note, these two puppies were born of a street dog here at the Boudhha Stupa.   They were two of six puppies who have now all been dispersed to happy homes.   My guess is that the mother has found a permanent home as well at the Saturday Cafe.  

Anyone looking for the perfect holiday gift for a pet lover who collects art and would like to make a difference, look no further!

I have many, many charming Danger Dog (Cats, Horses, Birds - and now a Pig!) for sale.    You can always send me a photo of your pet, and I will let you know if I have anything similar to your pet. 

Contact me at ampage1@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

 Check out my website at www.NepalDog.com.

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