Happy Losar from the Danger Dogs
February 24, 2012
Losar is the Tibetan New Year, celebrated for a 15-day period. The first 3 days are especially festive. This year Losar starts on February 22, 2012.
Gubby the Pit Bull by Baba, 12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal, 2008, Available
Gubby the Pit Bull by Baba has lettering in Tibetan (along the right hand side of the painting), in Nepali (along the right hand side) and English (at the bottom!).
Losar is celebrated by Tibetan Buddhists worldwide as well as in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet.
Chuckie the Schnauzer by Shiva Thapa, 12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal, Available
Gambling, drinking and eating are a huge part of the fun.
Millie the Chocolate Lab by Shiva, 15"x15" synthetic enamel on metal, Available
The lettering on this sign is sure to make a Tibetan laugh. I had asked a learned monk at the Shechen Monastery how to write 'Beware of Dog' (Kidjee poo doo or Dog here is brilliant) in Tibetan and this is what I got.
What this translates to is: "Dog here is brilliant, is here, do you have dog?, have none."
Shiva does not speak or write Tibetan (or English for that matter) so he just copied what he saw.
Naive Hound by Khardar Gurung, 12"x12" synthetic enamel on metal, 2007, Available
Khardar Gurung does, however, know how to write in Tibetan script. He lives high in the Himalayas in the busy town of Jomsom, gateway to Mustang (altitude 2700 m or 8900 feet). These are on very lightweight metal, as most metal has to be carried up on mule, donkey or horseback. Indeed, the signs by Khardar were hand carried back down by yours truly.
Additional Danger Dogs that include Tibetan script can be found on my NepalDog.com website.
You can order a portrait of your own pet, be it a Pekingese or a Poodle, a Calico or a Siamese at through me at ampage1 @ gmail.com.
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.
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.
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......