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June 2012

Danger Dogs in Cambridge - Part 2

The Danger Dogs continue to take over Porter Square at Nomad!

Sasha.GermanShepherd.Sufraj
Sasha the German Shepherd by Sufraj Khadka, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", available at Nomad.

Sasha is a beautiful example of an Enlightened Dog by Sufraj Khadka.   Sufraj' distinctive style with its drop shadow calligraphy and gradation of background color makes a nice foil for his dogged glow and pretty border treatment.

Dachshund by Sufraj
Bailey the Dachshund by Sufraj Khadka, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", available at Nomad.

Sufraj really pulled out all the stops on this one: green background, red collar, blue border, pink writing, brown dog.  It all works to delight the eye.

Boxer.Nara
Siggy the Boxer by Nara of Asha Arts, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", Available at Nomad.

Nara is what I would call a 'Dog's Dog' painter.   His beautiful portraits are technically in perfect proportion.   Notice the fine detail on the chain collar and Siggy's eyes, nose and ears really pop against Nara's dark blue baked on enamel background.

PeachPomeranian.Nara__43
King the Pomeranian by Nara, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", SOLD at Nomad.

Also by Nara, we have this fine painting of a handsome peach colored Pomeranian named King.   King's owner requested English only on her signs, and the irony of such a little dog being dangerous is evident.

Shepherd.Freddie.Sabala
Freddy the shepherd mix by Baba, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", Available at Nomad.

The master painter Baba is in fine form with Freddy the Danger Dog.   Baba has a good color sense with his dramatic yellow and red writing across the bottom and his white against navy blue Nepali script on the side. 

HaloShepherdBaba
Halo the German Shepherd by Baba, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", Available at Nomad.

Baba again delivered a lovely rendering of Halo the Alsatian.   Realistic in detail and vibrant in coloring, this one stands out as a Good Dog should.

Megh Raj Ginger Cat Tony
Tony the Tiger Cat by Megh Raj Thapa, synthetic enamel on metal approx 12"x12", SOLD at Nomad.

This is a sweet portrait of Tony the Tiger Cat by Megh Raj Thapa.   Soft and lovingly painted, Megh Raj really brings out the stripes.

As you can see, every Danger Dog tells a story.

More of the Danger Dog treasures that you can find at Nomad in Cambridge will be featured in a later blog.   Stay tuned.

To see the Dogs in person, here is their website:   www.NomadCambridge.com   Tell them Michelle sent you!

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

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

 

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 3 paintings and three artists 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.

While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.

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 [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

Hello from Dogmandu!

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

You will be happy you did!

 


See the Dogs Live in Boston! Part 1

East coast 'Friends of the Danger Dogs' will be happy to hear of a new location on Mass Avenue near Porter Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.   The fabulous store Nomad will be featuring 31, count 'em 31, new Danger Dogs (and a few Cats).

ShibaInu.Yuki.Sufraj_2
Yuki the Shiba Inu by Sufraj Khadka, synthetic enamel on metal 12"x10" Available at Nomad.

Yuki the Shiba Inu is returning closer to his digs.   Yuki lives in upstate New York and Sufraj's portrait certainly brings out Yuki's intense gaze.   Sufraj Khadka is one of my best calligraphers as well.   Unlike many signboard artists, Sufraj chose to become a painter rather than follow in his father's footsteps.  

Suf is an ardent anti-smoking advocate.  One thing that many Nepalese signboard artists have in common is an aversity to waste.   So Sufraj cleans his brushes by painting anti-tobacco slogans on his studio walls.

 

BostonTerrier by Sagar
Ike the Boston Terrier by Sagar, synthetic enamel on metal, approx 12"x12" Available at Nomad.

What could be more appropriate for the Boston area than this portrait of Ike the Boston Terrier by Sagar.   I once came back to reorder fresh Danger Dogs, when I saw this painting that Sagar did on spec, hoping that I would buy it.   That is why there is no wording on this signboard as Sagar did not know whether to add 'Danger Dog' or 'Zen Dog' etc.   Of course, I could not resist buying Ike.   I like Ike.

Sagar teaches painting to Japanese art students visiting Kathmandu.   That is where he learned to sign his name in Japanese Kanji.   In the landlocked country of Nepal, Sagar's parents named him after the ocean and his signature translates as 'Ocean' in Japanese script.

Westie.HariP
Westie by Hari Prasad, synthetic enamel on metal, approx 12"x12" Available at Nomad.

I saw this adorable West Highland Terrier on my street and ran outside to photograph him.   This portrait of the 'Unknown Westie' is by Hari Prasad of Kathmandu.   Hari has been with the Danger Dog fair trade art project since the first trip and his work is among my favorites for its uban quality.  

Hari Prasad and I first connected through a third party studio who basically brokered out the work and took a commission for his trouble.   I now work directly with the artists and have cut out the middleman, who has moved on to another business in any case.   I am still eternally grateful to Surya for his introducing me to what I consider to be among the finest signboard artists in Kathmandu.

CalicoCat.Lucy
Lucy the Tabby by Baba, synthetic enamel on metal, approx 12"x12" SOLD at Nomad.

Lucy the aggressively affectionate cat is by Baba, who self-proclaims that he is "the elephant of artists - all others are horses!"    He is not really wrong, and when he paints on the sidewalk, he is sure to draw a crowd of on-lookers who marvel at his expertise and style.

Baba is the only artist with the Danger Dog project that is from India.   He is from Tamil Nadu in Southern India.   When the tsunami hit, Baba lost his wife, a child and his livelihood as a Bollywood movie graphic designer.   Baba remembers when he had a crew of 40 artists working on Bollywood posters.   

In the 1970's and 80's, Nepal, India, Burma and Thailand were filled with movie theatres with long canvas banners with scenes from the film, hand painted for each theatre.    Baba painted these signs.  

SanjibCharley Elkhound

Charley the Elkhound by Sanjib Rana, acrylic on metal, approx 12"x12" Available at Nomad.

Charley the Elkhound is painted by Sanjib Rana using acrylic paint on new galvanized steel.    Sanjib is the only artist I have worked with who is not a signboard painter per se.   He came highly recommended by a long time Kathmanduer (or is that Kathmanduee?).   Sanjib had painted murals on gates, dining areas and bathrooms in my friend's home.   Sanjib had never painted on metal before he joined the Danger Dog project and his acryllic paintings cannot be mounted outside as they are not painted with the synthetic enamel that the other artists use.

Sanjib is not comfortable with calligraphy, so the added drama of the Zen Dog above was designed by Birju Chaudhury.   The Nepali (Devengari) script reads 'Dharma Kukur' or religious dog.

  KarmaShitzuMeghRaj

Karma the Shitzu by Megh Raj Thapa, synthetic enamel on metal, approx 12"x12" SOLD at Nomad.

Karma the Shitzu truly looks Enlightened with her adoring gaze.   Megh Raj Thapa is great with color and with the typical Nepali signboard flair, he combines color in a fresh and non-Western way.   But the outcome is pleasing all the same.

Megh Raj has taught his only son, Onup, to run the business and bring it into the 21st Century.   Onup knows his way around Photoshop and, with the help of a Nepali/English dictionary does the translations for some of my more esoteric customer's requests.   ie:  'Don't be fooled' or 'Hussy'.

GigglesTuxedoCatMeghRaj
Giggles the Black Cat by Megh Raj, synthetic enamel on metal, approx 12"x12" sold at Nomad.

But Megh Raj can paint.   Here is Megh Raj's portrait of Giggles the Tuxedo Cat.   The golden glow fades to peach and spotlights Giggles' green eyes.

ShuShu.Yorkie.Amar
Yorkie by Amar Shrestha, synthetic enamel on recycled metal, approx 12"x12" Available at Nomad.

When I spoke before of odd requests for lettering, this one generated a lot of chuckles from the artists when I tried to find the Nepali equivalent with my less than stellar Nepali.    How does one say 'Hussy' in the Nepalese Language?

This portrait of Shu Shu the Yorkshire Terrier by Amar is painted on recycled metal.   If you look at the actual painting, you can see (and feel) the texture from the earlier signboard.  

As you can see, every Danger Dog tells a story.

More of the Danger Dog treasures that you can find at Nomad in Cambridge will be featured in a later blog.   Stay tuned.

To see the Dogs in person, here is their website:   www.NomadCambridge.com   Tell them Michelle sent you!

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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.

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

 

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 3 paintings and three artists 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 [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

Hello from Dogmandu!

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

You will be happy you did!

 


Catahoula Leopard Dogs in Nepal

Catahoula Leopard Dogs are a particular favorite of mine.

Daddy the Catahoula Leopard Dog
Daddy the Catahoula Leopard by Chandra Chaudhury, Synthetic enamel on metal Available

This portrait of Daddy the Catahoula is by Chandra, one of my more naive artists.   Chandra concentrated his efforts on Daddy's intent gaze.   Daddy's Swiss Cow collar is also prominently featured.  

Hand painted Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Cur by Arjun Karki, synthetic enamel on metal.  This portrait of Daddy has recently sold, but check here to see what else is currently Available.

Arjun Karki painted Daddy as a masked marauder.   In fact I call this one 'Lucha Daddy' after the famous masked Mexican wrestlers.   It is very different in style from the first portrait of Daddy by Chandra above.  Yet I consider these two artists to be in my naive outsider art category.  

Folk art Catahoula leopard Dog
Catahoula Dog by Ramesh, synthetic enamel on metal, Available

Another naive portrait of the lovely Daddy, this time by Ramesh of Om Art.   Om spent some time on the collar, but forgot the proportion between Daddy's two different colored eyes.   I have never been sure of what that is on Daddy's back.

Folk art painting of Catahoula Leopard Dog from Nepal
Daddy by Baba, Synthetic enamel on metal 12"x12"   Available

This portrait of Daddy by Baba again captures Daddy's concentrated gaze and beautiful markings.

Folk Art Catahoula leopard Dog hand painted in Nepal
Emma the Catahoula by Hari Prasad, synthetic enamel on metal, available

This is the only portrait of Emma still available.   Emma's original photo was of the Catahoula Leopard Cur frolicking in the snow.   Hari Prasad turned the pristine Colorado snow into a tar pit!   Or is it a vinyl record?   Like most of the Nepali signboard artists, Hari P includes the dogs' jewelry - a black collar and red dogtag.

Daddy the Catahoula Leopard Dog Dancing
Here I am cavorting with my personal favorite Catahoula, Daddy, in the parking lot of Bergamot Station.   Barbara Pokras was the photographer and I thank her. 

Catahoula's are the State Dog of Louisianna and are considered one of the oldest breeds in North America.   Recent archelogical digs in Bienville Parish, Louisianna have found evidence of dogs being buried alongside their native Indian co-hunters as early at 5000BC.    There is no evidence that these ancient dogs were Catahoulas, but it proves that dogs hunted and were part of the family for millenia. You can find a treasure trove of information about the Catahoula breed at CatahoulaLeopard.com.

Catahoula's are a fascinating breed all around.   They can climb trees!

You can buy any of these portraits of Catahoulas featured on today's Danger Dog Blog, as well as many other breeds of dog and cat at NepalDog.com.

If you would like to commission a portrait of your own pet, please contact me at ampage1 @gmail.com.   The price is $250 for a choice of three portraits of one pet. 

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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 Summer 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 [email protected]

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

Let's keep these artists painting.

 

 

 


Drew Barrymore in Nepal

Drew Barrymore got married this weekend and it reminded me of a sign I came across in Nepal.

IMG_4435
Here is Drew Barrymore with her photo co-opted for a 'Teen Age Club with Shower' in the Thamel district of Kathmandu.  While Drew looks great up there, she surely would not patronize the shower club.   Nepali girls, spectacular looking as they are, look nothing like Drew Barrymore.

Nepali clubs and beauty shops often 'borrow' images of celebrities - as a matter of fact, I know where Drew buys her electronics in Kathmandu as well.  

And just above the Creation Hemp Shop, no less.  Looks like the Creation Electrician to me - or is it the Creative Electrician?

For more funny photos of movie stars on signboards in Nepal, please go to my previous Oscar themed post.   Everyone from Nicole Kidman to Princess Di is included.

We wish Drew and her new husband the best happiness in their marriage.  

Sanjib Rana Lab Barney
'Barney at the Wedding' by Sanjib Rana, Acrylic on metal  15"x12" available

Drew is a huge fan of dogs.   In 2001, she was saved from the flames in her San Francisco home by her dog, Flossie, who barked and wakened the household.   More on that here.   Flossie has since died but Drew has adopted more rescue dogs since, including a pup early this year with her then fiance and now husband, Will Kopelman.  

Barney, above, looks a bit like Flossie to me.  Barney's photo was taken at his walker's wedding, hence his beautiful corsage.  

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The Nepal Art Dog project aims to stem the trend in Nepal to replace these hand-painted signboards (like Barney's) with plastic pre-printed signage.   

You can help support the signboard artists of Nepal:

Nepal Art Dogs are hand-painted enamel portraits of pets on recycled metal, approximately 1 foot square.   Made in Nepal by 58 different artists’ studios.

This is a Fair Trade Art project that promotes the endangered signboard artists of Nepal.

For pet lovers who collect art and would like to make a difference.

Commissions available starting at $250 

 Send your Pet’s photo – get 3 choices from 3 different artists – pick your favorite.

More information and how to order at www.NepalDog.com