Live from Nepal: Works in progress

I haven't been here in Pokhara for long, but I have already seen some great new Danger Dogs.

Jasper is a darling Cockapoo and this is the first completed portrait on this trip.   This was hand painted on metal by Jit Gurung and is done early due to a birthday deadline.

I think he was on the right track.  

Dog in glasses

CJ is a wise Australian Shepherd who obviously cracked up the artists.   This is the first work in progress of this cool dog by Shahi.   I have only recently reconnected with Shahi.   He was one of my first artists in 2007 when I started the project and I am glad to have found him again.

Meanwhile I stopped by Shree Lamachhain's old studio and said hello to his 16-year-old son.   I am going to buy the last of their 'Beware of Dog' signs to help out the family while Shree is in South Korea.   He has one more year left on his contract and then (hopefully) will return to signboard art, having saved a nest egg that his family can use to get ahead.

This portrait is one that Shree painted is of a black Labrador named Layla.   He painted it as a spec painting in case a Nepali came in and needed a Danger Dog sign.   Layla was commissioned way back in 2008.  

Shree also painted a spec portrait of Ernie theSchnoodle.   The original portrait of Ernie was Nepali only as per the request of Ernie's dad.

I wrote a post about Shree and his family and their situation in depth in June, 2011, here.  

I know that they miss Shree very much, but this is a sacrifice that too many have to make here in Nepal.  Over 26% of Nepal's Gross National Product is remittance money sent to families from Nepalis who have migrated to the Middle East and South Korea to earn a better living.

Now Shree's son Anup is a young man that studies hard, runs the store when his mother is out and is almost as tall as I am.   With a moustache!

There are a (very) few new Danger Dog signs that I have found here in Pokhara.   This one is classic.

This one has seen better days.   To be fair, someone has been scratching out those eyes and that nose.

This one was made by the young person of the household - just a wild guess.   Is there a Danger Rabbit behind this formidable gate?   Still, it has its charms.   But they could have used a signboard artist!

In honor of CJ that wise and patient dog near the top of this post, I am including Mr. Itchy Stichy's portrait dressed as a pirate.   This pirate dog is a Labrador Whippet mix (portraits by Nara, Hari Timesina and Sagar Bista, clockwise from top left).   This is what you can expect when you order your very own Danger Dogs from Nepal.  

How to commission YOUR pet's portrait on metal:

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   I am in Nepal right now giving photos to the artists.

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.

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

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

4. Tell me your pet's name and breed.   

5. Send your photo to me at:   ampage1@gmail.com  
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!

 

The cost is $250 plus shipping.   Shipping is around $18 per sign (to and from the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.  
Pay after choosing your portrait.  
Multiple pets on one sign cost more ($325 for Double, $400 for Triple).

 

Let's keep these artists painting.

 

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!