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October 2015

September 2015

The Craft and Folk Art Museum: See the Dogs (+ 2 Cats) Live!

The Craft and Folk Art Museum (across from LACMA on the Miracle Mile) has 9 new Danger Dogs from Nepal in store.   Well, there are a couple of Cats and even a Horse, too!

Folk art beware of Terrier Mix hand painted on metal by a signboard artist in Nepal
Fiona the Rescue Dog by Indra Lama

Fiona the Terrier mix has a great punk hairdo and is hand painted on metal by the artist Indra Lama.   This is a classic "Beware of Dog" sign spelled in the traditional Nepali manner.

Folk art Beware of Cat hand painted on metal by a signboard artist in Kathmandu Nepal
Deek the Tabby Cat by Dilip Niroj

This adorable Tabby was sitting in her favorite box in the original photo taken by her human companion.   Dilip sets her free, but captures the intensity in her gaze and her pretty stripes.

Folk art Beware of Black Lab sign hand painted on metal in Nepal by a signboard artist
Smokey the Black Lab by Sagar Bitsa

Smokey the Black Lab is a perfect example of why one should love (and photograph) a black dog.   He shines in his portrait by Sagar.   This handsome dog was 13 when this photo was taken and his human is deployed in Afghanistan.   This was part of a surprise to the serviceman that loves Smokey.  He always said "Bless your Heart" to his beloved dog.   The portrait that they chose is the first one that went to Afghanistan!  (As far as I know.)

Folk art portrait of a Black Cat in a Boa hand painted on metal in Nepal by a signboard artist
Spartapuss the Black Cat by Sagar Bitsa

Obviously, Black Cats are lovely, too.   Spartapuss by Sagar is the last of her 3 portraits available.   She is sitting on her human's mail, as cats are known to do.   This is colorful and dramatic. as is Spartapuss.   SOLD.

Folk art Beware of White Shepherd hand painted on metal by a signboard artist in Kathmandu, Nepal
Dosie the White Shepherd by Sagar Bitsa

Dosie is another classic Danger Dog.  What could be more dramatic than a beautiful white dog set against a red circle along with a butter colored background and turquoise writing?   And a drop shadow on some of the lettering.  Sagar has been painting signs for a long time and his expertise shows.

Folk art French Bulldog hand painted on metal with a dramatic circle motif in the classic Nepali signboard style in Kathmandu
Aubert the French Bulldog by Sagar Bitsa

Aubert is another example of Sagar's work.   A pretty French Bulldog with a nice folk art treatment and that striking circle motif.

Folk art portrait of a Papillion hand painted on metal by a signboard artist in Kathmandu, Nepal
Mochi the Papillion by Dilip Niroj

Mochi in her wonderful portrait of a Papillion.   The artist, Dilip, really had fun with this one to good result.

Folk art portrait of a Labrador hand painted on metal by a signboard artist in Kathmandu, Nepal
Hester the Labrador by Megh Raj Thapa

Hester the White Labrador is apparently a very well-behaved dog from down under.   Megh Raj Thapa often paints his images on a small scale.   As you can see, Hester takes up only the lower quarter of the painting, but Megh Raj makes up for it with his fun graphics to balance out the portrait.    And please notice that Hester gets her scarlet letters!

Folk art White Horse hand painted on metal from an image on a playing card.   From Nepal.
White horse by Shahi

I was searching for an image to round out my horse portraits and found a playing card on the ground in Nepal.   I gave that card to the artist Shahi and this is the pleasant result.  SOLD.

Folk art beware of dog signs hand painted on metal by signboard artists in Nepal.
Danger Dogs on display at the Craft and Folk Art Museum

That is what is in store!   Go to cafam.org for directions, current exhibits and hours.

Also, you can go to the Nepal Dog Channel at YouTube to see other available paintings of dogs on metal.   The Nepali signboard industry with its charming hand-painted signboards is fast disappearing in favor of mass-produced computer-generated signage.   

The huge earthquakes of April and May, 2015, have made their future even more precarious.  I will do my best to keep these artists working, but I can't do it alone.   

How to commission YOUR pet's portrait on metal:

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the October 2015 trip.   

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:   [email protected]  
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 and insurance is around $20 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!