Danger Dog Blog

Live from Kathmandu: Lotus Gallery's new location

Lotus Gallery in the Thamel district of Nepal has relocated.   Lotus focuses on contemporary Tibetan and Nepali fine art and has been around a long time.

The new gallery is large and well lit

The new location is right around the corner, away from the old shop, right across from the Royal Penguin Boutique Hotel on the way to Chetripati.   But the people at the old location will explain the way...  Just a couple of minutes from the former location.

The Lotus Gallery

Owner Santosh Gupta has wonderful taste in artists and represents many different styles.

As in the former gallery, there is a comfortable seating area in back.

Norbu Tenzing Lama's art is also included in Santosh's roster of artists.   A popular artist in France and all over Europe, Tenzing's artwork was featured in the Oscar nominated move Himalaya (aka Caravan).

 

Details of where to find Lotus Gallery

Here is their card and a small map to help you find Lotus Gallery.

Stop by Lotus Gallery as they are the only ones in Thamel that specialize in Tibetan and Nepali Contemporary fine art.   You will be pleasantly surprised.  

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Want to immortalize your pet?   .,

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the March 2016 trip.  I will be back in June 2016.   Orders close for this trip on June 9th, 2016, but sooner is always better as we need time for the paint to dry!

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 $22 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!

Live from Kathmandu: Nepal Fashion Bloggers Bazaar

I came across this lively crowd of young Nepali fashionistas while walking through Boudha yesterday.  The Nepal Fashion Bloggers were holding their first Bazaar at the Hotel Harmika in Boudha.

Nepal Fashion Blogger Bazaar

Everyone was having fun trying on new clothes.   They all looked like sample size to me, but were lovely.

This long beaded sheath was particularly attractive.   It was made of a stretch material, but it was still too small for me.   The lady holding it up would have looked good in it though.

The Hotel Harmika played host to the event

Though it was drizzling, the band was doing a sound check, there were photos being taken... All were enjoying the day.

There was even a photo station for the models and designers.

There were bargain boxes and young women trying on new clothes.   There was a prize giveaway of 15,000 NR!

Since it was raining, things were a bit compact, but everyone made the most of it.

Looks like there were some press photographers there, too.

The grounds of the Hotel Harmika were nicely decorated, including Transaval Daisies (Gerberas) floating in the pond.

Even the bar area was full of racks of clothing.   

You never know what you will come upon while walking the streets of Kathmandu.   This was a nice change of pace.

 It is nice to know that Nepal has such a lively fashion blogging scene.   5 different bloggers opened their closets to this event.   I find that Nepalis (both genders) are well dressed in general and passionate about looking good.

You can follow the group on Facebook as Nepal Fashion Bloggers.

====================================================================================

Want to immortalize your pet?   .,

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the March 2016 trip.  I will be back in June 2016.   Orders close for this trip on June 9th, 2016, but sooner is always better as we need time for the paint to dry!

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 $22 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!

Live from Nepal: Signboards of Darbang

The artist Bishnu has populated the district capital of Myagdi, Darbang, with his lovely hand painted signs.

Beauty/Barber shop sign by Bishnu

This talented artist left for Saudi Arabia in 2007, soon after I hired Bishnu to hand paint a couple of Danger Dogs.   He got work there painting signs and now has opened an electronics store in busy Darbang.   He also augments his earnings by painting signs for the local shops.   

 

A barber shop sign hand painted on metal by Bishnu

This is the other side of the first barber shop sign

.   

Shoe sign by Bishnu side 1

This is what Nepal's sign boards looked like in the 80s and the 90s, before the start of flex (plastic pre-printed signage)...

 

Shoe sign side 2

  It was much more fun to walk the streets of Nepal when the signs were as interesting as these...

Camera shop sign board in Darband, by Bishnu

He is literally the only sign painter in town, and it is great that they have him back...

Folk art painting of Lali Gurans

The variety of signs is limitless.   The Lali Gurans is the national flower of Nepal.   We know them as Rhododendrons.  

Rainbow Thakali Restaurant signboard

We stay in an old friend's guest house while staying here, but this is typical of the signage for a guest house in Darbang.
 

 

Beer, Coke, Momos and Noodles

This sign highlights some of the delights available at this local mo mo stand.

Butcher shop sign featuring eggs and chickens

I wrote about Bishnu earlier on the Danger Dog Blog.   Here is more info on Bishnu and the town of Darbang.

Bishnu in 2007 about to leave for Saudi Arabia

Here is Bishnu in 2007, when I first met him.   He is holding his portrait of Yoko the French Bulldog (which was one of the portraits chosen - so not available).

Bishnu in 2016 in his electronics store

Bishnu is hard at work in the corner of his electronics shop hand painting.   He really enjoys painting, but makes good money at his shop.   This way he gets to do both.  It is very hard to make a good living in Nepal.

I have left Darbang so it is too late to hire Bishnu for a sign on this trip, but there are plen ty of great sign painters here in Nepal that would like nothing better than to paint your pet on metal.   Orders close on June 9, 2016, for this trip.

 

====================================================================================

Want to immortalize your pet?   .,

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the March 2016 trip.  I will be back in June 2016.   Orders close for this trip on June 9th, 2016, but sooner is always better as we need time for the paint to dry!

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 $22 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!

Live from Kathmandu: Siddhartha Art Gallery's latest exhibit

The Siddhartha Art Gallery currently is featuring the collection of Kamala Lama's antique portraits of the Nepali royal family from the 1920s.  The exhibit runs through June 13th, 2016 and Siddhartha Art Gallery has new hours and is open until 8pm.

Sangeeta Thapa and Shreejana Rana give the keynote address

Art exhibits in Kathmandu include a welcome speech explaining the art and a ribbon cutting.

Shreejana came across a portrait of her great-grandfather among the hand painted photographs in the exhibit.

Two very large examples of Kamala's collection

Kamala Lama began her collection 25 years ago by buying these beauties in the antique shops of Thamel, Lazimpat and other areas of Kathmandu.   Her family does not want them and she is de-accessioning to raise money for her Buddhist Gompa, the Shesh Narayan Gompa in Pharping.   Sangeeta Thapa's father was able to identify some of the people in these hand painted photographs.  Their costumes are fabulous and the ladies' make up reflect the styles of the period.

A smaller work of two lovely ladies

Smaller works are included and also a wonderful collection of furniture of the period, including chairs, tables and screens - some with their original tapestries.   It was difficult to identify many of the people in the photos, but even more so for the women in the photos.   

Hand tinted photographs from the Rana period

This exhibit runs through June 13th, 2016 and should not be missed.   It is at Babar Mahal Revisited, not far from Maitighar in Kathmandu.   Babar Mahal Revisited is worth a visit in any case, as it located in refurbished Rana Stables and features a lovely collection of shops and restaurants.

====================================================================================

Want to immortalize your pet?   .,

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the March 2016 trip.  I will be back in June 2016.   Orders close for this trip on June 9th, 2016, but sooner is always better as we need time for the paint to dry!

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 $22 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!

Live from Kathmandu: Beware of Dog art

In walking around Kathmandu and Pokhara, I come across fewer and fewer of my beloved Beware of Dog signs that inspired my fair trade art project...

A happy puppy hand painted on metal.

I think I know the artist on this one.   Sagar from Pokhara painted a similar one for me a couple of years back...

Sagar's portrait of a friend's puppy

Here is a commissioned piece I had done by the artist Sagar, in Pokhara!  Your dog's portrait can continue to live on here in Nepal, scaring off bad guys, though I doubt that the above dog is very scary!

A classic Beware of Dog sign from Pokhara

The Devenagari script (Nepali lettering) on this sign translates 'Kukur dehi hosiar' or dog is vicious.   They seem to alternate between hosiar (vicious) and sabadan (be careful).

A beware of dog sign in Naxal, a district of Kathmandu

These signs seem to have gone out of fashion.

A good use for a generic kennel club sign

Many of the great hand painted signs were replaced by this stenciled sign from the various kennel clubs in Kathmandu.

A very small beware of dog sign in New Baneshwor

These signs come in all sizes and conditions, depending on age and where they are situated.

Local Beware of Dog art from Pokhara

Most native beware of dog signs include a tongue.   This one has teeth, too!

====================================================================================

Want to immortalize your pet?   .,

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the March 2016 trip.  I will be back in June 2016.   Orders close for this trip on June 9th, 2016, but sooner is always better as we need time for the paint to dry!

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 $22 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!