Danger Dog Blog

Live from Pokhara, Nepal: Murals

Murals have been popping up all over Pokhara lately!

The back wall of the Jack Sparrow Restaurant on the Lakefront of Pokhara

 

The side view window from Jack Sparrow Restaurant.

A nice addition to an enticing pool.

Even small restaurants have begun using murals to cheer the place up.

This small cafe is livened up with a Coffee Katz.

Side roads get the mural treatment.

A boon for the artists of Pokhara.

Some murals are very simple.

These were done by Santosh Shrestha, when people still hired sign painters to advertise their business.  Alas, Santosh is now repairing and selling mobile phones.  

I have tried to hire Santosh, but he no longer has the paints or brushes.

More of Santosh's artwork from the 'olden days' circa 2006.

Here is an example of a Danger Cat portrait.  Your pet could be featured here!

Mr. Grace is a Norwegian Forest Cat and he is hand painted on metal by Megh Raj Thapa, Nara and Sagar Bitsa (clockwise from top left).

Please follow the Nepal Art Dogs page on Facebook.

Or you can follow the NepalDog.typepad.com feed.

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If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken, bunny, bearded dragon, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, now is the perfect time to order for holiday gifts.   I am in Nepal right now and ready to give your pet's photo to 3 different artists.

You choose the style, the color, what you would like the sign to say...

I am accepting order until Thanksgiving, November 28, 2019

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!

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:   https://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog

You will be happy you did!

Micro-finance through art patronage.    Trade not Aid.

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:   [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 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:   [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 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!

More from Artists in Nepal

Megh Raj Thapa is back in top form with his final portrait of the Black Cat Pachiko.

George the Briard, Abbey the Graceful Newfoundland look up to Pachiko while the cute puppy Scamper - a Norwich Terrier - peeks out from around the corner.  

Megh Raj's studio is just off a busy alleyway.   Note how nicely the ladies dress.   They love color and look good in it!

Sayuja is Sufraj Khadka's darling young daughter.   She is 6 years old and attends the Little Rose School.  

Went to an opening of an exhibit of Krishna Gopal Ranjit's art.   Ranjit is often called the 'Father of Commercial Art' here in Nepal.   Probably not coincidentally, he is also the father of Ashmina Ranjit, a fine artist in all senses of the word.   Held at the Fusion Studio at the Sagarmantha Bazaar on Mandala Street in Kathmandu's Thamel district, it was well attended.   The theme was Nature Rage and dealt with the environmental destruction happening in Nepal. That is the 80-year-old artist in green with his back to you.

Many mountains without their white caps of snow and tsunami images were included in this theme.

Then it was off for more art at the Lotus Gallery in Thamel.   Jim Aplington and his partner Santosh Gupta have walls of contemporary Tibetan Art and always have something interesting to see.   The painting on the stretcher low in the frame is by Tenzing Norbu Lama, a fantastic artist who was featured in the acclaimed film 'Caravan' (aka 'Himalaya') by Eric Valli.   Set in Dolpo, a far off (and far out) disctrict of Nepal, where Tenzing grew up, it should definitely be next on your NetFlix queue.

This painting is a particular favorite of mine as it includes Spider-Man.   That movie trilogy allows me to travel as I do and I truly appreciate Sam Raimi and his crew for letting me work on all 3 films.   If you need information on the art of Lotus Gallery, please go to their website at www.LotusGalleryNepal.com.  

Dan was out walking today and came across this lovely Nepali Rottweiler. 

This dog needs a better sign!   Like this one by Nara.   The Danger Dog portrait is of Moose, a particularly handsome Rotweiller.   It is still available at this time (June, 2011).

As you can see, this pre-printed beware of dog sign does not do that Nepali Rottweiler justice!

Alas, you will have to wait until next trip to order your very own Danger Dog portrait.   I leave in mid-October 2011 and will be back in plenty of time for holiday gifts.

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 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, 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.

ORDERS CLOSED FOR THIS TRIP ON JUNE 3, 2011.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.   Micro-finance through art patronage!

 

Hello from Dogmandu!

 

 

Live from Kathmandu: Brick by Brick

Flash Mob:   Apparently there has been a trend in Europe -- the Flash Mob,  which uses social media such as FaceBook and Twitter to notify large groups where and when to meet.   There it has been around so long as to be banned in many places.     That trend has arrived in Kathmandu.   Many of the Nepalis who attended this art installation were notified by Flash Mob and it works!   There was a huge turnout.

We went to see a one-day installation called 'Brick by Brick', chronicling through art, music, theater and performance the environmental degradation and social devastation caused by the brick factories that dot the Kathmandu Valley.

The marvelously and lovingly produced exhibit 'Brick by Brick' dazzled on many levels.   And because of the Flash Mob phenomena Jawalakhel was mobbed with Nepalis enjoying the art, music, snacks, and theatrical performances on a cloudy Saturday afternoon.

Many, many art and music lovers came out to see Achinto's fabulous photography and were stirred by his message.   If you can, expand Achinto's artist statement above to get an idea of the project in his own words.

A handsome, soft-spoken man, Achinto Bhadra (above) has an easy manner that obviously won over his subjects.   At first, every one of the workers at the kiln refused to allow their photos to be taken.    With his huge 8' by 20' gorgeous canvas backdrop that had to be assembled each morning and dismantled each evening, he perservered.   Day after day, the kiln workers refused.

Finally, slowly, one-at-a-time, the kiln laborers agreed.   Putting on their finery, spending precious water to groom their hair, they allowed Acinto to capture their portraits in front of his luminescent scrim.   

That scrim is the perfect backdrop to Achinto's bold compositions.   The affection and trust between subject and artist is evident.  When Achinto showed the digital prints to the kiln workers, there was a universal sigh of "Beautiful".

Achinto also featured a series of black and white photos that accentuate the dreariness of the kilns.  Their dusty bleakness offer a stark counter-point to the vibrant color portraits of the workers themselves.   For a full slideshow of all the portraits featured in 'Brick by Brick' link here:   http://www.brickclean.net/test/gallery/index.html

Acinto's work dealing with the plight of sex workers and modern-day slavery has been shown at Harvard University recently.

You can read a bit about the extent of the problem here.  The official website and information on how to help or contribute are at www.brickclean.net.

Many, many volunteers of all ages helped with the show.   These girls in their green volunteer tees are typical of the wide support that this project has received.   Long live flash mob!

The local Nepali music attracted a crowd. 

Later that evening, Karl Knapp, the French-American artist that has been such a boon to the Kathmandu performance arts, was featured.   Wish I had been able to see it.   Karl never disappoints.   And I wish you had been there too.   Another reason to visit my beloved Nepal:   fine art!

Please think of supporting the signboard artists of Nepal as well.

I am back in Nepal for the 9th Danger Dog trip and am accepting commissions now.   I'll be back to the states in early June, just in time for Father's Day presents.  

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 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, 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!