Danger Dog Blog

Works in progress by Shahi Arts

Zora the Border Collie mix by Shahi

 Zora in the study by Shahi.   She is a Border Collie mix and enlightened to boot.   She is still missing the Nepali script.   Shahi uses acrylic paint instead of the more common enamel.

Shahi's Daughter with Breakfast the black dog

Breakfast is a black dog with a mission.   The ball is missing in this portrait, but will be added later, along with Nepali script.  

Shahi's daughter, born in 2008, was minding the store and studying, and said: "You must be an old customer."  I was glad to hear her clear English and business-like attitude.  She was very helpful.  Shahi had not written the Nepali lettering and had neglected to sign his art.  Unfortunately, he had a family emergency outside of town and was unable to correct these things.  But it can be fixed, except for the signature.

Shahi

 Shahi works in the Lakeside District of Pokhara, Nepal's 2nd largest city.  I first met him in 2008, when signboards were still popular and his specialities seemed to be fish, yetis and various plates of food.  Since the decline of hand painted advertising he has turned to landscapes of Nepal for the tourist trade.   

A dog owner himself, Shahi welcomed a chance to regain his dog portraiture acumen.   

Shahi's artist studio in Lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal

I am glad that Shahi and other artists were able to hold on in Covid times.   Every  time I see him, he has 3 easels in progress.   

Life seems almost back to normal here in Nepal.   Most schoolchildren are masked and there is rampant inflation here as in much of the world.  The government as raised petrol prices 3 times since the beginning of 2022.   Still, few complain and life goes on.

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Please stay tuned for more works in progress and finals to come! If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken, bunny, bearded dragon, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, it is not too late.   

DEADLINE for orders:  April 22, 2022.

I will be back in the US in early May, in time for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.

You choose the style, the color, what you would like the sign to say... You can also check out NepalDog.com, as I have over 72 breeds of dog (and counting) and many cats.

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 ampage1@gmail.com or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting. American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

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: Finals from Dilip

 

It is forever a pleasure to pick up art from Dilip's studio.   His stair is covered with charming, bright and colorful art.  He dries them, and passersby stop to admire and comment on them.

Spyder the Italian Greyhound pup has the best whiskers in her portrait by Dilip.  One side they are white, the other side black.  This is a fun portrait.

This portrait of Shadow, an Australian Shepherd, is almost done.  Dilip had painted Shadow's lovely blue eye brown, and then I pointed out that Shadow's left eye is blue.  Then he painted it bright blue!   So this is almost finished, but he will paint Shadow's eye correctly as the lovely light sky blue that it is.

Huxley is an adorable Cattle Dog Collie mix, here is his first completed portrait.   Huxley's Dog-ma has requested that he be painted in a circle, a traditional form of sign painting.

Rhonda looks comfortable in her chair.    A tall wiry Terrier mix, Dilip has captured her soulful gaze.

Miffy the Rottweiller and Labrador mix has lived all over the world from Cairo to Delhi to Ohio.   She looks great here immortalized by Dilip.

You may have noticed Conan the Belgian Malinois on the news lately.  He was named after Conan O'Brien for his shaggy hair.   He is part of the special forces.  His 3 portraits will be donated to auctions for charities that help veterans.

Miro and Putti are a pair of Jack Russell Terriers, and this is their first final.  Dilip was supposed to paint the lettering orange, so I will be taking it back to him to adjust the yellow lettering.

Oscar the Shaggy Dog got relocated to the woods by Dilip.   He looks very contented.

Mato the German Shepherd is looking good.   I had Dilip adjust his pupils giving him an eye light, which worked very well.   

Alvin the Yorkshire Terrier has been given a dramatic backing to show off his big smile.

Dilip was commissioned to paint some signs warning that you are on camera for a friend's home, and Dilip added some lettering to a portrait of a Nepali dog on Kukur Tihar (aka Nepal's Day of the Dog).
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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 ampage1@gmail.com 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: First Works in Progress from Dilip

Live from Kathmandu!   Dilip Niroj, a favorite artist of mine, was almost ready, but the signs were still wet!

So I got to see his works in progress on his phone.   And they are looking good.   Mato the German Shepherd (aka Alsatian) dog is almost finished, still awaiting final details and the lettering.   

Rhonda, a Wire-Haired Terrier mix looks comfy on a beautiful chair.   I can't wait to see these in person.

Spyder, a lovely Italian Greyhound puppy beside a portrait of Mato, the German Shepherd.

Miro and Putti, a pair of Jack Russell Terriers, are waiting for orange lettering announcing to the world that they are Danger Dogs extrordinaire.

Oscar, the Shaggy Dog, with his colorful background.   I like the palette in the foreground and wonder how Dilip hurt his finger...

More photos from Dilip's phone camera.   Again, can't wait!

Spyder, the Italian Greyhound, is such a pretty girl.   I love the light in her eyes.

Dilip's wife is helping other customers against the backdrop of the frames they sell.  The top level of art are hand-painted oils by Dilip.

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 ampage1@gmail.com 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 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

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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.

 

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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!

Danger Dog Blog: Good News

I first met Bishnu KC in 2007, in Darbang, on the very 2nd Nepal Art Dog trip (I have now finished #16!).

Yoko the French Bulldog as a work in progress

Above is Bishnu KC in June, 2007.   He was on his way to Saudi Arabia the very next day, but as the town sign painter, he was happy to paint a few last minute signs.

Bishnu's two signs in my hotel room window

Bishnu did a nice job with Gemma, the Pit Bull and Yoko, the French Bulldog.

Yoko's owner chose Bishnu's portrait.   Gemma is available.  To see Gemma's portrait up close, go to the Pit Bull page on NepalDog.com.

Gemma's sign is signed "Bishnu KC, Darbang, Myagdi, Dhalighiri".

Folk art Tailor sign hand painted by Bishnu

In 2014 I returned to Darbang, district capital of Myagdi, high in the Himalayas and saw this wonderful traditional sign hand painted on metal.   I asked about the artist and was pleased when they brought me to Bishnu.

Bishnu KC in May, 2014

It turns out that Bishnu KC was a great success in his years in Saudi Arabia.   His nest egg went to this electronics store he now runs!   He was hired as a sign painter in Saudi Arabia and so kept up his skills.   Bishnu showed me tubes of oil paints that he uses to paint on canvas in his spare time.

Bishnu's store has everything from huge speakers to mobile phones.   He seems very happy and happy to be back in Nepal.   He says he was treated well in Saudi Arabia.

 Last December, the Nepal Art Dogs were part of an exhibit that featured works of the artists that I had hired that 'went out' to another country.   I am pleased to see that it worked out well for Bishnu KC.

Gulf Labor exhibit at Southwestern College in San Diego

This exhibit consists of artists I have hired that have 'gone out' to other countries to work rather than to stay in Nepal with their families.   They can make more money as day laborers, farm workers, department store stockers or, in Bishnu's case, as a painter.

I am happy that it worked out for Binosh KC.

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Want to immortalize your pet and help sign painters in Nepal?

You can order your own portrait of your own pet, hand painted on metal and help to support the sign painters of Nepal whose work is disappearing.

I will be returning later this year in plenty of time to deliver for holiday orders.   I expect to be in Nepal in late October, 2014, returning in early December.

Be ahead of the pack and order today!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.   Large format photos work best.

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 the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.   For overseas orders, I find the least expensive method of shipping.
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!