Danger Dog Blog

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.

 

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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!

 

 

 

Live from Nepal: a studio visit with Jit Gurung

 

Jit Gurung and his assistant peruse the 'Sign Painter' book

 

I first hired Jit in June, 2007, on my first Nepal Art Dog trip.   He is a fine illustrator and asked last trip for me to bring some quality magic markers, so I brought some calligraphic Sharpies and other art pens.   He immediately tried them with a big smile.

Jasper the Dachshund by Jit Gurung

Jasper is one of my favorite portraits of a Danger Dog of all time.   Jit never fails to surprise me.

You can see more of Jit's work and what is currently available at:   Jit Gurung's available art

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

You can order your own portrait of your own dog and help to support the sign painters of Nepal whose work is disappearing.

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

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2014 trip.  I will be back in June 2014.

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 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!

Live from Nepal: Studio visit with Shahi

 

Shahi with his paintings to be sold in gift shops.

 

 

The artist Shahi has begun this season's Nepal Art Dogs.   I have been hiring Shahi since my first Danger Dog trip in June, 2007.   He has moved studios, and I had a hard time finding him, but am glad to see that he now has a thriving business painting Nepal mountain scenes for the local stores.

 

Shahi looking through the book 'Sign Painters' by Faythe Levine & sam Macon

 

Mural by Shahi

 I came across this mural by Shahi the other day.   

Shahi has painted some fine dogs and cats (and horses, too) over the years.

Shahi in 2007 with his first Nepal Art Dog portraits

Shahi immediately impressed me with his portraits of a greyhound, a cat and a horse in 2007.

See more of what Shahi has in store on NepalDog.com:  Shahi on NepalDog.com.

Stay tuned to see what Shahi will come up with this trip!

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

You can order your own portrait of your own dog and help to support the sign painters of Nepal whose work is disappearing.

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

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2014 trip.  I will be back in June 2014.

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 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!

 

Live from Nepal: A New Artist in Pokhara

Sagar is a new artist for the Nepal Art Dog project and I am excited to see what he will come up with.

Sagar's Studio in Pokhara

 Sagar's studio is in an old building just directly across the street from the artist Jit Gurung.

Sagar with the plate he will use for his Nepal Art Dog

 Sagar had a small plate to use as his Danger Dog artwork, and it sounds like his art will be in the traditional style.   You can see that he had already put this piece of metal aside for a Nepali Beware of Dog sign.

Sagar at work

Sagar was hard at work hand painting a Gurkha Association poster on metal.   I look forward to seeing his Danger Dog tomorrow.

First final from Sagar in Pokhara

You can imagine how pleased I was to get Sagar's first final!   This charming pup makes a great start.   Sagar will get more orders from me!

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

You can order your own portrait of your own dog and help to support the sign painters of Nepal whose work is disappearing.

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

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2014 trip.  I will be back in June 2014.

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 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!