Danger Dog Blog

Happy Bastille Day from French Danger Dogs

There are many French dogs that have been painted in Nepal by the signboard artists.

G.G. the Black Standard Poodle by Baba 2008 Available

G.G. is a very beautiful example of a Black Standard Poodle and Baba has done her justice with her dramatic green background and golden glow.

Lucy the White Standard Poodle by Hari Timisina  2008   Available

This portrait of Lucy I commissioned for myself.   While working on the film 'What Women Want' (in my former career as an Assistant Film Editor), Lucy was a constant delight in the cutting room.   A big white graceful dog, Lucy was well behaved and beautiful.   Her patience in allowing herself to be dressed up was amazing to me.    With the long hours needed to complete a film, she made the job easier.

Colette the black Standard Poodle by Krishna Ojna 2007 Available

This delightful portrait of Colette is on extremely heavy stock.   The artist, Krishna Ojna , is a co-founder and general secretary of the Nepal Commercial Art Association and also a professor of economics in Kathmandu.   When I was interviewed by a young 20-something Nepali reporter from the Kathmandu Post in November 2007 (prior to the first ever exhibit of Nepali signboard art in Kathmandu) she asked me why a professor would still paint beware of dog signs.   For money, of course!   Money is hard to find in Kathmandu.

George the Briard by Indra Lama 2011 Available

Briards are large French Sheepdogs,  Wikipedia calls them a 'heart wrapped in fur'.   Indra Lama had fun with George's wonderful black coat.   Indra, a fairly new artist for the Danger Dogs, did not understand that English and Nepali meant Nepali script (Devanagari script), hence you have now learned that 'dharma kukur' means Enlightened Dog.

Cash the French Bulldog by Aasha Arts 2007  Available

Aasha is definitely one of the more folk art examples.   The masculine Cash by Aasha reads 'Dog here Be Aware' in the devanagari script below this charming Danger Dog.

Papillion by Vinosh 2007 Available

This portrait of a Papillion was painted by Vinosh, an artist who has since moved to Saudi Arabia in order to make a better living.   I doubt he was hired as a sgnboard artist, and that is a shame. 

Annie and Pitzel by Amar Shrestha 2008 Available

Pitzel the Pomeranian dominates this portrait in the foreground, with Annie the Papillion in the background.   I believe that the red Nepali writing below is Amar's quite dramatic signature.

Chester the Basset Hound by Asha 2008 Available

Who knew that the Basset Hound originated in France.   This lovely portrait of Chester is dogmatique!

Nelson the Jacques Russell Terrier by Dilip Niroj  2011 Available

Nelson was a French Dog through and through.   Recently deceased, Nelson lived the good life in the center of Paris.  'Enlightenen Dog' indeed!

Hope all of my French friends are enjoying their day off!     Enjoy the Feu d'artifice!

You too can immortalize your pet on metal while helping to save a dying art.

These paintings are part of the Nepal Art Dog fair trade art project.   These talented signboard artists are losing work to digital graphic designers and rarely hand-paint signs now.  

HOW TO ORDER

To order your own pet as a Nepal Art Dog, 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 ampage1@gmail.com or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

ORDERS OPEN FOR NEXT TRIP (OCTOBER, 2011).   I'll be back in early December with your order.

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

 

Goodbye from Dogmandu!

 

 

 

Pick up at Sabala's

Above is Stella, the black and white Basset Hound, with Johnnie Walker Red (aka ChowBoy) as painted by Sabala.

Next is Sabala's version of the 4 labrador retreivers in the hatchback of a BMW.   This is a little larger than the normal one square foot and features the car less then the other two artists renditions.

Bat Boy the Mastiff certainly has an Enlightened look in this portrait by Sabala.   Look at those jowls!

Here we have a cornocopia of dogs by Sabala.

And Sabala's final version of Hanuman.   That is Shiva and Ram inside his chest.

I did take a new order today, but we are cutting it close!

Sorry for the poor quality of today's photos.  My camera is not taking good daylight photos.   Trying to fix it here is difficult as Kodak does not sell cameras in Nepal and parts are hard to come by.   Also, 4 different repair shops gave 4 different suppositions as to the problem.  And you would not believe the prices for a new one here!   The duty must be enormous.

More tomorrow.

Nepal Art Dogs from Sanjib Rana

Sanjib Rana is a hard-working artist.   He told me this trip that he enjoys painting at midnight!   Well, he did not waste the midnight oil in this latest series.

I was a little concerned that a 4-figure portrait would not work, that one or the other of the dogs would not be right.   Well, this one blew me out of the water.   Look at the loving detail given not only to the dogs, but to the BMW.

Next we have Layla by Sanjib.   The glow of the light on her fur, the twinkle in her eye....

The lovely Molly looks dapper with her scarf.    Dignified, too.

Chow Boy is in the pink on his checkerboard floor.   Turns out that Chow Boy is only a nickname.   His real name is Johnnie Walker Red.

Stella the Basset Hound (and companion to Johnnie Walker Red above) is also in the pink as painted by Sanjib.

I am proud to say that I have found steady work for Sanjib with a prominent hotel owner here in Kathmandu.  Nice hotels need artwork on the walls and Sanjib is providing that.   His speciality is birds and there are many bird watchers here in Nepal.

Please write to me at ampage1(at)gmail.com if you have any questions about the Nepal Art Dogs.    You can also visit my website at NepalDog.com to see more and learn about this fair trade art project from Nepal.

Stay tuned.   More artwork from Nepal's signboard artists tomorrow!

Palm Springs Desert Dogs!

If you are in Palm Springs for the month of June, please stop by and see the Danger Dogs in person at the Terry Martin Gallery.   Run by the fabulous Terry Martin, this gallery is also known at the Terrence Rogers Fine Arts Gallery.

 
Starting clockwise from top left, Zia the Black Danger Cat is by Shree Shrestha.   Beware of Cock by Sanjib Rana, followed by Chester the Basset Hound by Nara of Asha Arts.   The horse frolicking in the surf is also by Sanjib Rana.

 
Above is Sport (a Good Boy) by Ram Krishna of Kathmandu.   Also featured for the month of June is the artwork of Maria Dudley and Jason Kowalski.   The title of their show is "Palm Springs and Other Exotic Places".   The painting above is of the iconic Zuma Beach Food concession by Maria Dudley. 
Shree Shrestha of Pokhara painted this 'Dangers Dog' of Jasper the Weimaraner on his magic carpet.

 
From the same photo of Jasper as above, we have Arjun Karki's fine version of the Weimaraner.   Looks like Arjun put Jasper on the waves for his portrait.

 
Duke the Weimaraner by Hari Timsina was painted in November 2009.

 
A white Westie by Hari Prasad is at top left, while Chewy the Zen Yorkie is by Nara.   Please go to Terry's website for more information on Maria and Jason's art.

 
From left to right: a rescue dog by Yuba Raj Adhikari, Pinky the Enlightened Jack Russell Terrier by Jit Gurung of Munal Arts in Pokhara, Mick Jagger the English Bulldog by Sabala with his big grin.

 
Willow the Enlightened Golden Retreiver by Sagar of Surya Studios.   Sagar's signature is in Japanese.   

 
Also by Sagar, this portrait of Layla the white shepherd shows his marvelous sense of humor.   If you look closely, you will see what I mean.

 
Yoko the French Bulldog with her lovely jewelry and compelling eyes is also by Sagar.

 
Arrow is a Zen Black Lab who wears rhinestone necklaces.   This portrait is by Nara of Kathmandu.

 
This saintly White Labrador DangerDog is by Ram Krishna.   This was not a commissioned piece, but something Ram painted from the Everest Kennel Club calendar.   I could not help but buy it!

 
Out enjoying the open air is Brocco the Bulldog by Megh Raj.  

 
Hari Timsina painted this portrait of Grace the Pit Bull in November, 2009.   Hari is the first of my artists to date his pieces.

 
Jasper the Dashshund as painted by Manoj.   Manoj is my only Christian artist.  

 
This pug was painted by Jit Gurung of Munal Arts.   Jit's art reminds me of R. Crumb's style of art.

 
This little Boston Terrier is by Amar Shrestha.

All pieces are approximately 12" by 12" and are synthetic enamel on (sometimes recycled) metal.  They can be hung indoors or out. 

All art featured on today's blog is available through June, 2010,  at the Terry Martin Gallery at 664 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.   His phone is (760) 332-8732.   Call for hours or to make an appointment.  

I am heading off to Nepal for the 7th Danger Dog trip very soon, so custom orders should be placed soon.   Each commission generates 3 portraits of your pet by 3 struggling Nepali signboard artists.   You get 3 choices, 3 people get work.  Please remember that I take no deposit up front.   You pay only after choosing which portrait of your pet you prefer.  

For additional information, please contact me at ampage1@gmail.com, go to the NepalDog.com website, or see the Nepal Dog Channel on YouTube to buy an existing artwork.

Artists' Studios in Nepal

 

Above is Amar Shrestha's studio in Kathmandu, Nepal.   These are works in progress of Flick the Golden Retreiver, Moose the Rottweiller, Dexter the Coton de Tulear, Chester the Basset Hound, and Veera the Boston Terrier.

Flick and Dexter have been sold, but the others are available.   Amar's studio is on the second floor, he works in natural light, sitting on the floor.  That's a silk screening apparatus on the right bottom, where they make business cards the old fashioned way, on hand made Lokti paper.   Lokti paper, a specialty of Nepal, is also made the old fashioned way.

 
This studio is NK's and is located in Beni, a small but thriving town in the Myagdi province in Nepal.   The town supports at least 3 signboard painters.    Above is Jack the French Bulldog (looking like a pig dog), Gigi the puppy, Yoko the French Bulldog, and the last is another of Jack the French Bulldog.   The first two are still available.   NK finished the pieces with a dark blue background in the finished pieces.

 
Dilip Niroj at work on his Folk Art Obama commission in November of 2008.   The finished portrait was spectacular and sold immediately.

 
Here is Hari Prasad's work drying in the sun.    Many of these have been sold, the four portraits of the Great Dane's are in my personal collection, but the Collie and the Westie are available.

Hari's studio is in Kathmandu.

 
This is Lal Karki's Studio in Pokhara, a lakeside resort town in Nepal.   I liked this photo so much that it is the cover of my book 'Danger Dogs from Nepal Volume 2'.   I really like Lal's work, but his pieces have never sold, so the Dalmation, Fox-like Dog and the Spitz are all still available.

 
You can see how close Megh Raj works to the street in this one!   Megh Raj works in Kathmandu, and recently he redid his studio completely, so it was very spiffy the last time I saw it this past November.

 
Prem's studio in Pokhara no longer exists.   This studio was torn down and is now a bank.   The portrait of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Bearnese Mountain Dog and the Dalmation were all snapped up, but the Nepali dog, the Boxer and the Saint Bernard are still available.   I love the cow's hoof just outside the door.

 
Ram Mohan Patel's studio is a room off his house where he lives with his wife, two beautiful daughters and a son.

 
Sufraj Khadka cleans his brushes by painting anti-smoking graffiti on his walls.

 
This is the studio of Yuba Raj Adhikari of Pokhara.   These paintings are all portraits of rescue dogs.   I think all of the yellow dogs are still available, if they haven't sold yet at the Ghetto Gloss Gallery in Hollywood.   This group is a little larger than the standard size for these signboards at 12" by 15".   

 
Shree in his studio/home with a portrait of FloJo the Italian Greyhound on a couch.   Shree lives and works in this one room with his wife and 2 children.   The art on his walls always includes at least one Danger Dog.   The first time I met him, he had a painting of a 'beware of dog' sign on his wall.

The Nepal Art Dog project promotes the endangered art of Nepali signboards.   Signboards are painted on recycled metal, using synthetic enamel and are meant to hang outdoors.   Over 1400 portraits have been commissioned to date, giving these artists real work.   I have worked with over 58 artists.

On my last trip to Nepal, the Danger Dog commissions were the only art these artists were still hand painting -- all their other work was digital or printed on flex.   These artists can and will paint anything.  I decided to concentrate on pets as there was a tradition in Nepal already of 'beware of dog' placards and I knew that people would like them.

Each commission will be given to at least 3 signboard artists - giving 3 people work, the pet owner a choice and museum shops Nepali folk art.   No money is accepted up front.   If you don't like any of the 3 choices, you pay nothing.  

Please contact me at ampage1@gmail.com with any questions.

This project is for pet lovers who collect art and would like to make a difference in these artists' lives.

More information is available at NepalDog.com.