Happy Bastille Day from French Danger Dogs
July 14, 2011
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.
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 [email protected] 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!
