Chihuahua Feed

Live from Kathmandu: Megh Raj Thapa's finals

Folk art portrait of a white Boxer dog hand painted on metal in Nepal
Jasmine the Boxer

Jasmine the White Boxer by Megh Raj Thapa.

Folk art portrait of a Boxer Dog hand painted on metal in Nepal
Henry the Boxer

Henry the Boxer hand painted on metal by Megh Raj.

Folk art beware of dog art hand painted on metal in nepal
Two Shih Tzu Dogs and their Shepherd friend

Tater Tot, Minnie and Maggie by Megh Raj Thapa.

Folk art portrait of a rescue dog hand painted in Nepal
Rupert by Megh Raj Thapa

Rupert by Megh Raj Thapa.

Folk art portrait of a Chihuahua Papillion Dog hand painted on metal in Nepal
Mavis by Megh Raj Thapa

Mavis the Chihuahua and Papillion dog by megh Raj.

Folk art portrait of a German Shepherd hand painted on metal in Nepal
Tattoo the German Shepherd by Megh Raj

Tattoo the German Shepherd by megh Raj.

Folk art portrait of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever hand painted on metal in Nepal
Grizz by Megh Raj Thapa

Grizz the Chesapeake Bay Retriever by Megh Raj.

 

Folk art beware of Cat sign hand painted on metal in Nepal
Khilisi the Tabby Cat by Megh Raj Thapa



Khilisi the Tabby Cat by Megh Raj Thapa.

Folk art portrait of a Pit bull hand painted on metal in Nepal
Birdy by Megh Raj Thapa

Birdy the American Staffordshire Terrier by Megh Raj Thapa.

Folk art portrait of a Foxhound and a Beagle hand painted on metal in the Thanka style in Nepal
Chester and Cooper by Megh Raj Thapa

Chester the Foxhound and Cooper the Beagle thanka style by Megh Raj.




 

 

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Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders have closed for this trip.   Next trip is scheduled for October 15, 2017, and I will be back in plenty of time to mail your holiday orders.

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 $20 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!


Ay Chihuahua!

This latest trip to Nepal, the second of the year 2015, was especially popular with Chihuahuas!

Folk art Chihuahua hand painted on metal in Nepal
Scully the Golden Chihuahua

 Scully is a particularly bright and beautiful Chihuahua with her big eyes and ears and golden fur.  Her three choices are by Sanjib, Sagar and Nara (clockwise from top left).   Sanjib Rana's portrait is the one chosen.

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua hand painted on metal by a sign painter in Nepal
Pappoo the Chihuahua

Pappoo is a very well dressed girl Chihuahua and two of her favorite outfits are here.  By Dilip, Megh Raj and Indra, someone has a hard choice ahead.

 

Folk art portraits of a pair of Chihuahuas hand painted on metal in Nepal
Gandalf and Maggie the Chihuahuas

Maggie and Gandalf are a pair of Chihuahua friends, here painted by Jit Gurung, Nara and Sagar (clockwise from top left).

 

Folk art Chihuahua hand painted on metal by a sign painter in Nepal
Ellis the Chihuahua

Ellis had an extra special trip.  He was painted by Shahi, Megh Raj and Sagar (clockwise from top left).   Ellis' mom chose the bottom portrait by Sagar for him.

Folk art Chihuahuas hand painted on metal in Nepal
Ellis and Toro the Chihuahuas

Ellis' friend Toro is also featured in this set of portraits by Jit Gurung, Megh Raj and Dilip (clockwise from top left).   The two of them looked so great together, that only the one by Jit Gurung is still available.

Folk art Chihuahua and Dogue de Bordeaux hand painted on metal in Kathmandu
Ellis and Daisy the Dogue de Bordeaux

Toro isn't Ellis' only friend.  He and Daisy make a striking pair in their portraits by Dilip, Shahi and Jit Gurung (clockwise from top left).  The juxtaposition of the very large Daisy, a Dogue de Bordeaux, and the small but feisty Ellis make a charming tableaux.

It was a great trip for Chihuahuas.   Here is wishing you and yours a very happy new 2016 from the Danger Dogs. 

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I am no longer in Nepal and this trip has been closed to new orders.   You can order in spring, 2016, and immortalize your pet. 

Want something by the holidays?   Go to NepalDog.com.   There are over 72 breeds of dogs and counting...  And lovely Cats, birds and other animals, too.

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.

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 $18 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!


Anatomy of a Danger Dog: Matilda the Chihuahua

It is always fun to see a Danger Dog go from line drawing to a completed portrait.

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal in Nepal
Matilda in an early line drawing by Sagar

Matilda is well on her way.

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal in Nepal
Matilda the Chihuahua

Some coloring and detail is added by Sagar.

Folk art beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal
Background color is added

Getting closer to finishing...

 

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal in Nepal
Details added again to Matilda's portrait

At this stage we are just waiting for the lettering to be added.

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua hand painted on metal in Nepal
Chalk indicates where the lettering will go

Sagar instructed Paras as to where to place the lettering.

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal in Nepal
Matilda's final portrait by Sagar Bitsa

Sagar and Paras changed the placement of the lettering when they finished the lettering.

The Nepali script reads 'Katernak Kukur' literally Danger Dog.   

Folk art Beware of Chihuahua sign hand painted on metal by sign painters in Nepal
The final 3 choices of Matilda

Matilda's final three by Sanjib Rana, Sagar Bitsa and Megh Raj Thapa (clockwise from top left).   

Which would you choose?   I don't yet know which Matilda's caretaker will choose, but I know it is a hard choice.

You can see more of this series called Anatomy of a Danger Dog by clicking on the link.

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Orders are now closed for a 2014 Danger Dog order.   However, I have over 72 different breeds on my website, NepalDog.com, so see if I have a portrait that looks like your pet!  

I am officially taking orders for the 2015 trip.

Be ahead of the pack and order today!

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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:   [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 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!


RIP Inga the Chihuahua

I first met Inga the Chihuahua at the opening exhibition of the Danger Dogs at Copro Nason Gallery in 2008.   Note the cute Danger Dog below, which sold at the exhibit.

Nepal Dog exhibition at Copro Nason
Yuba Raj Adhikari's naive Danger Dog

She was in her human's arms, guarding him from any miscreants that might want to talk to him.  Snarling and growling at all times.

 

Inga the Chihuahua at Copro Nason Gallery
Inga the Chihuahua

This is the photo I used to commission a few of her portraits, taken that very evening.   She was a little Dog with a big personality, weighing 4.4 pounds before breakfast and 4.6 after.   Though she did like to sip from her human's beer glass...

 

 

Chihuahua by Jit Gurung
Inga the Chihuahua by Jit Gurung (available)

Jit's portrait of Inga more accurately portrayed her fierce personality than her delicate good looks.   

 

 

Chihuahua by Hari Prasad
Inga the Chihuahua by Hari P (available)

Inga was attacked by a Miniature Pinscher years back and never really recovered her moxie and started being cranky even with her loving human.   Her vet prescribed Prozac for 6 weeks and then moved Inga onto Xanax.   She was still not herself.   No more beer for Inga!

 

She finally passed away at the ripe age of 15 years.   She was a good dog, very protective of her human friend.

It is always sad to lose a friend.    Inga will be missed.

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I will be heading to Nepal next week!

Since there is expected political unrest in Nepal in November, please get your orders in early...

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the November 2013 trip.  I will be back in early December 2013 in plenty of time to mail holiday orders.

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 $18 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).

If you have already ordered the price will remain the same, forever.   ie, if you are one of the lucky ones who ordered in 2007, your price will never change.  

 

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!