Danger Dog Blog

Live from Kathmandu: Local street dogs

Cute Kathmandu pup near Dilip's studio

This Spitz looks good with her large red tikka.

This lucky dog, a Spitz, sports a bright red tikka on her forehead.   She is a lucky dog since she belongs to a fishmonger's stall.

Typical dogs featured on a Nepali Kennel Club store

Most kennel clubs in the Kathmandu area focus on Boxers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Spitz, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Golden Retrievers and Dalmatians.   The only unusual one on this sign is the Cocker Spaniel - though I have seen a few in Kathmandu.

Community Dog Welfare Kopan

Kate Clendon runs the Community Dog Welfare Kopan so well that she is widening her efforts every year.   She still needs support, though.  You can find out how to help here:   http://www.communitydogwelfarekopan.org/

First she gently captures the dogs, checks for mange and deworms them, spays or neuters them and rereleases them in their home turf when they are deemed healthy.

Another inspiration for the Nepal Art Dog project

I found a new (old) Nepali Danger Dog sign yesterday.   These are too few and far between.

An old favorite

I have been passing this beautiful folk art portrait of a Nepali Collie for at least 7 years.   There is definitely a strong patina, but that just adds to the charm...

Immortalize your pet!

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

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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:   [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 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!

 

Collies as Nepalese Signboard Art

D.O.G. the Collie by Hari Prasad  1'x1'   2008 Available

Hari Prasad used graceful lines to showcase this Collie's glossy fur.

D.O.G. the Collie by Hari Prasad  1'x1'   2009  Available

One year later, again by Hari Prasad, D.O.G. has a dramatic black background.   This one was not a commission, but a work that Hari did on his own to sell to me.   Who could resist?

Typhoon the Collie by Megh Raj  1'x1'   2011 Available

Typhoon was an award winning show Collie circa 1970 and this painting was from a black and white photo.   Typhoon had tulip ears.

Zach the Collie by Megh Raj Thapa  1'x1'   2011  Available

Zach also has lovely tulip ears and a charming smile in his portrait.

Typhoon the Collie by Baba  1'x1'  2011 Available

Baba took the black and white photo and turned it into a colorful portrait of Typhoon.

Collie by Saachin  1'x1'   2007 Available

This primitive portrait is by Saachin.   Saachin now lives (and paints, I hope) in New York City.

Zach by Sanjib Rana 12"x15"  2011 Available

Sanjib Rana gave Zach a big smile, a dramatic background and beautiful lettering.   This portrait of Zach is currently available at the Craft and Folk Art Museum store.   Find out more at cafam.org.

These folk art Collies are part of the Nepal Art Dogs project.

Nepal Art Dogs is a Fair Trade Art project that promotes the endangered signboard artists of Nepal.   With over 2000 pieces commissioned in 4 years, the Danger Dogs have made a difference in the lives of many artists.   I decided to concentrate on pets as there was a tradition in Nepal already of 'Beware of Dog' signs and I knew that people would like them.   These are truly fine artists whose livelihood is disappearing at an alarming rate.

On my most recent trips to Nepal, the Danger Dog commissions were the only art these artists were still hand painting -- all their other work was done from a mass-produced image, often printed on plastic flex.  

You can help by ordering a custom portrait of your pet.   Each signboard is approximately one  square foot, synthetic enamel on metal.   Each commission will be given to at least 3 signboard artists -- giving 3 people work, you a choice of 3 signs and museum shops Nepali folk art.  

No money accepted up front.   If you don't like any of your paintings, you pay nothing.   All artists are paid fair trade wages.

For pet lovers who collect art and would like to make a difference.

Micro-finance through art patronage.   

For cats, horses, ferrets, birds, hamsters, etc, please go to NepalDog.com for more examples.

If you would like to see a particular breed, please contact me at [email protected].  

 

 

 

Danger Dogs from Nepal: Folk Art from the Himalayas

As part of the continuing series of finals for this 9th Danger Dog trip, we have the lovely tulip-eared Collie, Typhoon.   As you can tell from the vintage black and white photo, this show dog was a winner in the 1970's.   Here Typhoon by Sanjib Rana is finally finished with lettering by Birju Chaudhury. 

Pachiko is a black cat and a late order!   Her first portrait is by Sufraj.   Two more to come!   Danger Cat! Stay tuned.

Went through a different part of town yesterday and discovered that Putalisadak (means butterfly place in Nepali) is a hot bed of Danger Dogs!

This rare double dog caught my eye.  

The artist here used a sticker for the dog image and them added yellow and red paint.   This sign is also unusual in that it is signed by the artist.   While not totally hand painted, this sign definitely stands out for visual interest.

As you can see, German Shepherds are a popular choice for native Nepal Danger Dog signs.   Beware of Dog signs like this were once very common, now most are stencilled signs from various kennel clubs in Nepal.

Not nearly as interesting!

You will have to wait until next trip to order your very own Danger Dog portrait.   I leave in mid-October 2011 and will be back in plenty of time for holiday gifts.

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 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 CLOSED FOR THIS TRIP ON JUNE 3, 2011.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

 

Hello from Dogmandu!