Danger Dogs from Nepal – Folk Art from the Himalayas

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Amar Shrestha

Amar Shrestha works in Boudha, the Buddhist area of Kathmandu Valley. The above

picture was taken as I showed him photos of his work at the Craft and Folk Art Museum

here in Los Angeles. Amar speaks very little English but he loves the word ‘exhibition’

and is proud that his work has traveled far. His work has even been in the window at

the Museum!

His portraits are very soulful, and if I ever get a commission of a resting pet, Amar is the

first to get it. He loves a sleeping dog or cat.

He often uses pastel or Easter egg colors in his work. Amar’s style is almost watercolor-

like. He often forgets to sign his work, so I always bring a Sharpie. He signs them

‘Pushipati Arts, Pented by Amar’.

Once, in Kathmandu, a German lady came up to me saying “I went by Amar’s studio and

saw him painting ‘Be Aware of Dog’ and I corrected him.” Technically, in Nepali,

that’s the literal translation: Be Aware of Dog. I loved the mistake and have

incorporated it into many signs since. One studio came up with ‘Be Aware of Danger

Dog!’ which I loved. I wish that lady had been around when they mangle the word

‘Enlightened.’ But I can only imagine how I would fare with Sanskrit.

I give Amar a lot of work when I’m in Nepal and always look forward to his easy smile.

Once Amar painted a ’62 Alfa Romeo and was able to show the dashboard capturing the

transparency of the windshield. Quite a feat.