Danger Dogs Visit from Nepal

Have no fear, the Danger Dogs at Nomad will not bite. Hand-painted in Nepal, the Danger Dogs are a fair trade art project to benefit traditional Nepali signboard artists whose livelihood is endangered by digital technology. 

Well known for its colorful array of fashion and folk art, Nomad is currently displaying the Danger Dog paintings in its front windows. Nomad’s Deb Colburn heard about Danger Dog project through her friend Michelle Page, who commissions the paintings (similar to those seen on gates and doorways throughout Nepal) from artists she knows through her travels to the country. You can see photos of the whimsically captioned paintings available at Nomad on the store’s Facebook page. The 12-inch square paintings on recycled metal are priced at $180 each.

If you would like a custom portrait of your own dog (or another pet), you can email a photo and a suggested caption (“Enlightened Dog” is my favorite) to Nepal Art Dogs (ampage1@gmail.com). Your pet’s portrait will provide three Nepali artists with paid work. There is no obligation to buy any of the three paintings; you can purchase the painting you like best, and the other two will be sold at retail, and all three artists will earn a living wage for their work. The price for a custom portrait is $250 (enter the promo code NOMAD to receive a discount). To browse the available paintings by breed or to commission a custom portrait, visit Nepal Art Dogs online.

Located near Porter Square, Nomad also carries handsome leather dog collars from Istanbul’s animal market (next door to its famous spice market). Studded with the traditional “evil eye” charms, the collars are priced from $22 to $46. Store mascot Dr. Watson wears one to ward off evil spirits.

Nomad is at 1741 Mass. Ave. (near Linnaean St.), Cambridge, MA 02140.