This striking painting by Christian Bustamante depicts a red crab wearing an old yellow diving helmet as it walks across the ocean floor surrounded by seaweed and shells. "This surreal image evokes different sensations in those who observe it. Each viewer can interpret the scene in their own way," says the Salvadoran artist, who created the composition using acrylics on canvas.
"What I love the most about painting is being able to create something that has never been seen in the world."
"I inherited my passion for art from my father, who used to paint as a hobby and then took it up full time when he... retired. I loved sharing this with him – his compositions have always inspired me. He specialized in portraits, especially of past Salvadoran presidents, and his preferred style was surrealism. It was a great shock to me when he passed away; I was only 15 years old.
"My passion for art and handcrafts has been with me since I was a little boy. I could spend hours drawing my favorite characters from films and T.V., and I would also do cartoons of my teachers and classmates. As I grew older I'd spend more and more time painting – to me it was something I enjoyed and did for fun. One day my dad realized that my hobby was actually my passion and he enrolled me in a repoussé course, which I did enjoy but didn't dedicate to it as my art.
"During my last year at school I designed the t-shirt for my class for graduation, and in university I designed and painted the poster for a theater play, amongst other things I did here and there.
"When I was 17 years old I managed to win a scholarship to West Point, where I graduated as an engineer. Studying kept me very busy though, and I hardly had time to paint, just a few sketches on pastel plaster.
"My economic situation deteriorated and I was out of a job, so with the little money I had I bought a few canvases and acrylic paints, and that's how my first paintings were born. My friends were very encouraging and one of them offered me a good some of money to buy one. That's how I came to realize that my art had potential to be enjoyed by others, and that it should definitely be more than a hobby.
"I have had to face some tough challenges, but definitely the worst one of all was my father's death. It was a decisive moment in my life: I could have easily drowned in depression and addiction due to the sadness I was feeling. But I was determined not to sink and instead honor my father's life for mine and my family's sake. They have always and unconditionally guided and supported me.
"Given that I've been painting since I was a kid, I've experimented with different techniques including repoussé, pyrogravure, pastel plaster and others, but my favorite remains working with acrylics because of their versatility, their attractive colors, and because they allow me to depict perfectly – even improve – my vision on the canvas.
"I am a self-taught artist, what I know I learned by trial and error. I never had formal painting classes, so my learning technique is based on practice, practice and more practice. When I finish a painting I enjoy challenging myself to improve angles, use better colors, better shadows, and more interesting compositions.
"What I love the most about painting is being able to create something that has never been seen in the world. I love the idea that when I'm working on a new painting, it is truly an original piece that will surprise people.
"I am inspired by many things, such as the cultures from Central and Latin America, as well as mountains, lakes, beaches, and coffee plantations because when I'm in these locations I feel strong emotions which I try to transmit through my paintings. My main concern is to be able to transmit an ecological message through my work since nature and the environment are very important to me.
"I am a dreamer, and one of my biggest dreams is to be able to dedicate myself to that which I am passionate about, to be able to travel and see the world. Of course, at some point I wish to start a family, study a master’s, and eventually retire at my own tea plantation.
"If it weren't for Novica, painting would still be a hobby for me and my paintings would only be seen by my family and friends. It is very difficult to make a name for oneself as an artist, so now I feel happy to have this opportunity and dedicate all of my time to painting.
"I would like to thank Novica customers for your interest in the art of our countries, you are very supportive and in my case, you’re making my dream come true."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
UNICEF Market supports children by helping generate funds for UNICEF's programs dedicated to improving children's lives worldwide. These initiatives provide essential resources such as safe water, nutrition, education, health care, and emergency relief to children in need. Learn more here: UNICEF USA.
WIN # 3 Artisans Thrive!
UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.
