The passing years have left their mark on her face and weathered hands, but her gaze is firm and bright. Carolina Cabrera depicts an elder woman in a handwoven skirt wrapped in a sweater and rebozo. In her hands, she holds a rosary, symbol of the faith that has sustained her all her life. "I took this woman's photo one day in downtown Guatemala City. I knelt, focusing the camera at an angle that emphasized her hands and the rosary she held, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of her life," the artist confides.
"I've always believed my art to be directly related to the history and traditions of my Guatemala."
Seven years ago, we met painter Carolina Cabrera from Guatemala and immediately fell in love with her work. She is... especially skilled at capturing emotion on the human face, which made us feel like we knew her subjects intimately. They are our sisters, uncles, friends, etc. even though we've never physically shook their hand or given them a hug. This is a rare talent and one that we are excited to feature on Novica's website. Over the years, she's also become our friend.
Recently we heard about a tough time her family is going through. Her husband recently had a stroke. If you've ever had a family member who's been through this, you know how life altering it is. He has to relearn how to do even the most basic tasks (walking, eating, talking) via intensive physical therapy. Our friend, Carolina, has been there right by his side, patiently driving him to and from medical appointments for months now. As a result, she has been unable to paint, which is her main source of income.
She still has some paintings in stock though, if you are in the market for fine art. She has discounted them in order to help pay her husband's medical bills, which are piling up. For this reason, we are honored to highlight her in this special Giving Tuesday email. We hope her story might strike a cord in a someone looking for that special piece of art. Please consider Carolina!
"I'm Carolina Cabrera Dubón, born in August of 1963 in the capital to a middle class family like many others in Guatemala. My childhood mixed both happiness and instability, as my parents' relationship was a difficult one and they separated on many occasions. So at times, my four brothers and I lived with our maternal grandmother. This made me a very timid little girl and I found it hard to relate to others.
"Because of this, and our economic problems, I wasn't able to develop my artistic skills as a child. Even so, I was always very interested in painting as a way to express my feelings. I was always drawing and painting. I even dreamed of becoming an artist one day.
"When I was 14, in art class they asked us to do some pen and ink drawings on the theme of 'Antigua.' I worked very hard on my drawings, and realized I had talent when the teacher asked me where I'd had them printed. I was amazed! I never expected my teacher to react in that way. They were my first works of art. But one day I lent them to a friend and she never returned them.
"My parents pressured me to study something they considered more practical, so I became a secretary. I wasn't happy, but it was what I was able to study. After graduating, I went to work full time and eventually I was able to pay for a diploma course in art at the university. After that, I began to take classes from a renowned Guatemalan artist who taught me the technique of oil on canvas.
"After three years, I still sought new horizons, and I began studying with Humberto Coronado, a master painter. He taught me new techniques apart from oils – he taught me to work in pastels, acrylic and other media that awakened my creativity even more.
"I believe much of my art is the result of being constant with my studies and focusing all my efforts on learning the best from each teacher I've had. In addition, improving my technique has been a constant challenge throughout my life, and it is a desire that is always latent within me.
"I've always believed my art to be directly related to the history and traditions of my Guatemala. Not only for the colors and customs I try to reflect in my paintings, but also my portraits of our people and their emotions.
"Over the years, it hasn't been easy. It's been a personal challenge for people to recognize my form of artistic expression. However, today several prestigious Guatemalan institutions have sponsored exhibits of my work. This has been a long and difficult road, but one filled with satisfaction. What comes to mind is when I won first place in a contest in the Asociación Dante Alighieri in 2006. Another lovely moment was at the beginning of 2010, when a relative took some of my paintings to the U.S. After much work and perseverance, he was able to organize an exhibit of my work in Chicago.
It is the textures that distinguish Carolina Cabrera's paintings, achieved by mixing marble dust with gum and water. For the background, she uses a Japanese paper for its fineness and resistance to the passing of time. She would like all of us to become acquainted with the universality of the human face.
When Carolina first joined Novica she confided that "My greatest dream is to become recognized as an artist. Now that my two children are older, I hope to study for an advanced degree in art in a foreign country." In 2016, Carolina proudly shared with us that "My dream came true! I have now held three exhibitions in Rome, Italy. And here in Guatemala I've had over 50 exhibitions!"
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.
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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.
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UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
