A swan glides over a blossoming seed in the palm of the left hand in an amazing feat of perspective by Mexico's Fernando Niragob. He is inspired by Oriental philosophies and sacred geometry for the underlying meaning of this powerful ink painting. "Good intentions within are projected toward someone else's good will, and swan and octagonal seed of life represent the power and intensity of such intention," says Niragob as he explains his composition. "An ho'oponopono shapes the hand, which is my a mantra for self-healing and cleansing with the words 'Perdóname (Forgive me), Gracias (Thank you) and Te amo (I love you)' among the dispersed letters." The Mexican artist creates this inspired composition with graphite on Fabriano paper.
"This artist's road I decided to construct is the best thing that could have happened to me. I've discovered the world and discovered myself."
"Ever since I was a boy, I've been curious and inquisitive. I always liked to draw, and to keep my mind occupied with... something. My creative development has taken place throughout my life, mentally, especially. Because of this, I had problems at school for not paying attention. It wasn't because I was stupid or 'slow,' as some poor students are called, but because I wasn't interested.
"The first time I said 'I want to be a painter' – without a clear knowledge of what I was saying, to be honest – was when I was around eight years old. By the time I was fifteen, I was absolutely certain I wanted to study art. At that time, one of my sisters and I emigrated to the U.S. where we lived with an aunt and her family in Las Vegas. It was a unique experience. I attended tenth grade in high school. Among the many great things that happened that year was meeting Mr. William Pirtle in my drawing class. He saw my potential – creative, manual and character – and urged me to major in art. He even asked me to put together a portfolio so I'd be ready when the opportunity arose to apply for a scholarship. He'd tell me, 'I'd like you to take the opportunity I couldn't, to become an artist.'
"Mr. Pirtle was the second great influence in my life. The first was my mother, who painted as a hobby. She was part of a group of young intellectuals and idealists during the 1960s. Because she spent so much time with artists, writers and people of culture, one day in her life, in her personal journey through this world, she decided to leave it. This was quite a while before I was born, and this also encouraged me to reach for my dream – not theirs, obviously, but my own dream.
"Many times I've been asked why I decided to be an artist, and I even asked myself several years ago when I had my first solo exhibit. I came to the conclusion that there are three important reasons that I do this work I love so much. First, because I want to, that is, it is my wish to do so. I made the decision to do what my will and my freedom tell me to do, and this makes me very happy. Second, because I enjoy it. Facundo Cabral said 'he who works at something he doesn't love, even though he does it all day long, is unoccupied,' and how right he is. I leave the third reason to the rest of the world – friends, family, acquaintances, enemies, alike and related – to their own judgment. If they decide I paint because I want to conquer the world, they're right. Or that I paint because I want attention, they're right. Or that I paint because it's a waste of time, again they're right. The truth is, the third reason doesn't matter to me, only the first two.
"This artist's road I decided to construct is the best thing that could have happened to me. I've discovered the world and discovered myself. It's exciting to realize that so far I've done very little and that I still have so much to do. Each piece, each drawing or painting I produce is just one step toward the next one, and each one will be better.
"This path of self-discovery through art has given me everything and it will continue to do so. Simply the labor of artistic culture that we artists do, along with that of art lovers who acquire our work, is a noble aim. Just like art itself, whose purpose goes beyond any treasure or possession that could be described today, it is food for the soul, a historical record and reflection of the society in which it was produced. But probably the most important thing is that art lets understanding take a vacation."
Fernando assumes an approach when he signs his work, substituting numbers for letters or writing their mirror image. He tends to use Roman numerals to indicate year.
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
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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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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.
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