A cow grazes in fallow fields beneath the tropical sun. The morning light sparkles on the shade tree in the foreground as Jorge Leiton conjures the warm, fresh air. In the background, verdant trees stretch toward blue mountains on the horizon in this beautiful Costa Rican landscape.
"It has not been an easy road, but a path in which I have learned how to fall and how to get up."
Jorge Alberto Leitón Calvo, a born, multifaceted artist, has achieved a great career with his love of art, perseverance... and dedication.
Born in Cartago, Costa Rica, Jorge is an exemplary artisan. From a very young age, he started working to be able to pay for his studies since his parents were poor and could not give him this opportunity. He discovered his talent and began painting small artworks which he sold to generate income.
"Many times I left my house with only the money for a one-way ticket to San José. There I walked many streets to sell something because if I did not sell, I could not return home. My whole family depended on me, so I put all my effort into continuing to paint and do whatever was possible to sell and have the money I needed for my ticket and food for the day.”
“The life of an artist is hard because unfortunately, art is not something essential for day-to-day living", says Jorge. However, nothing has stopped him, not even when he sadly burned down their house where they lived with their great-grandmother, whom Jorge cared for. “One night around Christmas, we woke up to a strong smell. When we realized the fire was consuming our home, we all left immediately. Thank God no one was injured, but we lost everything. The fire reached my workshop, and many works and crafts that I had were burned. It was something very hard and sad to live with.”
But he has also experienced wonderful moments, like being hired to paint a large mural, using the money to pay off the debt he had on his house and buy a car.
Jorge is a multifaceted artist with many talents, from painting to writing and singing. “I really did everything to be able to help my family, get ahead and pay for my studies. In my free time I wrote little stories. I was also part of a musical group, where I sang and I also entertained at some events, In 2017 I did a movie called “El Silencio de Sofía” which I produced and directed. I was a theater scriptwriter, and I wrote a book called “Brenda”, a fiction and drama story.”
He worked tirelessly to be able to pay for his studies. He studied Industrial Production Engineering and received a bachelor's degree in the teaching of plastic arts. Today he has a master's degree in Educational Sciences and a master's degree in Educational Administration. Study has been his main tool for getting ahead; however, it has also been a somewhat negative factor, since having such a broad resume makes it very difficult for him to find a job.
Jorge currently gives private painting classes. He also advises his students on the financial side, so that they have the tools to sell. He continues to paint and innovate in order to continue generating income, since his parents are elderly and therefore it is very difficult for them to find a job. “My parents have always believed in me and they have been my main strength, my support and for whom I continue to work hard.”
“I have participated in more than 100 exhibitions, both individual and collective. I have also won around 35 awards in different artistic specialties, which has filled me with motivation and pride in knowing that art is still valued. It has not been an easy road, but a path in which I have learned how to fall and how to get up. It’s a path of frustration but also of great satisfaction, of knowing that the obstacles do not matter. The important thing is to know how to overcome them, that constant struggle from day to day. I am grateful from the first breath of the morning when I wake up, grateful for the land in which I was born, for the parents I have and for the work that takes us forward to achieve our dreams.”
One of Jorge's biggest dreams is to be able to have a large company where he can employ many people, especially his family. A hardworking, humble and kind artist who continues to work day after day to achieve his dreams, today Jorge is part of the great family of Novica artisans. “It is a great motivator to start this promising alliance for artisans like me. We started with very little or nothing, with many dreams in mind, and with a great desire to work. It is amazing to know that art is still valued by companies like Novica, which not only helps the artisan financially, but also emotionally.”
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.
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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!
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.
