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Big Reveal! Frederick-inspired Scarves Just for You

2/28/2018

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I like a good stroll through town. And I like it even more when that stroll is in Frederick! What a cute Maryland town? Have you been? If not, head that way as you will find historic streets lined up with locally-owned shops of all kinds. Yummy food at restaurants, trees lining the streets, colorful spires of churches. One of these small shops is called The Muse and it now carries my line of scarves called "Frederick Lovin'"!

Take a look below at these beauties that honor the beauty of this town. I walked through the streets on a sunny days not too long ago and snapped a lot of photos. Here we go with a selection of three: church spires, house windows, and town skyline. Yes, I did go to the top of a parking garage to get a great view and capture it for one of my unique textiles. 
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If you love Frederick or if you have never been - it really doesn't matter - stop by The Muse and check out an amazing selection of handmade gifts at this store. And take a look at my RADOST scarves to see if you can find where exactly I snapped photos that made it into the patterns of these scarves. Enjoy!
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Monday Dose of RADOST

2/26/2018

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As teaching artist, I am intrigued with the opportunities within a classroom: the potential to find out what's on the inside and how one can express creatively with color. My favorite classes are watercolor studies. I teach at a variety of setting, one of which are independent living communities. My students are in their 80s and 90s; some of them have never held a brush in their hand. Yet, they have a blast! They play around with colors, mix them up, and create such distinct art pieces. So, in this week's Monday Dose of RADOST, I wish for you to keep learning and to try new things. Enjoy your day!
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The word RADOST is the Czech word for JOY. Every Monday I share with you a photo and a thought or two to bring joy into your week. Check back as those Mondays just keep coming up and up ... ​​​
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Textile of the Week: Air Plants!

2/23/2018

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I love color. Yet, sometimes it's just so nice to see things in black and white ... I snapped this photo of electric lines with air plants living on them in Granada, Nicaragua. And speaking of color, that's all Nicaragua is about. I looked up and saw these adorable lumps of plants and loved the interaction between the lines and the circular shapes. And of course, since it's Friday and thus Textile of the Week day, I turned my picture into textile patterns! Enjoy!
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Do you like what you see? Contact me so we can make a custom #scarf or another item for you from one of these #textile prints.
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"Storm on The Horizon": Story of a Watercolor

2/21/2018

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Art is funny. Yes, sometimes it is actually hilarious. And sometimes, it's funny how it evolves and what happens with it. I took a class not too long ago: watercolor on yupo, which is a synthetic paper. It's an exciting surface for watercolor and Alexandra Sherman, the instructor in my class, has worked with it for years. 

So, I am sitting in class creating this abstract scene, mixing colors, waiting for the watercolor to dry. Alexandra encourages me to test out a variety of techniques and not just stick to what I often do with watercolors. So, I start creating shapes in my piece ... and loving the process! What started as a play of color ended up being a scene with a storm approaching a meadow, with a few trees bending in the wind. Interesting, the moment captured in my art work reminds me of a trip to Kenya I took several years ago. While watching the horizon and admiring the beautiful animals strolling by, a powerful storm came through quickly bringing in wind and rain and then being gone in a minute or two. 

I finished my piece almost surprised about how my abstract actually captured a scene I have experienced a few years back. I just love this about art: the potential for memories and new creations; the potential to bring in experiences and turn them into something new. 

I am excited to share that my "Storm on the Horizon" is on display until March 11, 2018, at the VisArts in Rockville, MD. It got juried into the annual Student Exhibition.  
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I hope you can stop by this fun art show and take a look at the painting. All artworks are for sale. I truly enjoyed creating this colorful scene and it's so wonderful to be able to share it with all of you. Check out my Facebook page for this event and VisArt's opening times. 
VisArts
155 Gibbs Street
Rockville, MD 20850
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Monday Dose of RADOST

2/19/2018

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It's a day off for many of us. I am sitting by my computer and preparing for a solo exhibition of my photographs thinking about the opportunities that come our way. I love rust and textures and colors and have a series of photos that explore rust as an artist - as a vehicle to create modern pieces of art. My photos will be on view at The Muse in Frederick, Maryland, during the month of March 2018. This show is an opportunity I did not expect to come my way; it's a lovely experience to have. So, on this Monday off, I wish you a day full of lovely experiences you may have not expected. Enjoy!
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The word RADOST is the Czech word for JOY. Every Monday I share with you a photo and a thought or two to bring joy into your week. Check back as those Mondays just keep coming up and up ... ​​
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Textile of the Week: Magical Yupo

2/16/2018

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I just finished a class at a local art center. I love watercolor and this class explored this medium on a new type of paper called yupo. Yupo is actually not paper; it's completely synthetic and the paint sits on top of it. The teacher, Alexandra Sherman, is an amazing artist and guided us through the process of creating incredibly colorful and interesting works. Below is an example. And it would not be me if I didn't take this piece and turn it into textile patterns! Don't these look like kaleidoscope creations? 
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The Most Loving Notes on This Valentine's Day

2/14/2018

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Valentine's Day is all about love ... for our family members, friends, partners ... Yet, I like to think of it as a good day to remind ourselves of love we need to have our ourselves. Kindness and care toward ourselves is an important basis for the love we can share with the world.

I am a big believer in the power of our thoughts and intentions. And of course, this reflects in my textile design work. I use original artwork to tell stories in my fabrics so that when you bring them to your home or closet, you have a constant reminder of joy and goodness. It's no surprise than that I have a collection of scarves called "Note to Self".

​Take a look below at these colorful creations that all use sound waves of powerful statements to bring insight and empowerment into our days. Once these scarves around your neck, let the message sink in and go about your day with your head high and your heart open. Plus, you will be fashionable too! Who can say no to that? ​
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For this scarf pattern, I recorded the words "Strength Lives Within Me" and set the sound wave against a powerful shade of red. Nobody needs to know what the sound waves says. As long as you have a reminder for the incredible power within you, then all is good with the world ... ​
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This blue/purple beauty holds sound waves of "Joy Fills My Heart". Joy is my favorite word and nothing can hold me back from bringing as much joy into our world as possible!
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And look at this bright green creation! Once you wear it, you will need believe that you have all the powers you need. This scarf holds a sound wave of "I Radiate Confidence." This scarf will surely take you through your day no matter what comes your way. 
So, happy Valentine's Day to you! Take care of yourself and surround yourself with reminders of the beauty you hold within. Enjoy your day!
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Monday Dose of RADOST

2/12/2018

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Happy Monday! Today's dose of joy comes to you from Nicaragua. I spent a lovely week exploring this striking country. While there, we had a full moon. At dinner, as I looked up, the moon peeked around a tree and lit up our table. It was a lovely moment. Hence, this week, I wish for you to have many moments of looking up and seeing magical things!
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The word RADOST is the Czech word for JOY. Every Monday I share with you a photo and a thought or two to bring joy into your week. Check back as those Mondays just keep coming up and up ... ​​
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Textile of the Week: Black Lines and a Touch of Blue

2/9/2018

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I enjoy scribbling random shapes in a thin black pen on a piece of paper. It's calming and a fun way to explore the power of a simple line. In the example below, I colored my lines in with a touch of watercolor: a few shades of blue added much interest. And then, of course, I played around creating several textile patterns. And what a small sketch can do! Look at the lovely variety in the prints! Which one is your favorite? Why? Let me know!
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Do you like what you see? Contact me so we can make a custom #scarf or another item for you from one of these #textile prints.
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Off the Grid: Textile Art at the Silver Spring Civic Center

2/7/2018

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I love going to events around Montgomery Country discovering the incredibly talented artists who reside in the area. At the end of January, I went to the opening reception of "Off the Grid: Contemporary Fiber + Textile Art" at the Silver Spring Civic Building. 

​The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery was abuzz! Walls covered with wonderful textile art, room filled with people engaged in deep conversation. Amina K. Cooper, the Public Art Manager, curated a wonderful show honoring the works of five artist: Judy Kirpich, Hillary Steel, Floris Flam, Betsy Packard, and Karen Schulz.

While many of us may be familiar with the traditional methods of textile design, Cooper focuses on highlighting innovative uses of such methods. The featured artworks showcase highly-mastered dying, weaving, stitching, and screen printing - with a modern twist. When I walked into the room, I thought I walked into an art gallery with the most delightful paintings as the pieces truly master contemporary views on abstraction, use of color and shape. 

The artists present at the opening were delightful - so excited to share their art and creative process with all of us. I got to talk to them and admire their focus on learning the traditional techniques and then pushing forth with their own unique ways of manipulating fiber to create refreshing pieces of art. Scroll below and take a look at close-ups of these great works. 
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History, 1998
Hillary Steel
Screen printing on silk
80" x 60" x 6"

Hillary's large-scale piece investigates history - of textiles, of course! She created a stencil out of photos of textile factories and the people working inside of them. A lovely way to use textiles to tell stories.
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The Offering, 2015
Betsy Packard
Clothing and wire
​11 1/4" x 8 1/4" x 7 1/2" 

An intricately beautiful take on textiles in a 3D art form. Betsy has a great feel for using pattern on the fabric so one's eye just glides peacefully across this piece of art. 
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A Rectangle or 2, 2013
Karen Schulz
Hand dyed cotton fabric, machine pieced and quilted, couching
33" x 26"

Karen shares that her pieces start as studies in composition. She has no particular idea in mind; she lets the fabrics guide her to achieve balance and interest. The form then, in return, informs her feelings and promotes new ideas. 
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Indigo Composition No. 2, 2016
Judy Kirpich
Chinese indigo cotton, Japanese handspun cotton, machine pieced, machine and hand quilted
​84" x 61"

Judy educates us about the use of Chinese indigo cotton, which gets beaten with eggs to achieve a high shine finish ... One just wants to touch her pieces. Judy has such great understanding of texture and the visual effect of a variety of textile finishes. 
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Rhythm and Blues, 2016
Floris Flam
Artist-dyed cotton fabric, fabric collage, machine quilted
​16" x 10 1/2" 

Floris, who dyes all of her fabrics, showcases truly colorful modern quilts. As she admits, her love of quilting started when she discovered that they don't have to be beige. And indeed, her works overflow with courageous use of any color. 
The photos of these art pieces do not do them justice. Hop over to Silver Spring and stroll through the Gallery to admire these intricate designs in person. Many of them are for sale so you may end up with a unique piece for your home. I had such a fun time meeting the artists and can't wait to see where their creative journey takes them next!
 
Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room
Silver Spring Civic Building
One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 6 PM ​
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Monday Dose of RADOST

2/5/2018

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I am looking out the window. The sun is shining but it's cold and there are no leaves on the trees. Yesterday, I was sifting through a few photos and came across this brightly colored tree from a few years ago. Isn't it amazing to enjoy the seasons? Nature has such an incredible way to change, to regenerate, to take a break. Hence, this week I wish you may find moments of calm giving yourself a change to renew your own energy. 
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The word RADOST is the Czech word for JOY. Every Monday I share with you a photo and a thought or two to bring joy into your week. Check back as those Mondays just keep coming up and up ... ​
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    RADOST™ BLOG

    Welcome! My textile/fashion design brand RADOST™ (Czech) is all about JOY (English). 

    In the blogs, I bring you thoughts on textile and fashion design, art, and travel.

    Check back often, as creativity never sleeps (well, almost never) and surround yourself with joy!  ​​

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© RADOST™ by Martina Sestakova 2016-2021. Kensington, MD. All rights reserved. 
Contact Martina Sestakova at connect@RadostByMartinaSestakova.com


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