News

Mary Oliver Inspires Abstract Watercolors on Yupo

10/16/2019

I am so moved by Mary Oliver's poetry. Here is a painting inspired by a line in her poem called "Green, Green is My Sister's House." The line reads, "And the tree is a sister to me." I imagine Oliver (and myself) looking up the trunks of trees, taking in their majestic crowns, and getting lost in the greenery while her heart swells in awe. I will be doing a whole series of these poetry-inspired paintings. Already looking forward to the experience! Follow along and get in touch if you are interested in purchasing my art.

Original abstract watercolor painting on yupo paper. Series: “Inspired by Poetry” (8" x 12")

Enjoy MakeHER Summit at the National Museum for Women in the Arts

10/15/2019

New Artworks in the Works ...

10/9/2019

Lovely morning. Up at six, meditation in. I like a quiet ritual to start the day. You? ✨ I am working on a bunch of new pieces, exploring colors and shapes, and going larger in sizes. If you are signed up for my newsletter, you know I have a bunch of fun events coming up where I will showcase my abstract watercolors on yupo. Check full schedule on Facebook. Hope to see you soon!

So Many Fun Conversations at the Takoma Park Street Festival

10/6/2019

Thanks to all who stopped by the Takoma Park Street Festival! What a lovely day of interesting conversations and meeting new customers. I got wonderful feedback to my RADOST scarves and my watercolors were so well received. Off to the next adventure ... Stay turned by following my Facebook page.

The American Horticultural Society in Alexandria, VA, Welcomes My RADOST Scarves

10/2/2019

A fun outing today. I got to tour the wonderful gardens of the American Horticultural Society in Alexandria and ... their gift shop now carries a colorful selection of my RADOST by Martina Sestakova scarves. Pretty floral prints only add to the beauty of this place.

Looking Up: The Ceiling That Started It All ...

10/2/2019

The ceiling that started it all … Yeah, you look up and then you find yourself inspired. I mean I did. Some time ago I looked up at the ceiling at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I got inspired … to design a black-and-white textile pattern now known as Ceiling … and the scarf and blouse (in this print) are now available at the museum’s gift shop! It’s the little things that sometimes change our lives, isn’t it?

RADOST NEWSLETTER IS OUT: OCTOBER JUST GOT MORE COLORFUL

10/1/2019

The October issue of the RADOST newsletter is out! Take a peek in this link.

VIDEO #21: RADOST SCARF - World's Windows

9/30/2019

Happy Monday! Here we go with #21 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's video celebrates the beauty of travel and connections we can make while discovering the world.

Town of Kensington Celebrates Its Landmarks

9/28/2019

The town of Kensington loves to celebrate its history and landmarks. Over the Labor Day weekend, I participated in Paint the Town art exhibition organized by @maaartists. The show is over but don’t worry … You can see a lovely selection of Kensington-inspired artworks at the city town hall! I created a sculpted painting of the Flinn Fountain, a landmark I often walk by on my strolls through town. Stop by soon!

Pendants and Bracelets Brighten Up My Students' Days

9/27/2019

Well, this was fun! I taught a watercolor class at a retirement community in Rockville, MD, during which we painted and played with colors on yupo (what a cool medium!) and ended up creating delightful pendants and bracelets. Each one as unique as their creator.

Thanks Native Society for Interviewing Me!

9/23/2019

A little brag on this sunny Monday morning ... It was fun being interviewed by The Native Society. Check out a thought or two about creativity, running a small business, and building a kind community. Read the interview here.

Fun Times at The Hyattsville Arts & Ales Festival

9/21/2019

Thanks to all who stopped by the Hyattsville Arts & Ales festival on September 21. A lovely day to be out, stroll through the craft market, and meet interesting people. @lincolnstreetdesign and I met at the festival last year and had booth next to each other, which made for a fun day filled with sharing of our creations and chatting away. Looking to buy my RADOST scarf for yourself or as a gift? You can find me at the Takoma Park Street Festival on October 7. Check my Facebook page for a full listing of events.

When Mary Oliver's Poems Inspire Abstract Art ...

9/20/2019

VisArts in Rockville, MD, is such a gem of an art institution. This non-profit brings an incredible variety of classes to the locals. I teach an array of abstract art workshops there and today's class was just so delightful. In "Abstract Art: Inspired by Poetry", we read up on Mary Oliver and her wonderful poems and then follow a fun process to use the poems as inspiration for abstract artworks. This is a meditative and introspective way of learning about art; we always have such a nice time. Next class is on October 7 at 11am.

Celebrating Princeton Reunion in Style!

9/19/2019

Well, this was fun! A commission for my client who is going to a Princeton reunion. She sure will be celebrating in style. Orange it is! Want a scarf made just for you? A loved one? DM me for details. I am happy to you.

"TURNING INSPIRING MESSAGES INTO ABSTRACT WATERCOLOR COLLAGES" CRAFT PARTY AT THE MUSE IN FREDERICK, MD

9/18/2019

Thank you, Whitney (top left), for having me at The Muse and sharing a fun creative evening. I enjoyed leading "Turning Inspiring Messages into Abstract Watercolor Collages." What a lovely time of sharing and exploring! We used a variety of words as inspiration to learn about the power of colors, shapes, and textures, and created unique collages. You can read more here on Whitney's blog.

Great Insights in "Colors of You" at Kensington Row Bookshop

9/17/2019

What a fun creative ride today at "Colors of You" (watercolor workshop) at Kensington Row Bookshop. We explored abstract self-portraiture through the use of our seven senses, colors, shapes, and textures. Stay tuned for new workshops!

What one of my students had to say ... "Thank you so much! Loved the class! Lots of fun! Looking forward to more classes!!"

VIDEO #20: RADOST SCARF - Look in Deeper

9/16/2019

Happy Monday! Here we go with #20 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's video celebrates the rich inner life we as human being have.

New Artworks at Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD

9/14/2019

My sculpted painting “Sunset over Pond” (top left) is in such delightful company at @adah_rose_gallery in Kensington, MD. I like how it interacts with the other artworks when it comes to colors and textures. Stop by this unique contemporary art gallery and browse through. You can also see my watercolor on yupo - “Serenity II” on display.

New Gift Shop - Rockville Made - At Peerless Rockville!

9/13/2019

Ann Schaefer (oil painter) and I are proud to be part of Peerless Rockville's new Rockville Made gift shop. We are fellow Montgomery Art Association members and just met at the opening of the gift shop! Ann's paintings and my scarves feature the city's landmarks (such as the Glenview Mansion) and are available at the Red Brick Courthouse. Additional details about a unique set of artists featured at this gift shop are here.

New RADOST Scarves and Tops at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Gift Shop

9/12/2019

Meet my new friend. Yesterday I delivered a lovely new set of my RADOST scarves and tops to the American Art Museum gift shop. I tell you. It’s been such a wonderful experience being one of ten local artists featured at this Smithsonian museum. The display is beautiful and the visitors have had such nice feedback to my colorful designs. They have several really interesting art exhibits on now so make a day out of it and browse the halls filled with such wonderful art.

VIDEO #19: RADOST SCARF - Falling for Fall

9/9/2019

Happy Monday! Here we go with #19 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's video celebrates colorful Fall nature walks.

Thank You, Takoma Park Folk Festival, For a Fun Day!

9/8/2019

I kicked off the craft festival season at the Takoma Park Folk Festival! Thanks to all who stopped by and supported local crafters and artisans. I was there with my RADOST scarves, tops, and pillows, and you could also shop my watercolor paintings. All of these make for lovely and meaningful gifts!

Happy Cubist Portraits at a Watercolor CLass

9/6/2019

I taught a class at a retirement community in Rockville and as always loved every minute of it. A great group of ten women. We studied Cubist portraits, such as those of George Braque. Here is an interpretation by one of my delightful students. She smiled the whole time she painted. And her blouse, ooh. Love the pattern!

Hearts! Hearts! Hearts! a Lot of love All Over

9/5/2019

All framed! These watercolor hearts are a lot of fun for me to paint. Hearts have had such strong symbolic meanings throughout history. I, of course, have to add tons of colors and textures. I painted these - they are all originals - while visiting my family in Prague so they are filled with positive intention and care. Enjoy! Available at The Artisans in McLean, VA.

Indeed, I Like to Hear Feedback Like This From My Clients

9/4/2019