I just updated my website with online art classes for June (two classes are for kids!) No experience needed: just a curious mind. Sign up at my SHOP (=> Art Workshops).
|
I am excited that my floral watercolor "Love" is being featured by Art Works Richmond in an online exhibition called "Mother May I?." This show can be viewed through June 25 (https://artworksrva.com/blog/events/all-media-show-5-2020/). Enjoy insightful artworks.  I recently shipped off a lovely variety of my RADOST scarves to a dear customer. She emailed me a few times telling me how much fun she was having styling the scarves, layering a few at a time. Love it. I am so grateful for moments like these. Evidence that color brings joy to our lives. Hop over to the SHOP and see which scarf may be calling your name.  Flowers are a never-ending source of inspiration for a lot of us. In today's workshop - "3D Floral Collage in Watercolors" - my students explored flowers (actual and imagined) in 3D. We created our collages and then painted them in lovely watercolors. So beautiful! Here is what one of my students had to say about her experience: "Thank you for a very enjoyable class. You are a wonderful teacher and it was easy to follow along."
Today's "Watercolor: Claude Monet's Field of Tulips" was a lot of fun. 10 kids coming together through Zoom and learning about Monet's love for the fields of tulips in the Netherlands. We went back to 1886 and got inspired by one of Monet's paintings and created our own. From scratch! My students' ages ranged from 10-13 and they had a fun time learning how to create a painting and how to use watercolors. New classes are coming up and you can register here!
 I love to learn about history and cultures around the world and studying up on the concept of 'archetypes' lead me to create a collage workshop, "Creating New Archetypes". My students learned about archetypes in art/paintings and we then created our own imagery. Words that kept coming up - free, wild, open, hope - made into into our collages. Want to join in on the creative fun? Check out my June workshop lineup. Here is what one of my students had to say about the class: "I loved your class so much! Here is my piece. I want to write something about it." My other student said, "Another marvelous class! Thank you so much!!"
So excited to see my two abstract watercolors in the home of a customer of mine. Nestled in a comfy nook with artworks by other local artists. So grateful to be in such colorful company!  How cool is this pillow? I always enjoy working on pillow covers made out of t-shirts. This one will make one young lady really happy. Her mom reached out to me and ordered this custom piece that captures all of her daughter's beloved activities throughout the years. You should see how tiny one of the t-shirts was. So fun! And I used a pocket from one of the shirts. Maybe it could hold a fun message? Want one for your child. Contact me for details!  A lovely morning spent exploring the importance of words in our lives and turning a few words from a Joy Harjo poem into a series of abstract watercolors. Great engaged group; fun conversations. Indeed, it's been a pleasure leading Zoom art workshops: though we cannot come together physically, we can create and explore together from the comfort of our homes. Want to join in? I offer art workshops where no experience is needed: just your curious self. Check them out here. 
  Thanks everyone for your support! I have enjoyed dropping your shipments off at the post office and sending a big of colorful joy your way. Here is a little slideshow of some of my RADOST scarves. They come as infinity or open (perfect to tie in your hair!). Enjoy and hop over to the shop to read stories behind each design. It's a small world! Who knew? Elizabeth of @midatlanticmodern lives close to me and I pass her house on my daily walks. I am loving my new earrings (and wood bowl) I grabbed during a socially distanced shopping in front of her lovely home. How fabulous are these vintage finds? Three options and they all go beautifully with my RADOST scarf. Hop over to @midatlanticmodern with their eye for affordable design and see what's available. You have a really fun shopping experience coming your way!
I am excited to announce that my artwork - "There Are No Rules" - is part of Montgomery Art Association's first online-only art exhibition called "Our Stories". In addition to colorful creations, you are invited to read stories that explains why each piece is important to the artist. Visit the show at https://montgomeryart.org/Online-Exhibitions and inquire about purchasing an original piece of art by emailing connect@radostbymartinasestakova.com. Enjoy the exhibition!  Thank you, Capitol Hill Art League, for letting me takeover your account today! What fun to share pic of my work and to promote my fellow artists. Be sure to follow @caphillartleague on Instagram for news from their members and other visiting artists.
This watercolor is called "Here You May Find Me" and is inspired by Mary Oliver's poem "Tides." Kensington Park Library in Kensington, MD, was supposed to hold an Ekphrastic Poetry art show but since it's closed, it took the form of a Zoom meeting. This type of poetry explores a piece of art and I am honored to have a poem written about my painting by my friend, Rhonda Williford. Her poem is called "You May Find Me Here" and you can enjoy it in this post (scroll down). A poem inspiring a painting inspiring a poem ... art comes full circle. What a fun experience to share. Thank you, Rhonda!  You May Find Me Here
by Rhonda Williford You may find me here on the path to finding where you may find me as the violet geologic layers morph into the ochre -- the ochre into the viridian green. And you may find me here, twizzling out, as we each do, a swirl of substance gapped by space -- only propelled by some unexplained sense of propulsion, the flagellation of a wisp of cell. Seeded in adventure, what else to unfold the folds, fold them back and burst again? There is breath in the color and each color breathes each single pulse. You may find me here where you may find yourself. Something we share, however, never identical. Only the curves match but not in their size or shape. Only the unwinding out into this world we all unwhirl into -- whirl and whirl silent dervish under moon until the yolk of our song breaks out -- right there right here -- where you may find me now. All rights reserved. Oh, what a fun workshop - "3D Floral Collage in Watercolors" - organized by VisArts via Zoom. I had a lot of fun leading this class. My students had fun learning about watercolors and created truly unique pieces of art. The next class takes place at 11am on May 19 and you are welcome to grab your ticket here.
 I am excited that my abstract watercolor "In Every Breath, Every Step" is being featured by Art Works Richmond in an online exhibition called "ART AT A DISTANCE, American Life in Isolation." This show can be viewed through May 16 (artworksva.com/blog/events). Enjoy beautiful and insightful artworks.  Lift your spirits ✨ It's easy with unique jewelry and original artwork. Style and color for your outfits, home, and soul. I am excited to team up with @oaktheshop in creating these cool sets! Just look at how lovely. Gayle expertly paired up modern Lenny & Eva earrings with my watercolors on yupo. As small businesses, we come together to bring you unique products and appreciate all your support. Each set includes a set of earrings (handcrafted in Tennessee, two-inch drop, gold plated brass wire with Miyuke beads) with original artwork (either an abstract or a set of three hearts). Looking for gifts for Mother's Day? Here you go. Gifts for any other occasion? Here you go. A treat for yourself. Go for it. Read on for details on pricing and delivery. Again, thank you for all of your support of our work SHOP: Contact Gayle at oaktheshop@gmail.com and indicate which # set you wish to purchase. No swaps; sets sold as presented. Scroll all the way to set #20 to see what is available. PRICING: Sets #1-5: $58 + tax; free local delivery or $3 shipping Sets #6-10: $52 + tax; free local delivery or $3 shipping Sets #11-15: $56 + tax; free local delivery or $3 shipping Sets #16-20: $42 + tax; free local delivery or $3 shipping Our businesses are located in Kensington, MD. Earrings and artwork crafted/created with much joy in the United States. Enjoy!
What a fun evening. Thanks to all who joined "Abstract Watercolor: Introspective Collage" over Zoom. Want to join in in the future? Be sure to check out Shop => Art Workshops and see you in class! What my students say about their experience ...
A little project turned a fun creative adventure ... I reached out to Elizabeth B Sullivan to get permission to use her photograph (left) as inspiration for a watercolor on yupo (right). You know my love for abstracts, so her photo was a wonderful piece to interpret. Graininess, richness of textures, paints interacting. Thanks for the opportunity, Elizabeth!  Oh, how fun! Here I am looking at my students through a Zoom screen. Lovely group, lovely project. We used watercolors to create abstract self portraits through the exploration of our five sense. What unique and cool creations! Be sure to follow along and sign up for upcoming April and May online workshops. 
Let’s celebrate Spring together! Do you enjoy flowers and their blooms? Are you intrigued by watercolor? Join Martina Sestakova, art educator, for a workshop, during which you will create a colorful 3D flower collage in watercolors. We will tear out shapes, assemble our flowers, and paint them in a variety of bright colors. No experience is necessary as you learn basics behind watercolors and create a unique floral composition. You will need: 2-3 sheets of watercolor paper (9″ x 12″) 1 cup for water 1 watercolor paints (tray or tubes) Glue stick (school glue) 1 pencil Grab your ticket here. Instruction will be provided through the Zoom platform. Students will need to have a webcam and the ability to download zoom on their computer, phone or tablet. Once you register for the class, you will be sent an e-mail with the Zoom URL to log in to the class. Please provide a correct and viable e-mail address when registering as this is how you receive your link.  |
