News

This Private Workshop Was a Blast!

9/13/2021

Here is my client's review: "Our private art session with Martina was such a wonderful experience and great for all ages! Martina had a lovely set up on her covered patio, and our group of 3 adults and one child all loved our watercolors lesson. It was a relaxed and fun environment and rekindled the love of painting for some of us, sparked new interest in others, and encouraged my eleven year old niece to explore more of her passion for art. I am already planning my next session with another group of friends!" Contact me to schedule your own Zoom or in-person workshop.

Thanks Takoma Park Folk Festival!

9/12/2021

I had such a nice time showcasing my RADOST scarves and abstract paintings at the 2021 Takoma Park Folk Festival on September 12! Thanks to all who stopped by and supported local artists and crafters. Lovely conversations; new connections. I am grateful for this opportunity.

September 10th, 2021

9/10/2021

The mission of Rainbow Place is to provide women emergency overnight shelter during the hypothermia season and assist them as they transition to a better quality of life. Since 1982, Rainbow Place has been providing seasonal overnight shelter in Rockville for women experiencing homelessness. The shelter is open each year from November 1 - April 1, keeping women safe in Montgomery County during the coldest months of the year.

Rainbow Place Shelter is holding an online basket raffle through October 24th. This is how it works. You buy a ticket, or many tickets, and then put them toward the prizes you are interested in winning. On October 25th, just before the start of our 2021-22 season, we will have a drawing and announce the lucky winners!

Event Link: https://rainbowplaceshelter.basketraffle.org/ (search for an art workshop with Martina Sestakova!)

#ArtHappensHere: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County’s Campaign Promotes Local Arts

7/23/2021

I am honored to have been selected to participate in #ArtHappensHere, a temporary mural/banner effort organized by Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County to bring local artists’ ideas to public places. My proposal featuring my abstract painting got selected and turned out great – literally and figuratively – as it got printed on a 10x10’ banner by Image360, a print shop in Kensington, MD, where I live and work. My artwork is now featured at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Silver Spring, MD. Let’s take a look at this fun community-building project!

The original artwork is a 14x10” abstract acrylic painting on yupo called “One Wild Precious Life,” which is a line from Mary Oliver’s poem, ‘The Summer Day’. It’s all about positive energy and celebrating being alive. And isn’t that exactly what art can bring to us and our communities?

I took a section of this artwork and created a square piece to fit the required banner specifications. The piece brings the joy of creativity out in colors, shapes, and textures. I enjoy its vibrancy. I am thankful to Sierra Smith, public art & communications coordinator of Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, who organized the call for art, reviewed submitted proposals with her team, and worked with the selected artists to bring their ideas out to communities around the county.

Working with Marsha Kaiser, of the Museum, has been a lovely experience. We met to assess the space and located a wall in the main hall to display the banner. My husband Jordan and I picked up the banner from Image360. Chris Samford, client relations manager, was so helpful and friendly; I highly recommend this business if you have any signage needs. Marsha, my husband, and I, hung the banner up (high up!) and enjoyed our time together while chatting about the Museum’s restoration efforts. You must see the amazing trolleys from several countries around the world!

To see my artwork (in display through mid-October 2021) and visit this cool Museum, please stop by Saturdays (noon-5pm) at 1313 Bonifant Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Thanks again to the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County and National Capital Trolley Museum for this unique opportunity. I have had a blast!

Solo Show at Plaza Art in Bethesda, MD

7/10/2021

Installed! I invite you to stop by Martina Sestakova's Art at Plaza Art Bethesda (Through August 4, 2021). I’m sharing a selection of my abstract watercolors on yupo at this great art store. A variety of sizes and prices. All of my work is inspired by words and their role in our lives. Enjoy!

Shop Online for New Scarf Designs!

6/16/2021

Original Heart Paintings at Home, Heart, and Soul

6/15/2021

JOY AS STYLE: Alumna Martina Sestakova

6/10/2021

#tbt It was so much fun being profiled by my graduate school - Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA - back in 2017! Click the link below to read the full profile.

"Few fashion designers earn the privilege of being featured at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Academy alumna Martina Sestakova (MFA Fashion Design) has already accomplished that with her signature handcrafted infinity scarves. A proud cause for a joyous celebration! Not surprisingly, the name for her brand RADOST™ comes from the Czech word for joy. Fashion School Daily caught up with Sestakova to talk about launching a fashion business while still in school, reaching out into a black hole and why collaboration is everything!" Enjoy the full article here.

Sign Up for Class with Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

5/19/2021

I am honored to lead a workshop at the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. I am leading "Abstract Art Inspired by Mary Oliver’s Poetry" class on June 3 at 6pm (no experience needed). $10 donation goes to a great cause and you will have fun exploring watercolors and poetry at the same time. Join with a friend! Grab a ticket here.

MissPrints & MasterPieces ROCKS!

5/18/2021

Oh, this woman is a powerhouse of a creator! Meet Angie Meche Kilcullen. She is a mixed media painter and you can find her working in her 120-year-old converted barn studio in Kensington, MD. Angie runs MissPrints & MasterPieces, a collection of gorgeous curated art prints & more by ALL female ARTISTS. Visit us here.

Oh What Fun! Pop-up at The Artisans in McLean, VA

5/15/2021

I had a lovely day popping-up at The Artisans gift shop in McLean, VA. The staff brought out six artists and crafters for a day of shopping and chatting. It was so nice to be outside and to talk to customers and my fellow creators. Several of my abstracts on yupo and many RADOST scarves found new homes. I am so grateful. The Artisans is always here for your gifting needs and they have a lovely selection of my scarves. Stop by!

New Art at Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD

5/7/2021

I am excited to have delivered a new piece of art to Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD. This gallery supports contemporary local artists and it's been a pleasure to showcase a few of my abstracts on yupo there. This piece is called ""Walking Down the Beach." The title of this painting is inspired by a line in "Watering the Stones", a poem by Mary Oliver. Oliver was an avid walker, a believer of out of the doors revelations. I hope this painting takes you right to the beach with its shimmer, sound, and salty air.

Private and Public Classes via Zoom

5/5/2021

Oh, what fun! I had the pleasure of teaching a private and a public class today. Via Zoom, I gathered with people interested in anything and everything creative and we dove into the history of art and let it inspire our own unique explorations. Interested in working with me? Sign up for a class or contact me to schedule a private personal/group session.

Pretty Scarves Go into the Mail!

5/5/2021

RADOST at Studio K Collective

5/3/2021

I am excited to announce that my scarves and artworks are now available at Studio K Collective in Alexandria, VA. Kirsten, the owner, is lovely and an active supporter of local artists. Visit 1300 Lafayette Dr to enjoy a nice variety of arts, handmade beauty products, and crafts.

Gifts Inn in Boonsboro Has a Lovely Selection of My RADOST Scarves and Abstract and Heart Paintings

4/29/2021

See My Photography in "Fotographia" at Emergy Gallery

4/17/2021

Enjoy the full show on Artsy. Thanks so stopping by!

A Fresh Collection of Original Artworks at OAK

4/16/2021

What's the saying? If you buy from a small-business, a person does a happy dance? Well, in this case, it's too women! Gayle and I have been collaborating for some time now and what a lovely experience it's been. Definitely make your way to @oaktheshop in Kensington, MD. Come stroll through the town, and enjoy a nice selection of fashions and gifts at this cute store. A lovely new display of my watercolors on yupo is available (the pieces are originals, matted and framed; $21-32).

Unique Masks Anyone?

4/13/2021

Large Abstracts in Greenbelt, Maryland

4/10/2021

Find My Original Heart Paintings on Yupo at Home, Heart, and Soul in North Carolina

4/8/2021

New Collection of RADOST Scarves at The Muse

4/3/2021

What a fun day today was! I went to Frederick, MD, with a friend. We went to four art galleries, ate yummy food, walked around town, and... stopped at @musefrederick (19 N Market St)! Sumner, the owner, is lovely. I finally got to meet her in person. Yay! She picked a fresh new collection of my RADOST scarves for her shop. We also added a nice new set of my hearts on yupo. Shop small. It matters. And we all thank you for your support.

April Art Workshops Are Up On The Website!

4/2/2021

Need a creative break? Fill your days with colorful fun! I am offering a variety of Zoom watercolor workshops. No experience needed. Sign up on my website (Shop => Art Workshops) or DM to register. All workshops are meditative with focus on self-discovery and insight. Basic watercolor supplies required. . Here is the link to the tickets.

April 7 at 7pm EST: Abstract Self-Portrait in Watercolors
April 12 at 7pm EST: Abstracts Inspired by Amanda Gorman's Poetry
April 13 at 10:30am EST: Pablo Picasso's Flowers in Watercolors
April 28 at 7pm EST: Arthur Wesley Dow's Boat in Watercolors

April 10: Dupont Circle Pop-up

3/28/2021

Yay! Come see me in person! Dupont Circle Pop-up is my first in-person event of 2021 and I can't wait to share my RADOST scarves and paintings. Stop by Dupont Circle on Saturday, April 10th from 12:00-5:00 p.m. You will find unique items from 50 artists and makers who will sell their wares outside around Dupont Circle along P Street and Connecticut Avenue. @dupont_circle_main_streets pop-ups will be in front of retail stores. Social distancing protocols will be in place so you can meet the artists and visit your favorite retailers safely.

I am Listed on the Maryland State Arts Council's Website

3/22/2021

I am honored to have a profile on the Maryland State Arts Council's website. Stop by this cool registry of Maryland artists.