A friend recently mentioned that our bodies renew our cells completely every 7 years. Not sure if this relates to one's artistic practice, but here I am with a brand new series. There have been all kinds of developments in my personal and professional life and I can tell you: I am excited! Let me introduce the "Healing Garden" series to you. 

I am known for my abstract watercolors on Yupo. I love working in acrylic inks exploring the power of color, form, and textures through movement on the paper. Hundreds of paintings later, I have a body of work to my name. Yet, one wouldn't really be an artist without exploring new ideas, right? A fellow artist has inspired me to play: grab a piece of paper and see what happens. Well, here we go: these colorful imaginary paintings with hundreds of marks took shape with confidence. I would even say, I am a little surprised how powerfully they came into my life. 

Introducing flowers and marks into my practice may be coming out of nowhere but there is a story to all of this. I grew up in Prague in a beautiful garden my grandparents tended to. My grandmother, in particular, was a great gardener: her flowers were all over the garden and in vases in every room of the house. My grandmother was a great grandma: I have such vivid memories of her eyes looking at me, asking me to tell her about my day, making tea, sitting down, and truly being there for me. Her arms were always open to all of her grandchildren. She passed away 3 years ago and is dearly missed. But she lives on in my art and Healing Garden is an ode to her green thumb and love for her family. 

I am an avid walker (and sometimes a hiker) and snap photos of flowers all over the place. Memories come up so promptly: taking me back to the garden of my childhood but also to feeling safe in the world in gardens and other beautiful places. We all have the need to feel safe and gardens to me are often places of rest and respite. In this blog, I am sharing two examples of how I use a photo as inspiration and turned in into an intricate artwork filed with lines and patterns. Sometimes I reference the overall shape of a flower or just look at the composition of the photo to create a new set up on my paper. 

So, now you know about why flowers and gardens. What about the healing part of the name of this series? Gardens are inspiring to me. They are also restful to me: places to pause, to admire flowers and trees, to soak up the colors and aromas of the blooms. In my personal experience of taking care of my mental health, a sense of safety has been a huge theme and I am using these series to further my understanding of life while feeling safe inside in the world. I hope you find energy in these artworks: one that's exciting but also one, that is, indeed healing. 

Decorative Pillow Cover – Rain Drops - Turns out there is a world of magic in each rain droplet. After a rain storm not too long ago, I snapped a photo of rain drops resting on top of a table cover. They shimmered against the black surface and I was mesmerized by the texture and volume as I moved closer in with my camera. And then a few computer touches later, here we are with a pillow that celebrates the moment a rain drop has finished its trip from the sky and made our earth even more splendid. Shop HERE.

Breath-taking sculptures by Lisa Battle and mind-provoking photographs by the Studio Gallery members are highlighted at this gallery in Washington, DC (Oct  30 - Nov 23, 2024). I am honored to have curated these two exhibitions. What a delightful experience working with these artists and exploring ways to best showcase their artworks at 2108 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (Wed, Th, and Fr - 1pm-6pm * Sat - 11am-6pm). 

Interconnections 
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Lisa Battle presents a collection of sculptures, wall installations, and vases, in her Interconnections show. Lisa shares, "All living beings are connected and depend on each other and their environment to survive. In Greek philosophy, this idea was expressed as anima mundi -- an intrinsic connection between all living beings. In modern times, the Gaia hypothesis describes the Earth as a complex, self-regulating system where living organisms have a synergistic relationship with their environment. Being intertwined has profound implications in human relationships, on the international political stage, and for the survival of our planet. It is imperative for us to learn to coexist and to find balance. Installations in this exhibition highlight interactions between elements, evoking the extraordinary ecosystems that give us life and bind us together. The ceramic sculptures celebrate connectedness as a vision for a future in which the interdependence of humans and the natural world is prioritized."

Lisa and I arranged her sculptures in the show rooms to communicate a sense of ease. I hope you feel welcome in the gallery as you stroll through the space and experience the connections between the pieces and you as a viewer of these artworks. We worked together to highlight how pausing and a sense of motion coexist in Lisa's works. While working to best communicate the artist's message, I also observe my personal reactions to the works: there is so much beauty in Lisa's creations. I imagine her hands working on these pieces and her heart and mind diving deep into the theme. Her personal journey has allowed me to feel connected too: images of oceans, winds, and water came to mind. I thought of the need for rest as I observed light browns, blues, and greens. The textures in the glazes took me to sunlit paths in the woods. Lisa's theme and its execution are powerful and I hope you enjoy the show! Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.​

Something Old, Something New 
Photographic Art from Members of the Studio Gallery

Gallery member Jo Levine (shown with her photographs below), who organized this show, shared this group statement: "This show features photographic art created by members of the Studio Gallery. The theme challenged gallery members to try out new ideas. Artists took diverse approaches to the theme, such as using photo software to alter reality; switching to a different color palette or to black-and-white; choosing subjects new to them; creating photo collages; or combining digital technology with traditional media. However, language and art can be open to many interpretations. In this case, some members interpreted the theme to encompass photographic subjects that were themselves old or new (or both), such as colorful weathered sandstone, or old roots and new leaves." 

Participating artists: Bob Burgess, Judy Bonderman, Lynda Andrews-Barry, Amity Chan, Suzanne Goldberg, Suliman Abdullah, Gary Anthes, Beverly Logan, Leslie Kiefer, Jo Levine, Lisa Battle, Iwan Bagus, Susan Raines, Langley Spurlock, and Steven Marks.

While Lisa's exhibit focuses on diving deep into a theme, this photography show demonstrates the wonderful variety of human creativity. The photographers, as the group statement suggests, present many ways to interpret the topic. As a curator and an art viewer, I am impressed by this variety: it made me think of photography in new ways. Here are some of the innovative explorations the artists shared in their personal statements or while talking to me in terms of "something new, something old": decay and renewal, going new places, weathered natural surfaces, being inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem, focusing on black-and-white imagery, tearing up photos and incorporating them into paintings, highlighting social (in)justices and human rights, using old technology: hand gilding, using overlay, distortion, and composite imagery, focusing on light, delving into documentary photos, documenting struggle and peace, and building new artifacts out of old images. So many approaches! Each artist's display is accompanied by their statement and you will be able to appreciate their unique point of view. 

Check out the events related to these shows! I hope you feel moved, connected, and richer in mind and heart after seeing the works. Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.

Interested in working with me? I would love to learn about you and your art and assist in curating your upcoming art exhibition. Contact me for details. 

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 the basics behind watercolors and create a unique floral composition.

Many artworks have been created about the self. In this workshop, join art educator Martina Sestakova, in a visual exploration of your senses and what makes you a unique self. We will take a look at the works of artists such as Sonia Delaunay, Paul Klee, and Karel Appel, while we write, share, and work in watercolors. We will study up on abstract art and create a cool self-portrait. 

Enjoy a workshop of poetry reading and abstract painting with art educator Martina Sestakova. We will refer to poems and songs for inspiration for intuitive visual explorations. May words be interpreted through colors, shapes, and textures? Join in and see! You will explore the exciting interaction of words and watercolors in abstract compositions.

Intrigued with abstract art? Drawn to watercolor? Join art educator Martina Sestakova for a workshop, during which you get to create a unique collage. We will learn about basic watercolor techniques and explore ideas behind colors, shapes, and textures. Then, we will create a deeply meaningful collage through a fun creative process. 

Did you know flowers are the most popular theme in art? Join art educator Martina Sestakova for a workshop, during which we take a look at famous fabric patterns and create a series of our own small floral paintings in watercolors. We will play with colors, shapes, and textures and delve into basic watercolor techniques. Supplies: watercolors on paper.

Yay! My online shop has six new designs: I had a blast creating them and am happy to share them with you. What are they called? Luminosity, Blooms, Chirp Chirp, Embodiment, Gathering, and Burst of Energy. And of course, they each have a short story. Where are they? Right HERE. ​

Spring seems for many of us to be a time of change. Nature is waking up; we are coming out of our winter rest. Change can be hard but I hope these artworks showcase shifting one's life in its more whimsical side. The wall consists of abstract works with intriguing textures and colors and landscape-inspired paintings. Some of them are quiet; others grab out attention with their intense colors.  

And then, of course, we need the human for a change to take place. I selected artworks that overflow with magic (and a sense of subtle humor): moments of concentration (Taegan's apple picking), pondering, quiet (Nathan Mullins' figure walking on the rocks), but also those of intensity, such as a bed indicating sleepless nights, and intense energies (such as Kyujin Lee's artwork). It's like these artworks that depict people suggest, 'Yes, I am here but I am hard to catch (and capture). I am changing.' None of the figures are looking at us, the gallery visitors. They are rooted in their own privacy. And thus we have ours to appreciate what's in front of us. ​

SCARF SPECS
 
RADOST infinity scarves are crafted with much joy in the United States. Each scarf has a name and comes with a short story of inspiration to remind us of the good things in life. These scarves are lightweight, comfortable, and great for all seasons and occasions with a variety of styling options. 
 
RADOST scarves have been featured on Voice of America and at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Material: Lightweight crepe de chine (100% polyester)
Dimensions: 5.5" high x 25.5" wide (doubled over)
Care instructions: Hand wash cold and line dry; do not bleach
For best drape, hang on a hook
  
SHIPPING
 
All in-stock items are shipped within 3 to 5 business days via USPS (you will be provided a tracking number). If an item is out of stock, I will ship it out within 14 days. Need your order by a certain date? Is it a gift? Use the comments section of your order or contact me. 

​SHOP HERE! Thank you for your support of a woman-owned small business!

Yay! My art workshops at retirement communities are featured in the UPPERCASE magazine (Issue 59). It’s amazing to see the creative hands of my dear students (ages ranging from 85 to 97) in print (I mean, in creative action). ​