"In the Garden" art show is on view at the District Cafe in Kensington, MD. I am excited to share my Healing Garden series and also pastels by my student and friend, Tracy Whiteside. Our show runs through Oct 31 at 10540 Metropolitan Ave (Mon - Sat 7:30am through 2pm). Tracy is a resident of Knollwood in Washington, DC., and at 90-years-of-age shines bright with curiosity and passion for art. Enjoy the show!
I’m Martina Sestakova, a local artist based just a few blocks from District Cafe. I’m delighted to share my artwork with you. Through my small business, RADOST—which means "joy" in Czech—I explore creativity in three ways: wearable art, abstract paintings, and community art workshops. My work focuses on abstract expression, and I invite you to learn more about the series featured here by reading below. In addition to my studio practice, I teach art in retirement communities, where I bring the joy of creativity to others through engaging workshops and conversations. It’s a true joy to exhibit alongside my dear friend and fellow artist, Tracy Whiteside, a resident of Knollwood in Washington, DC. Over the years, Tracy and I have shared painting sessions, long lunches, and many meaningful conversations. Our shared love of flowers shines through in our work—both in subject and in spirit. We hope our art brings you as much joy as it brings us.
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Tracy Whiteside (b. 1934, Troy, North Carolina) discovered her love for art early on. In elementary school, she was often her teacher’s go-to student for classroom drawings—frequently invited to create artwork on the blackboard in front of her peers. Throughout her life, creativity has remained a constant. While living in Baltimore, she continued to nurture her artistic practice. A memorable trip to Japan left a lasting impression on her pottery, and one of her proudest moments was exhibiting her work at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. A seasoned traveler, Tracy often carried a sketchbook with her to capture the world as she experienced it. For the past 10 years, she has called Knollwood home, where she continues to create with passion and curiosity. When asked why she paints, she reflects: "It’s hard to explain—it’s just something I want to do. You’re walking down the street, and suddenly, you have to draw that!" While she primarily works in pastels, Tracy enjoys experimenting with a variety of media.
Martina Sestakova (b. 1981, Prague, Czech Republic) is a Kensington-based painter and art educator, working with residents at Knollwood Retirement Community. Her Healing Garden series features vibrant, abstract floral compositions that reflect the emotional sanctuary gardens provide—a place of joy, wonder, and safety. Inspired by fond memories of her grandmother’s garden in Prague, each painting blends vivid color and intricate pattern to evoke a sense of beauty, calm, and reflection. What began as a personal tribute to one cherished garden has grown into a series of meaningful conversations with family, friends, and neighbors about their own garden memories. In this way, the work transforms personal reflection into shared connection—and offers healing through the simple, powerful act of remembering.