There is something about a round canvas that keeps drawing me back. Unlike the familiar rectangle or square, a circle has no beginning or end. It invites the eye to wander gently, discovering flowers, leaves, and colors without the boundaries that usually guide a composition. My newest additions to the Healing Garden series are painted in acrylic on round canvases, and I found myself embracing this shape from the very first brushstroke. I painted a subtle "frame" around each piece, giving them the feeling of a framed artwork.

Nature has a remarkable way of staying with us long after we experience it. At least, that's what always happens to me. I have so many treasured memories of places I have visited. My newest trio of paintings in the Healing Gardens series celebrates some of these places.

Healing Garden #108: This one is inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, USA. Walking through its lush landscapes with a dear friend, I found myself slowing down to really notice my surroundings and slow down. 

Healing Garden #104: It is inspired by a garden in the small Czech village, a place I have never visited. Instead, my aunt sent me a photograph of her beautiful garden there. We don't always have to experience a place firsthand for it to touch us. 

Healing Garden #103: Inspired by Prague, my hometown, this one is a reminder to look for nature in cities. Gardens, parks, side streets. Creating this piece became another way of carrying a small part of Prague back to my studio.

More than twenty years ago, I bought this frog sculpture. At the time, it was silver, and I doubt I gave much thought to how long it would remain part of my life. Yet here we are, decades later, and the frog is still with me.
Over the years, the frog has lived in different homes. What makes it interesting to me is that it has never stayed exactly the same. Every so often, I decide it needs a new look. Out comes the spray paint, and the frog emerges in a different color—sometimes bright and cheerful, sometimes more subdued. The shape remains familiar, but its appearance shifts with time.
Recently, as I looked at the frog in its last bright pink color, I realized it reminds me a lot of my art practice. My relationship with art has been one of the most constant parts of my life. It has accompanied me through moves, career changes, friendships, travels, celebrations, and challenges. Like the frog, it has always been there. And like the frog, it has changed.
When I first began painting, I approached the creative process differently than I do today. My interests have evolved. My techniques have expanded. The subjects that capture my attention have shifted. Yet beneath all those changes is the same curiosity that drew me to art in the first place. Let's see what happens next! To the frog and in my art practice!

I recently completed a commissioned painting that was a true delight from beginning to end. My client reached out with a collection of photographs from her garden. Together, we discussed the flowers she enjoyed and selected a color palette that felt meaningful to her. I always enjoy collaborating with collectors because each commission becomes a conversation between their vision and my artistic process.

As the painting developed, I found myself trying two approaches that were new to me. Usually, I create a composition based on a single reference photograph, but for this piece I worked from two different garden images. I selected floral shapes from each photograph and combined them into one harmonious composition. The process allowed me to create relationships between flowers that had not originally grown together, resulting in a design that felt both balanced and dynamic. Another surprise emerged in the background. I often use dots in a single color to add movement and texture, but this time I experimented with three different colors. The result was far more energetic and playful than I anticipated. 

Another lovely aspect of this commission was the experience of creating it. The warm weather drew both me and the canvas outside to a shady corner of my backyard. There, accompanied by fresh air and an audiobook, I spent hours immersed in the painting process. It felt like a small retreat. I am grateful to my client for trusting me with her vision and for inspiring me to explore new possibilities in my work. This commission not only resulted in a finished painting but also opened the door to creative discoveries that I look forward to carrying into future artworks.

Healing Garden #105

Follow me on Instagram at @radostbymartinasestakova.

These two paintings—one rectangular, one circular—represent two directions a Healing Garden commission can take. While each piece is inspired by personal memories, meaningful places, beloved flowers, and the stories that connect us, the shape itself can create a very different feeling. The rectangle feels like a window into a garden, an invitation to step inside. The circle feels more intimate and reflective, like a cherished memory held close. Both formats are available for custom commissions, and I love collaborating with collectors to create artwork that honors a special person, place, or experience. I'm curious: which shape speaks to you more—the rectangle or the circle? Let me know in the comments.

Three paintings from my Healing Garden series have found a beautiful new home in California. One of the pieces was created as a commission, while the other two were selected from my online collection. It was such a joy to connect with the collector throughout the process and to see how these paintings now bring color, calm, and meaning to her living space. Moments like these remind me how art continues its journey long after it leaves my studio, becoming part of someone else's daily life. Thank you for welcoming my art into your home. See more Healing Garden artworks HERE. 

You are invited to join public art workshops at Washington Metro Oasis in Bethesda, Md. Call or email Oasis to register: 240-800-3745 or [email protected]. My new newsletter - Your RADOST News - which comes out on the 1st of each month will have links to registration once they become available. 

Oasis is located at Macy’s Home Store (2nd floor), 7125 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817 and is open Monday-Thursday (10am-4pm). 

A few years ago, I gifted this 4x6" original acrylic ink on Yupo to a dear friend. She just recently sent this lovely photo: my artwork got a new home in this beautiful golden frame! I am delighted. @radostbymartinasestakova

One of the greatest joys of being an artist is creating work that becomes deeply meaningful to someone else. I had the pleasure of working with a collector in California on a custom painting for my Healing Garden series, and the experience was memorable from beginning to end. From our first conversation, the process felt warm, collaborative, and inspiring. We exchanged ideas, discussed colors and emotions, and explored what she hoped the painting would bring to her home. I always enjoy commissions because they invite me into another person's life, but this project felt especially personal.

My collector shared an inspiration photograph of a rose from her grandfather's garden. As soon as I saw it, I felt an immediate connection. I grew up surrounded by gardens, and my own grandmother grew beautiful roses. Some of my happiest childhood memories are tied to flowers, colors, and the quiet beauty of nature. Knowing that this rose carried family memories for my collector added a layer of meaning to the creative process. In a way, the painting became a bridge between generations, honoring both her family history and my own memories.

I have a sewing studio in my home in Kensington, MD. And I am fortunate to have a great sewing machine: a gift from a friend. Built like a tank, heavy, and fantastic, baby-blue Singer. I had it serviced some time ago and the repair person commented about how great the machine was. I am lucky to have a tool that helps me create my RADOST scarves for you!

I just added Healing Garden #94 to my online shop. It's a lovely pieces: a round 10" canvas. Just the perfect addition to a lonely wall. It's got two personal aspects that I enjoy about it. First, it's inspired by a photo my friend sent to me some time ago. We often exchange images of flowers in our gardens. This lily of the valley took three years to bloom. I can see my friend being overjoyed seeing the dainty blooms. Second, this used to be my grandmother's favorite flower. I have such fond memories of the blooms in her garden in Prague. So, of course, I had to paint it! And here we are with the new Healing Garden. 

My process is to take a look at the photograph and capture some of the most evident shapes in pencil on canvas. Then, I select a variety of markers - I often just reach into the bin with my eyes closed and see what pops up. Then, I color in the shapes and add dots all around the outlined areas. The last level is to add patterns all over the work in complimenting or contrasting colors. Such a flow in the process. I love it! 

Thank you for your generous support of my work. It's so lovely to share my Healing Garden paintings with you. I also appreciate when you let me know how they are now adding joy to your home. So many wonderful ideas! Wall turned into original art showcases. Yay! You can shop Healing Garden series HERE.

I have designed over a 100 different textile patterns for my collection of RADOST scarves. It's so much fun to play with colors, shapes, and textures, and provide you options to shop by color or by the story behind each scarf. Do you enjoy black-and-white patterns or do you have a favorite color? Here is just a tiny selection. Take a look online and treat yourself to a lovely addition to your accessories.