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Exploring in colors energizes me. What about you? I am working on fabric, playing with shapes and textures, building visual stories around words that inspire me. Working in progress - a late-night painting. My studio was quiet and I had this lovely space to paint and enjoy the end of the day. More on my website under the Art tab. Original abstract watercolor painting on cotton. Series: “Sculpted Painting”.
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Oh, the pleasures of creative exploration. My latest series of works: sculpted paintings! Painted directly on cotton, manipulated into 3d folds, frozen in time ... And of course, overflowing with colors! Eight works are on display at Oasis Art Gallery in Bethesda, MD. “Diving into Deep Waters” is sold. The show is up until mid-August. Hop over to check out artworks by several local artists.
Great things happening! I got to see the display of my scarves and blouses at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery! It's all soooooooo lovely. Shiny and sparkly. I am one of several local artists featured at the gift shop. If you have a chance, stop by and enjoy the crafts.
Another lovely art class at the Kensington Row Bookshop is in the books: "Let’s Get Artsy with Words: Mary Oliver's World." I love Mary Oliver and her poems evoking the complexity of our human experience in simple terms: through fauna and floral. My students enjoyed reading "Wild Geese," "Today," and "Breakage" and created series of abstract watercolors using these poems as inspiration. Mary Oliver would be proud! 
Happy Monday! Here we go with #12 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's video is all about scarves that celebrate the color green. Enjoy! I am happy to report that my new class at VisArts in Rockville, MD, was a success! My students really enjoyed "3D Floral Collage in Watercolors." We had fun exploring collaging through the use of torn watercolor paper and creating intricate floral imagery. A few touches of vibrant watercolors et voila! Beautiful art for the soul.
A little note from a customer of mine. It's all about gifting meaningful ideas ...   I am enjoying the cute town of m Kensington, MD, where I moved last year. And as you know, I love to explore in colors. So ... a new scarf with a sketch of the local train station is available at @galaartisans for you to enjoy. Hop over to this fun shop and support local artisans.
What a delightful way to spend the day! I got to teach two art classes. I am always energized by meeting new people and introducing them to fun ways to create art. My first class was at a retirement community in Rockville. A group of 10 residents - in their 80s and 90s - learning about figure painting. Some of them came in saying, "I have never done this!" and ended up leaving with, "This was fun!". We worked in watercolor on yupo paper - what a cool medium - and each students ended up with a unique piece of art.  My second class took place at VisArts. Again, working in watercolor but this time in an abstract manner. Teaching "Abstract Art: Watercolor Collage" is one of my favorite as I love abstraction and colors. This class has a unique approach to collaging and I invite you to check out VisArt's July calendar for more.
My customer, Joan, recently received her new pillow cover. I designed this fabric based on my love for water: it celebrates the ongoing flow of waves on the Chesapeake Bay. Joan had this to say about it ... "Got to see the pillow cover you made! Wow! I love it! I didn’t realize how the fabric was going to be and I am so happy with it! It is so soft! Your designs are beautiful."  Oh, delightful poetry. I lead an abstract watercolor workshop at @visartscenter that just warmed up my heart. We read poems by Mary Oliver: how powerful! We shared stories, explored ideas behind abstract art, had a good time Flip through the pix: sharing is at the core of these. I tell you: art making is pretty cool.
 Happy Monday! Here we go with #11 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's story is an ode to the beauty of nature. Enjoy! Guess what?! I won 3rd place in abstracts at Creative Expressions 2019! Woohoo. Yay. You can see this @maaartists show until June 30 at the Friendship Heights Village Center in Chevy Chase, MD. I am honored Gaby Mizes, registrar of @glenstonemuseum, choose my painting for this award. For a full listing of winners, click here.
 Ooh, I got to curate a wall at the Adah Rose Gallery! Yeah, a delightful new experience. See a note from the wonderful Adah Rose ... "The lovely and talented @martinasestakovaart just finished curating a gallery wall for “Charmed, I’m Sure” our ever rotating summer show. Swipe for a second image of the delightful curator. Please stop by to see this beautiful and exciting group of paintings and the wonderful connections Martina made. @annepundyk @gabebrownstudio @rashalison @edward.holland @patgoslee @helodali For more information ... www.artsy.net/adah-rose-gallery Founded in 2011, Adah Rose Gallery shows Contemporary Art in rotating exhibitions. www.adahrosegallery.com 
Air conditioning has you shivering? Grab a scarf at Red Orchard in Bethesda. I recently stopped by with a lovely selection of my lightweight @radostbymartinasestakova scarves. They will add color to your day (you know they each have a story, right?) and stop your neck from getting stiff from the cold at the office ... Do you own this scarf? Let me know how you like it in the comments. Would love to hear from you.  Do you like small pieces of original art? 🎨 I am always impressed with large pieces but continually find myself drawn to small formats, such as 4 x 6 inches. There is something about painting small and being drawn to the intricate details one can achieve with watercolors on yupo. I just delivered a new collection of my paintings to @oaktheshop in Kensington, MD. They totally match the lovely colors Gayle is carrying in her shop! Stop by to see for yourself.
Happy Monday! Here we go with #10 in the series of videos in which I introduce you to my RADOST scarves and the stories behind them. Today's story is full of personal discoveries! Enjoy! Who knew?! My original textiles fit right in with robotic arms, computer programming, STEM efforts ... I had a great time at the Maker Faire NOVA in Fairfax, VA, on June 2. So many curious people. Great conversations about process and creativity.
And ... drumroll! Stop by the Davis Library in Bethesda, MD, and check out a colorful exhibition about my RADOST scarves, abstract watercolors, and get info about the art classes I teach in the area. The show is up in June. Snap a pic of your favorite scarf and post it to the comments. I am loving this lime green in the display cabinets. Could be an idea for another scarf!
June is pretty much here and so are new classes at VisArts in Rockville, MD. Take a look below at four different workshops (no experience needed for any of them!). I am really looking forward to teaching them. Abstract art is a wonderful way to explore colors, shapes, and textures, and to learn interesting creative techniques. I promise you will have fun! Hop over to VisArts website and sign up (bring a friend along!). June 11 at 7pm: Abstract Watercolor (Inspired by Poetry) June 13 at 7pm: From Photograph to Abstract Watercolor June 14 at 7pm: Abstract Art (Watercolor Collage) June 17 at 7pm: 3D Floral Collage in Watercolors VisArts is at 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD 20850. Parking is easy and free for 2 hours with validation.  There is something special about handwritten notes, isn’t there? I have a notebook that I got when I first started my company- RADOST- in 2016. It’s filled with notes, pictures, and every card I have received from a customer. Indeed, there are online reviews and ratings but these are just precious. I am grateful to be able to share my ideas through textiles, art classes, and paintings, and make kind and supportive connections that can be captured in notes like these. Do you have any cards or letters you cherish? Let me know in the comments.  I had the pleasure of teaching two classes today (at two different retirement communities). Lovely afternoon spent creating and chatting the day away. In my first class - a watercolor painting class - we enjoyed the colors of a succulent plant. And it must be a thing: my students often end up painting their paintings in the colors reflected in their clothing ... I guess we all indeed have a set of colors we love. In my second class, we created a collage out of small strips of watercolor paper, painted these, and ended up with delightful floral artworks. My students are in their 80s and 90s and are unstoppable: their curiosity inspires me. So grateful for these opportunities.
I just recently posted about a t-shirt pillow project I completed. And here we go with another one! And another one is in the works ... This pillow cover was a challenge (a good one at that). It consists of a lot of (and I mean a lot) small logos. I spent time arranging them so visually the cover would be balanced in terms of colors and shapes. So fun!  I recall being nervous driving up to Frederick to introduce myself to Whitney who owns @musefrederick. I heard of this gift shop, applied online, and found myself in the car heading north. And what a great experience it has been! Whitney is so supportive of her fellow artists and crafters. She features my RADOST scarves at her cool store and we have also designed scarves that celebrate the cuteness of this town. Can you see the spires and the city skyline? Yeah, I found a good spot on the top of a parking garage to snap a few photos... We have done pop-ups and craft parties... Another art workshop is scheduled for September so mark your calendar and join in on the fun. We will look into turning meaningful messages into abstract watercolor collages. Details are on my Facebook page under Events.
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