We recently connected with Martina Sestakova and have shared our conversation below.
Martina, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I hold two major values in my life: being curious and worthy of new experiences. These two values has played out well in my life. Even in complex situations, I can pause and think, “Hmm, this is interesting. Where is this going to lead?” No matter what happens, I end up with a new experience. As an artist, I share my work with the public and not always are people interested in what I do. Thus, it’s not always pleasant and easy but I do feel like my confidence and self-esteem stem from this interest in learning and wanting to live a life filled with cool moments. I can keep creating with an open heart and eyes.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Martina Sestakova and I am a native of the Czech Republic. I have lived in the United States for over 20 years and after a career in clinical trials and a masters degree in fashion design, I switched my focus to owning a small business: RADOST. I have always been creating something: gardening with my grandmother, cooking with my mother, sewing outfits for my dolls, drawing greeting cards. But as it sometimes happen: I kind of forgot about all of this while pursuing my college degrees and working a full time office job. I decided to go back to school, which has ultimately changed my life leading my to what I do now. I started my company about 8 years ago with focus on textile design: I have a line of scarves that are sold at a variety of venues. That expanded to selling my abstract paintings, which are often the basis of my fabric patterns. And that then expanded into leading private and public art workshops.
Currently, I design fabrics that I turn into scarves and necklaces. My scarves have been featured at the American Art Museum and Smithsonian National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. It’s so wonderful to have a supportive clientele. People sometimes called me ‘the scarf lady.’
I paint abstract artworks (and complete commissions) in acrylic inks on Yupo. These works are inspired by my love of words: they become titles of my paintings and I captured their perceived meanings through colors, shapes, and a sense of movement on the surface. My newest series – Embodiment – focuses on our body’s capacity to always remain in the present while our mind roams the past or constructs the future. I love colors!
Also, I lead classes in retirement communities and non-profits. All of these activities are a lot of fun and I get to do a range of things during each day. I love story-telling – that’s at the core of all of my work – and it’s great to write short stories that accompany each textile and each painting. Art workshops are an amazing way to connect with others and heal and explore our potential.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I feel like my everyday life – personal and professional – draws on a lot of skills I have picked up in college and work. While those skills may not have been very fun at the moment, they are helping me live a simple yet lovely life.
First, I find being trustworthy goes a very long way. It allows me to believe in my ideas and actions and it builds positive relationships with my friends, family, and clients. Second, if I need to get something done or focus, I make sure I am not distracted. My work includes tons of interesting things: creating, shopping for new art tools, sewing, designing, etc. But I always do my own accounting, all of my client communications, inventory tracking… It can add up to a busy and long day but focusing well has helped me a lot. Third, I value patience. It’s so exciting to create something new – a new scarf design or a painting – and hope it will be accepted by the public promptly and with positivity. Well… sometimes things take time. I find being patient takes away the edge of having to ‘get things done’ and it’s just a kinder way of living.
As for advice, I think one needs to take time to learn about what works for them. What’s exciting for me may be a stressor for another. Once you have a sense of yourself, you can really clear out what does not belong and get your work done in a pleasant manner.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I enjoy connecting with others so a collaboration is always welcome. I love commissions: I find meeting new people thrilling and I learn from their views on art and turning a house into a home. We chat about colors and lifestyles and come up with new ways to add joy to their walls. In terms of art education, you can join my no-experience-needed art classes in public and private settings, organizations, businesses, and retirement communities. Its really nice to explore your creative side and unique perspective in insightful workshops. If you are interested in a commission or a private art workshop, contact me via email: connect@radostbymartinasestakova.com. I will be happy to share details! In the meantime, venture over to my website: https://www.radostbymartinasestakova.com/. Thanks for stopping by!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radostbymartinasestakova.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radostbymartinasestakova/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radostbymartinasestakova
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-sestakova
- Other: Art page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinasestakovaart/ Newsletter sign-up: https://www.radostbymartinasestakova.com/ Public and private classes: https://www.radostbymartinasestakova.com/classes.html
Image Credits
Jordan Snyder and Martina Sestakova