Author Archives: Mary Ahern

The Start Of My Artistic Journey 50 Years Ago

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

My first step towards discovering that my life’s work would be an artistic journey was buying a Jon Gnagy, Learn to Draw set and experiencing a sensation that the charcoal was an extension of my hand, my arm and my body. It was thrilling!

The Original Jon Gnagy, Learn to Draw set

After completing his entire set of drawing lessons, I decided to take painting classes at the local YMCA where I lived at the time in Queens, NY. So, I arranged for a babysitter, signed up for the oil painting class and made my first foray into Jerry’s Artarama art supply store with my supply shopping list in hand. How electrifying to be exposed to so many wonderful and exciting new products, widgets, thingies, colors, brushes, papers and canvas. Oh, the possibilities!

READ MORE on The Art Blog

 

News About my Art, Exhibitions, Events & Social Media Posts

Mary Ahern Artist

This Is What I’ve Been Talking About on Instagram Lately

On Instagram, I write about my life as an artist. Behind the scenes in the studio, preparing for art exhibitions, marketing opportunities, my garden inspirations, artist friends and my artistic journey.

You can follow all my posts here or follow me on Instagram. I also post to Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads and YouTube.

 
Mary Ahern Artist

maryahern

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My Art Starts in the Garden

I met a hero of mine from the 1970s, Audrey Flack. At 92 she is still inspiring me as an artist & as a human being. She`s in the current show at the Southampton Arts Center, Heroines of Abstract Expressionism and I attended her talk there. You can read about her in my new Art Blog post online at https://MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog⁠
⁠
You won`t be disappointed!⁠
Media Description: Audrey Flack at the Southampton Arts Center

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I met a hero of mine from the 1970s, Audrey Flack. At 92 she is still inspiring me as an artist & as a human being. She's in the current show at the Southampton Arts Center, Heroines of Abstract Expressionism and I attended her talk there. You can read about her in my new Art Blog post online at https://MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog⁠ ⁠ You won't be disappointed!⁠ Media Description: Audrey Flack at the Southampton Arts Center

I met a hero of mine from the 1970s, Audrey Flack. At 92 she is still inspiring me as an artist & as a human being. She`s in the current show at the Southampton Arts Center, Heroines of Abstract Expressionism and I attended her talk there. You can read about her in my new Art Blog post online at https://MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog⁠
⁠
You won`t be disappointed!⁠
Media Description: Audrey Flack at the Southampton Arts Center ...

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Well, here we go again. A new canvas ready for another adventure. I wonder how this journey will turn out. What do you think? Flower? Many flowers? Floral Bouquet? Garden? Landscape?

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Well, here we go again. A new canvas ready for another adventure. I wonder how this journey will turn out. What do you think? Flower? Many flowers? Floral Bouquet? Garden? Landscape?

Well, here we go again. A new canvas ready for another adventure. I wonder how this journey will turn out. What do you think? Flower? Many flowers? Floral Bouquet? Garden? Landscape? ...

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Whenever I need inspiration and my garden is not providing it, I head over to one of my wholesalers to soak in the miracle of propagation and growth. Just smelling the soil in these greenhouses puts me in the right mood. Where do you find your inspiration?

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Whenever I need inspiration and my garden is not providing it, I head over to one of my wholesalers to soak in the miracle of propagation and growth. Just smelling the soil in these greenhouses puts me in the right mood. Where do you find your inspiration?

Whenever I need inspiration and my garden is not providing it, I head over to one of my wholesalers to soak in the miracle of propagation and growth. Just smelling the soil in these greenhouses puts me in the right mood. Where do you find your inspiration? ...

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My late season chrysanthemums always make me happy. The blossoms would be bigger if I followed the custom of pinching out multiple blooms so the remainder become huge. I, on the other hand, am happy to have smaller ones but have more flowers to enjoy. These are already a week old in my livingroom so that`s another great benefit of growing them. Don`t they just cheer up the room they`re dancing in!

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My late season chrysanthemums always make me happy. The blossoms would be bigger if I followed the custom of pinching out multiple blooms so the remainder become huge. I, on the other hand, am happy to have smaller ones but have more flowers to enjoy. These are already a week old in my livingroom so that's another great benefit of growing them. Don't they just cheer up the room they're dancing in!

My late season chrysanthemums always make me happy. The blossoms would be bigger if I followed the custom of pinching out multiple blooms so the remainder become huge. I, on the other hand, am happy to have smaller ones but have more flowers to enjoy. These are already a week old in my livingroom so that`s another great benefit of growing them. Don`t they just cheer up the room they`re dancing in! ...

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This amazing azalea Milestone has been blooming now for weeks with magenta flowers. This plant is about 20-plus years old and has just started doing this late-season reblooming for the past few years. This beautiful golden fall leaf color with the magenta splashes of blossoms is such an incredible sight. In the spring it blooms at the same time as the Bleeding Heart that is planted in close proximity and the colors are completely different and just as heartening. ⁠

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This amazing azalea Milestone has been blooming now for weeks with magenta flowers. This plant is about 20-plus years old and has just started doing this late-season reblooming for the past few years. This beautiful golden fall leaf color with the magenta splashes of blossoms is such an incredible sight. In the spring it blooms at the same time as the Bleeding Heart that is planted in close proximity and the colors are completely different and just as heartening. ⁠

This amazing azalea Milestone has been blooming now for weeks with magenta flowers. This plant is about 20-plus years old and has just started doing this late-season reblooming for the past few years. This beautiful golden fall leaf color with the magenta splashes of blossoms is such an incredible sight. In the spring it blooms at the same time as the Bleeding Heart that is planted in close proximity and the colors are completely different and just as heartening. ⁠ ...

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While working in my studio, I went outside to do something & when I turned around to go back I looked up and saw how bright and welcoming my studio is upstairs in my home. I`m so fortunate to have the space to create my artwork right where I want it, in my home surrounded by my gardens. Like my work, my life is relatively minimalist. I enjoy not having unlived in spaces where every inch around me speaks to me and guides my work and my passions. I have deep gratitude for this in my life.

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While working in my studio, I went outside to do something & when I turned around to go back I looked up and saw how bright and welcoming my studio is upstairs in my home. I'm so fortunate to have the space to create my artwork right where I want it, in my home surrounded by my gardens. Like my work, my life is relatively minimalist. I enjoy not having unlived in spaces where every inch around me speaks to me and guides my work and my passions. I have deep gratitude for this in my life.

While working in my studio, I went outside to do something & when I turned around to go back I looked up and saw how bright and welcoming my studio is upstairs in my home. I`m so fortunate to have the space to create my artwork right where I want it, in my home surrounded by my gardens. Like my work, my life is relatively minimalist. I enjoy not having unlived in spaces where every inch around me speaks to me and guides my work and my passions. I have deep gratitude for this in my life. ...

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Just cut these chrysanthemums from my garden. They make me so happy! Hope flowers do that for you too.

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Just cut these chrysanthemums from my garden. They make me so happy! Hope flowers do that for you too.

Just cut these chrysanthemums from my garden. They make me so happy! Hope flowers do that for you too. ...

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I had a virtual Judy Chicago visit in my studio while I was painting the other day. A live interview with her was streaming on my Ipad while I was painting on the easel. Read my article about this experience in the latest issue of Sanctuary Magazine. You`ll love it!⁠
Judy doesn`t know it but she`s been an inspiration to me since I was introduced to her work in the 1970s. That we`re both still active artists is such a miracle considering all the obstacles life has put in the path of our journeys. Her retrospective is now showing at the New Museum & I`m looking forward to seeing it soon. Her photo was taken by Donald Woodman.

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I had a virtual Judy Chicago visit in my studio while I was painting the other day. A live interview with her was streaming on my Ipad while I was painting on the easel. Read my article about this experience in the latest issue of Sanctuary Magazine. You'll love it!⁠ Judy doesn't know it but she's been an inspiration to me since I was introduced to her work in the 1970s. That we're both still active artists is such a miracle considering all the obstacles life has put in the path of our journeys. Her retrospective is now showing at the New Museum & I'm looking forward to seeing it soon. Her photo was taken by Donald Woodman.

I had a virtual Judy Chicago visit in my studio while I was painting the other day. A live interview with her was streaming on my Ipad while I was painting on the easel. Read my article about this experience in the latest issue of Sanctuary Magazine. You`ll love it!⁠
Judy doesn`t know it but she`s been an inspiration to me since I was introduced to her work in the 1970s. That we`re both still active artists is such a miracle considering all the obstacles life has put in the path of our journeys. Her retrospective is now showing at the New Museum & I`m looking forward to seeing it soon. Her photo was taken by Donald Woodman. ...

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Art of the Bloom. Exhibition at The Art Guild in Port Washington

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

Art of the Bloom

Juried  Exhibition at

The Art Guild
Elderfields Preserve
200 Port Washington Blvd.
Manhasset, NY 11030

On View: September 10-30, 2023

Email: info@theartguild.org

P. 516.304.5797

Flowers have historically been a source of inspiration for artists and designers around the world, from Claude Monet to Andy Warhol. Floral imagery can evoke a wide range of emotions and moods, from the boldness of a daisy to the quietness of a water lily. See how these artists interpret and represent The Art of the Bloom in their work.

Disco Belle Hibiscus. Oil Painting by the artist, Mary Ahern

Disco Belle Hibiscus. 16×16 Oil on Cradled Wood.

 

New Garden Blog Post – The Woodland Garden Reveals

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

My idea of the garden I wanted to create around my new home when I bought it in 1989, was a place to immerse myself, not a garden to be admired while sitting on the deck. I had no particular plan that I imagined. Instead, I let the woodland speak to me.

This woodland was filled with poison ivy, invasive vines, thorns and many broken branches and limbs when it called to me. Together for over three decades, it and I have worked to create a woodland garden for meditation. This is the journey.

 

READ MORE…

Art Blog Post – This Artist’s Dilemma. Storage.

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

So I’m standing in my studio basking in the golden warmth of just having completed my one month Solo Exhibition which filled three rooms in an historic mansion at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. I’d worked for years creating new work for this prestigious opportunity. And now the show was over, the work still owned by me was taken down from the walls, packaged protectively and transported to my home studio. I looked around me surrounded by all this new artwork. I remembered the journey of discovery as so many new ideas had begun to seep into my new work over time.

As I stood there looking around me with contentment at these 40 new artworks, a cold wave of concern trickled into my mind. Where would I put all my art? I’m a minimalist by nature. I can’t stand clutter and now every surface in my two room studio is covered with piles of work. Canvases are stacked, leaning against the walls. All the walls in my studio and home are already full. A sense of claustrophobia was rapidly taking hold. The warm glow I’d been feeling turned a cold blue.

I needed to immediately take action.

READ MORE!

 

Let It Grow. Art Exhibition at The Flushing Bank

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

The National Association of Women Artists
in Collaboration With The Flushing Bank

Are bringing a Seasonal Focus to the concept for this in-person exhibition.

Enjoy the buoyant color and interpretation of the season by a variety of Fine Artists.

“Let It Grow!”
Now through October 5, 2023
Visit the Flushing Bank at the Park Avenue South Branch
225 Park Ave South
New York, NY 10003

There is a sense of joy, excitement, and awe when nature or human relations are nurtured through caring and kindness to allow everything to flourish and grow. This theme reflects the focus of both of these historic organizations. The National Association of Women Artists, as the first women’s fine arts organization established in the US, has been helping women artists grow by empowering them to expand their vision. This theme of growth also serves as the guiding force behind the efforts of the Flushing Bank in support of the needs of its customers. There is a synergy in these efforts.

Petersen's Garden by the artist, Mary Ahern

Petersen’s Garden. 24×36″ Embellished Giclée on Canvas

Garden Blog Post – Overwintering My Summer Tropical Garden

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

Overwintering My Summer Tropical Garden is now posted on my garden blog.

I wrote about how I converted my darkroom into a plant room with sinks, counters and LED lighting.. I show a four month sequence of photos from my plant room to the deck where the plants spend their summer vacation.

Read more here..

June 6, 2023 Deck Plantings

Read about how I overwinter my tropical garden on my Garden Blog Here.

The Big Picture 2023 at the Art League of Long Island

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

At this year’s Big Picture Exhibition, six Signature Members of the National Association of Women Artists were juried into the show. This is an incredible achievement since 94 artists submitted 214 images, out of which 36 works were selected to be exhibited by Juror, Simon Levenson. This is yet one more indication of the quality of the NAWA Signature members. 

ALLI
107 East Deer Park Rd
Dix Hills NY 11746

Check for Gallery Hours: p. 631-462-5400 Email: info@artleagueli.org

 

Signature Members of the National Association of Women Artists.

NAWA Signature Members at the ALLI Big Picture Show l-r:   Karen Kirshner, Eileen Shaloum, Mary Ahern, Susan Rostan, Pam Waldroup and Constance Sloggatt Wolf.

 

Huntington Arts Council Members Showcase Exhibition June 2023

Mary Ahern Artist Posted on by

The annual HAC Members Showcase Exhibition is an opportunity to see the diversity and depth of creative work by the individual member artists in the enormously creative community of Huntington NY. 

213 Main Street
Huntington NY 11743

June 9th – July 14th 2023

Reception: June 9th, 2023 4:00- 7:00 pm

Click here for the HAC Website

Bio: Mary Ahern is a classically trained artist who works in both digital and traditional mediums. Her work, which is inspired by her garden, invokes spiritual and philosophical questions beyond the canvas.

Statement: As a passionate gardener, my art is as intricately entwined as the gardens surrounding my studio. The lessons learned from the garden permeate my work.
With boldness in color & scale my art summons, with seeming simplicity, the complex questions of existence and purpose. These flowers represent a microcosm of the universe in their families and community as well as their quest for survival, eventual senescence and rebirth.

With a duality of macro and micro vision, my flowers invite the viewer to see, larger than life, the intricacy and purpose of their existence. And in their boldness, I suggest a contemplation of their relevance and ours in the social order of our universe.

Phantasm - Coral Sunset Peony

Phantasm – Coral Sunset Peony. Oil on Canvas GW. 36×36″. $5,000.