This is my second studio space in my home. In the other, larger room I do my oil painting. In this one I do my dry media and sometimes watercolor. We have about 9 bookcases in the house. The three in my studios are my art books. The bookcases on the main floor are my overflow art books and also my gardening books. I`m a very lucky woman! What type of books do you collect? ...

Here`s a painting I made in 1975. Too many years ago, I donated it to PBS to be used in an auction to raise funds. I sure wish I knew where the painting ended up. It is a view of the Verrazano Bridge with the walkway that parallels the Belt Parkway. I bought real window molding, mitered the corners, and attached it to the canvas. The frame was painted in the same color scheme as the view outside the window to reflect neutrality rather than excitement and wonder. For years I drew windows since they both keep us protected but also isolate us. The 70s was a time of figuring out my life, who I was, and who I wanted to be. ...

Hubby Dave loves to buy plants for me a few days before Valentine`s Day since he knows I appreciate them more than cut flowers. He says that way, he doesn`t get the leftovers but gets the pick of the pack. When I got home from a garden club meeting this morning, I was surprised by this beautiful pot of primrose. He said they called to him, catching his eye as he wandered around the nursery. We both agree that they brightened up this winter day. He`s so right. They brightened up the day for both of us. He`s a very special person! ...

My artist page on the Ceres Website looks bright and cheerful in these winter dark times. I`m so happy that I`ve been juried into this NYC Chelsea based women`s feminist art gallery. It`s been an over 45 year goal of mine. Finally made it. Don`t ever give up! Put one foot in front of the other, even on days you don`t feel the inspiration and over time you will have made progress to your goals!⁠ ...

And here we go again. First painting of 2025 is on the easel with the first coat of underpainting. With three solo shows in 2025-2026 I will surely be very busy and I`m hoping you`ll stay along for the ride. I`m excited by all the possibilities that await our journey! Aren`t you!⁠
Media Description: Painting on easel in studio of the artist, Mary Ahern. ...

I have been keeping a journal every single day for years. Based upon the lessons I learned from Matthew Dicks and his Homework for Life, I found that writing each day helped me to recognize so much about who I am, what I do, and who and what I surround myself with. It helps me to appreciate each and every day of my life. I dropped the over 70,000 words from last year`s journal into the Wordcloud website, and it distilled my writing into this cool graphic. Each one of these words figured multiple times throughout the year. Each of them speaks to my heart and soul. What a great memory! ...

This gorgeous orange hibiscus is blooming on the shrub I bring indoors each fall to let it overwinter in the house. She goes outdoors again in the spring to spend the summer on my deck. It`s the plant that keeps giving. The succulent prints on the wall behind her are from my digital imaging series. They`re printed on canvas and framed in black wood. The gray matte is also digital, a great illusion that enhances the succulent images. ...

Great way to start the new year is buying evergreens for 50% off. They make me so happy in winter in their cheerful pots and then I plant them in the very early spring in my garden. Where they continue to make me happy. Thanks Home Depot. ...

The season is official now. My grandson CJ has decorated the Tree. Since he was hanging his binky on the tree, he arrives each holiday season to decorate the tree with a lifetime of memories. We cherish all these moments! ...