NEWS About Exhibitions, Events & Social Media Posts
I invite you into my world as an artist through intimate glimpses of studio life, exhibitions, preparations, and the creative process that fuels my work. My writing chronicles adventures, garden-inspired creations, and the evolution of my artistic vision.
Follow along on my blogs and social media where I regularly share my journey. My photography and videography offer visual narratives that complement my written reflections—capturing moments of beauty and inspiration that bring joy to everyday life.
November 20 – December 21, 2025 1200 NY-25A, Stony Brook, NY 11790
The Museum is open: Thursday: 11:30 am to 7:00 pm & Friday–Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Reception: Thursday, November 20th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m
The Long Island Museum and LIMarts are thrilled to present Common Ground, celebrating the vibrant creativity of our region’s artists.
For generations, LIM has served as a gathering place where people of all ages come together to experience the art, history, and culture that define our region. This year’s exhibition centers on the theme of Common Ground, an exploration of shared spaces, community, environment, and cultural connection.
Each artist was invited to reflect on what Common Ground means to them—whether it’s rooted in land, identity, gathering, or personal connection. The exhibition invites visitors to consider how we may share commonalities with one another and discover something new about ourselves along the way. While Long Island itself is our shared foundation, every artist brings their own story and perspective to life here.
LIMarts is a special initiative dedicated to supporting and showcasing the exceptional visual artists who call Long Island home—from Brooklyn to Montauk and beyond. This annual exhibition celebrates the diversity, creativity, and talent that make our community so extraordinary.
This artwork sparks a vital conversation that reflects the interconnectedness and delicate balance within both the microcosm of my garden and the macrocosm of the cosmos. These identifiable floral Images are glazed and intertwined with my abstract underpaintings inspired by the visuals of the universe.
By recognizing the delicate balance required for both terrestrial and celestial ecosystems to thrive, I aim to provide a visual context for understanding the essential balance necessary to sustain life’s intricate harmony across all scales – from the tiniest flower to the grandest galaxy.
Through this layered, evocative imagery, I invite viewers to pause, contemplate, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the fragile yet resilient web of life that sustains our world and cosmos.
Juried into this dynamic exhibition by Joshua Ruff, Co-Director of the Long Island Museum of Art, is my oil painting, Phantasm – Coral Peony.
“Phantasm – Coral Sunset Peony”, a 36×36″ oil painting, is a vivid celebration of life’s vibrant energy inspired by the peonies that enchant my garden. Imagine a dynamic dance of colors—pink, yellow, and orange petals that swirl with a captivating grace, all harmoniously converging towards a lively green center. The energy in the petals encircling the center of the flower also represents the feeling humans have when they are moved by emotions. This piece is about celebrating movement and color, capturing the very essence of a flower in full bloom. It invites you to step into a world where every brushstroke is infused with the joy and wonder of nature’s beauty. I hope it inspires a moment of reflection and connection to the natural vibrancy all around us.
Imagination ’25 Exhibition at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James, NY
This is a very interesting show to see. Very unusual and perfect for the Halloween season.
My work was juried into this “Imagination” exhibition but the other work in this show is very, very different in style. There are many excellent and imaginative works for you to see. Give yourself a treat and go to see this fascinating show.
Mills Pond Gallery, 660 New York 25A, St James, NY. Gallery Open, Wed-Fri, 10-4pm. Sat & Sun, 12-4pm
Sitting on our balcony at the Hyatt in Sedona I`ve been looking at our hiking photos while taking in the view. I don`t know what`s better, sitting, looking and absorbing the view, or hiking and being a part of the natural landscape and seeing it, feeling it, smelling it, hearing it and being a part of it up close. Both have their magical moments. Upsides and downsides.
Sitting on our balcony at the Hyatt in Sedona I`ve been looking at our hiking photos while taking in the view. I don`t know what`s better, sitting, looking and absorbing the view, or hiking and being a part of the natural landscape and seeing it, feeling it, smelling it, hearing it and being a part of it up close. Both have their magical moments. Upsides and downsides....
16
2
Took a refreshing hike in Fay Canyon the other day while on our Sedona vacation. Really glad I work out with a trainer twice a week doing strength and balance training. Hiking poles are a must since the ground is rough with rocks, pebbles and boulders to climb over. So glad that someone offered to take photos of both of us together. We have so many shots of each other that you`d think we were on vacation alone. Ha!
Took a refreshing hike in Fay Canyon the other day while on our Sedona vacation. Really glad I work out with a trainer twice a week doing strength and balance training. Hiking poles are a must since the ground is rough with rocks, pebbles and boulders to climb over. So glad that someone offered to take photos of both of us together. We have so many shots of each other that you`d think we were on vacation alone. Ha!...
23
4
On the Times Square billboard during the No Kings Protests on Saturday, October 18th, Ceres Gallery posted a graphic I designed featuring the Pink Paperclip. The Paper Clip Protest was reintroduced by E. Jean Carroll, the woman who won two lawsuits against Trump. She wrote in her column, “Comely Reader! I suggest we all start wearing the paper clip. Subtler than a red hat, more powerful as a CONNECTION.” She explained they were also worn during World War II as a sign of resistance against the Nazis. Norwegian teachers and students wore paper clips to signal their opposition to Nazi occupation. They attached them to their lapels and wore them as jewelry, a symbol of solidarity binding them together as paper clips did with papers. It was a quiet act of defiance, expressing that Norwegians remained united against Nazi rule.
On the Times Square billboard during the No Kings Protests on Saturday, October 18th, Ceres Gallery posted a graphic I designed featuring the Pink Paperclip. The Paper Clip Protest was reintroduced by E. Jean Carroll, the woman who won two lawsuits against Trump. She wrote in her column, “Comely Reader! I suggest we all start wearing the paper clip. Subtler than a red hat, more powerful as a CONNECTION.” She explained they were also worn during World War II as a sign of resistance against the Nazis. Norwegian teachers and students wore paper clips to signal their opposition to Nazi occupation. They attached them to their lapels and wore them as jewelry, a symbol of solidarity binding them together as paper clips did with papers. It was a quiet act of defiance, expressing that Norwegians remained united against Nazi rule....
19
3
What an interesting show this is. Very unusual and perfect for the Halloween season. My work was juried into this "Imagination" exhibition but the other work in this show is very, very different. There are a lot of excellent and imaginative works for you to see. Give yourself a treat and go to see this fascinating show. Mills Pond Gallery, 660 New York 25A, St James, NY.
What an interesting show this is. Very unusual and perfect for the Halloween season. My work was juried into this "Imagination" exhibition but the other work in this show is very, very different. There are a lot of excellent and imaginative works for you to see. Give yourself a treat and go to see this fascinating show. Mills Pond Gallery, 660 New York 25A, St James, NY....
21
4
Here I am, putting the finishing touches on my latest painting, Cosmic Iris. She`s a 36x36" oil on canvas. This painting was inspired by a gentle shade of coral iris I grow in my garden, named Beverly Sills. Why this painting decided it wanted to be loud and brash is beyond me. Maybe it`s because Beverly Sills was a famous opera singer. I think she would have appreciated this broad energy since she also projected that energy too.
Here I am, putting the finishing touches on my latest painting, Cosmic Iris. She`s a 36x36" oil on canvas. This painting was inspired by a gentle shade of coral iris I grow in my garden, named Beverly Sills. Why this painting decided it wanted to be loud and brash is beyond me. Maybe it`s because Beverly Sills was a famous opera singer. I think she would have appreciated this broad energy since she also projected that energy too....
27
3
Did you ever notice how often you step just beyond where your body wants to be? That is what creeps up on me on hot summer days in the garden when I`m digging, pushing, pulling and totally enjoying myself. I get so engrossed with what I`m doing that I just push past the warning line. When does it happen to you and what do you do about it? Read my latest Substack article about this issue. https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/taking-responsibility
Did you ever notice how often you step just beyond where your body wants to be? That is what creeps up on me on hot summer days in the garden when I`m digging, pushing, pulling and totally enjoying myself. I get so engrossed with what I`m doing that I just push past the warning line. When does it happen to you and what do you do about it? Read my latest Substack article about this issue. https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/taking-responsibility...
12
2
The latest edition of my Connoisseurs Newsletter was sent out. It`s filled with glimpses into what`s new in my studio and what`s happening in the garden. Additionally, it announced two upcoming exhibitions and my latest articles, which were published on Substack. If you missed this newsletter, you can view it online. Link in Bio: https://mailchi.mp/ca51471b5df0/2025-10-03-maryahernartist-newsletter
The latest edition of my Connoisseurs Newsletter was sent out. It`s filled with glimpses into what`s new in my studio and what`s happening in the garden. Additionally, it announced two upcoming exhibitions and my latest articles, which were published on Substack. If you missed this newsletter, you can view it online. Link in Bio: https://mailchi.mp/ca51471b5df0/2025-10-03-maryahernartist-newsletter...
12
2
Bugs for me were always icky. They made me jump away and scream when I was a kid. Probably because the boys loved to throw them at us just to get that reaction. Well, fast forward, and I still jump when a bug lands on me unexpectedly. It`s a pretty difficult situation to avoid when you`re a gardener. Read about how bugs changed everything in my art in my latest Substack article, "Why I Paint Big Flowers". Link in Bio. https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/why-i-paint-big-flowers
Bugs for me were always icky. They made me jump away and scream when I was a kid. Probably because the boys loved to throw them at us just to get that reaction. Well, fast forward, and I still jump when a bug lands on me unexpectedly. It`s a pretty difficult situation to avoid when you`re a gardener. Read about how bugs changed everything in my art in my latest Substack article, "Why I Paint Big Flowers". Link in Bio. https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/why-i-paint-big-flowers...
2
1
Today and for a few weeks (in our family, we call that our Birthday season) I`m celebrating turning 78. I celebrate since I have wisdom I`ve earned over time, strength I continue to build upon, generosity I can share since I am not poor in spirit, and kindness since I have received it in times when I was in most need. Age isn`t a number. Age is an attitude. At times I feel ageless. Others, not so much. But I`m proud of the effort I put into living my life fully. I don`t take any day for granted and have an abundance of gratitude that I`ve been able to stay healthy and this active. Happy Birthday to me!
Today and for a few weeks (in our family, we call that our Birthday season) I`m celebrating turning 78. I celebrate since I have wisdom I`ve earned over time, strength I continue to build upon, generosity I can share since I am not poor in spirit, and kindness since I have received it in times when I was in most need. Age isn`t a number. Age is an attitude. At times I feel ageless. Others, not so much. But I`m proud of the effort I put into living my life fully. I don`t take any day for granted and have an abundance of gratitude that I`ve been able to stay healthy and this active. Happy Birthday to me!...
55
20
Today was the opening of the Salmagundi show with my "Sunflowers With Makkum Pot - Homage to van Gogh". The show is on view through Oct. 3rd. Here is the official announcement: Opening today, step into an oasis of botanical beauty in our ground-floor Rockwell gallery. This year`s annual floral exhibition, in honor of major benefactor Sylvia Maria Glesmann, presents a stunning array of floral paintings; each a vibrant testament to nature`s colors and forms. View the artwork at: https://salmagundi.org/2025-scny-glesmann-floral-exhibition/
Today was the opening of the Salmagundi show with my "Sunflowers With Makkum Pot - Homage to van Gogh". The show is on view through Oct. 3rd. Here is the official announcement: Opening today, step into an oasis of botanical beauty in our ground-floor Rockwell gallery. This year`s annual floral exhibition, in honor of major benefactor Sylvia Maria Glesmann, presents a stunning array of floral paintings; each a vibrant testament to nature`s colors and forms. View the artwork at: https://salmagundi.org/2025-scny-glesmann-floral-exhibition/...
9
2
Recently, someone who came to my studio looked around at all the walls and asked whether I only ever paint flowers. The question stopped me in my tracks. It seemed like a judgment. That somehow, I was a limited artist who couldn’t paint anything else. I guess the word "only" made a difference to me. Every once in a while, I’ve heard this type of statement, but for some reason, this time it struck a chord with me. Perhaps it was because the person who asked it was also an artist. Read More on Substack: https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/do-you-only-ever-paint-flowers
Recently, someone who came to my studio looked around at all the walls and asked whether I only ever paint flowers. The question stopped me in my tracks. It seemed like a judgment. That somehow, I was a limited artist who couldn’t paint anything else. I guess the word "only" made a difference to me. Every once in a while, I’ve heard this type of statement, but for some reason, this time it struck a chord with me. Perhaps it was because the person who asked it was also an artist. Read More on Substack: https://maryahernartist.substack.com/p/do-you-only-ever-paint-flowers...
19
3
Starting September off the right way with a 20-mile bike ride around the perimeter of Shelter Island. We love the mini vacation on the ferry that takes us from Greenport to the island. The weather couldn`t have been better for us, in the 70s, no wind and lightly overcast. Perfect for riding. The drive from Northport to Greenport takes an hour and a half, and we happily hit no traffic, which was surprising since it was Labor Day.
Starting September off the right way with a 20-mile bike ride around the perimeter of Shelter Island. We love the mini vacation on the ferry that takes us from Greenport to the island. The weather couldn`t have been better for us, in the 70s, no wind and lightly overcast. Perfect for riding. The drive from Northport to Greenport takes an hour and a half, and we happily hit no traffic, which was surprising since it was Labor Day....
