NEWS About Exhibitions, Events & Social Media Posts
I invite you into my world as an artist through intimate glimpses of studio life, exhibition 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.
Current and Upcoming Exhibitions & Events
Full Circles: The Art of Mary Ahern & Virginia Mallon, looks at the arc of work made by two Queens College art school alums over their 40+ year creative journey.
Click here for more info about this Exhibition!

April 7 to May 5, 2025 at QUEENS COLLEGE ART CENTER
65-30 Kissena Blvd, 6th Fl, Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, Flushing, NY
Reception, 4pm to 7pm, Thursday, April 10th
Gallery open weekdays 1-4pm, and by appointment.

May 28 – June 21, 2025. Raising Women’s Voices. Ceres Gallery Group Exhibition.
547 West 27th St
Suite 201 New York
NY 10001
Social Media
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This is What I’ve Been Talking About on Instagram Recently
On May 2nd I began the transition of bringing the plants I overwinter in my former darkroom, now my plant room. These are cuttings and divisions of plants I`ve had, in many cases, for years. Most have fond memories of friends who originally shared them with me. Gardening is about centering, remembering, and the continuation of life. It offers me inspiration in many ways.

On May 2nd I began the transition of bringing the plants I overwinter in my former darkroom, now my plant room. These are cuttings and divisions of plants I`ve had, in many cases, for years. Most have fond memories of friends who originally shared them with me. Gardening is about centering, remembering, and the continuation of life. It offers me inspiration in many ways.
Take a Minute. Each day, I spend some time looking intensely at overlooked visions in nature. This exercise serves to slow me down and give me a moment of calmness and awareness in this otherwise chaotic world. My garden is my sanctuary.

Take a Minute. Each day, I spend some time looking intensely at overlooked visions in nature. This exercise serves to slow me down and give me a moment of calmness and awareness in this otherwise chaotic world. My garden is my sanctuary.
Looking forward to moving my winter hobby outside to my deck for their summer vacation. This unheated former root cellar used to be my darkroom back in the day. It smelled of chemicals. After I went fully digital, the room stayed empty until I had the bright idea to install plant lights. I used the existing sink, water supply, and cabinetry to make a home to overwinter my tropical plants. The fresh smell of soil helps get me through those short, dark days of winter.

Looking forward to moving my winter hobby outside to my deck for their summer vacation. This unheated former root cellar used to be my darkroom back in the day. It smelled of chemicals. After I went fully digital, the room stayed empty until I had the bright idea to install plant lights. I used the existing sink, water supply, and cabinetry to make a home to overwinter my tropical plants. The fresh smell of soil helps get me through those short, dark days of winter.
Because I paint large flowers, people naturally say, “Oh, you must like Georgia O’Keeffe.” What they don’t know is that Georgia’s work drew me in not through her flowers but through her abstractions and her skulls. The sensuality of her forms triggered me. I was moved deeply by her lightened color palette. I’d never seen paintings that had that lightness, that buoyancy. They had a girlie-girl feel to them. I didn’t have the language to understand what moved me at the time. I probably still don’t. But her work made me feel like a woman—a soft, light, gentle, free spirit.
Read my latest Substack Post. Link is in Bio

Because I paint large flowers, people naturally say, “Oh, you must like Georgia O’Keeffe.” What they don’t know is that Georgia’s work drew me in not through her flowers but through her abstractions and her skulls. The sensuality of her forms triggered me. I was moved deeply by her lightened color palette. I’d never seen paintings that had that lightness, that buoyancy. They had a girlie-girl feel to them. I didn’t have the language to understand what moved me at the time. I probably still don’t. But her work made me feel like a woman—a soft, light, gentle, free spirit.
Read my latest Substack Post. Link is in Bio
This oil painting, A Promise of Spring, is currently in the Full Circles: Then and Now Exhibition at Queens College in Flushing, NY. It was one of the earliest paintings I created in the 1970s. The crooked window and the bare tree reflected my emotions during the cold month of February while waiting impatiently for the renewal of spring.
Link in Bio for Queens College show info.

This oil painting, A Promise of Spring, is currently in the Full Circles: Then and Now Exhibition at Queens College in Flushing, NY. It was one of the earliest paintings I created in the 1970s. The crooked window and the bare tree reflected my emotions during the cold month of February while waiting impatiently for the renewal of spring.
Link in Bio for Queens College show info.
At work in my studio, as I listen to 70s classic rock, I paint. The lighting was specially designed for overall balance and is specific for color accuracy. As I paint, I usually listen to 70s classic rock. Rather loud I might add. Today`s soundtrack was Joe Cocker`s Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

At work in my studio, as I listen to 70s classic rock, I paint. The lighting was specially designed for overall balance and is specific for color accuracy. As I paint, I usually listen to 70s classic rock. Rather loud I might add. Today`s soundtrack was Joe Cocker`s Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
The exhibition Full Circles: Then and Now with Virginia Mallon opened this week at the Rosenthal Library at Queens College. What a fun experience meeting and talking to the students who come to see the show. We laugh when they realize I graduated before they were born. Time sure flies when you’re having fun!
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#maryahernartist #contemporaryart #myartstartsinthegarden #art #artist #exhibition #queenscollege @queenscollegeofficial

The exhibition Full Circles: Then and Now with Virginia Mallon opened this week at the Rosenthal Library at Queens College. What a fun experience meeting and talking to the students who come to see the show. We laugh when they realize I graduated before they were born. Time sure flies when you’re having fun!
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#maryahernartist #contemporaryart #myartstartsinthegarden #art #artist #exhibition #queenscollege @queenscollegeofficial
Hubby Dave and I hung the Queens College exhibition this weekend. I have over 20 works, ranging from the 1970s to the present. It`s a biographical story of my life in a visual sort of way. It`s been interesting for me to pour over the work I created over 50 years ago. My imagery has changed, but the continuum of metaphors is still in the work.

Hubby Dave and I hung the Queens College exhibition this weekend. I have over 20 works, ranging from the 1970s to the present. It`s a biographical story of my life in a visual sort of way. It`s been interesting for me to pour over the work I created over 50 years ago. My imagery has changed, but the continuum of metaphors is still in the work.
Springtime sounds and sights in my garden make my heart sing. Take a minute to slow down and enjoy nature. You`ll feel better, calmer and happier if you do.
#meditation #myartstartsinthegarden #garden #maryahernartist #takeaminute #natureview #mygarden

Springtime sounds and sights in my garden make my heart sing. Take a minute to slow down and enjoy nature. You`ll feel better, calmer and happier if you do.
#meditation #myartstartsinthegarden #garden #maryahernartist #takeaminute #natureview #mygarden
Here`s my set up today for photographing this sculpture I made back in the days I was studying at Queens College. It will be in the show I`m hanging there this weekend. The show opens on Monday 1-4. I`ll be there so stop in and say Hi! I`ll tell you all about this assemblage made from acrylic, pink fiberglass insulation and fishing line. You`ll love the story and meaning behind this series. Just ask!

Here`s my set up today for photographing this sculpture I made back in the days I was studying at Queens College. It will be in the show I`m hanging there this weekend. The show opens on Monday 1-4. I`ll be there so stop in and say Hi! I`ll tell you all about this assemblage made from acrylic, pink fiberglass insulation and fishing line. You`ll love the story and meaning behind this series. Just ask!
Sometimes, it`s hard for me to believe that my paintings come to life from this mess on my palette. All those bright colors and exuberant flowers are made from layer after layer of these smears of paint. I know that if it surprises me, it has to surprise you too. What are your thoughts?

Sometimes, it`s hard for me to believe that my paintings come to life from this mess on my palette. All those bright colors and exuberant flowers are made from layer after layer of these smears of paint. I know that if it surprises me, it has to surprise you too. What are your thoughts?
Cosmic Daylily Trio. Oil on Canvas. 24x48". Created in 2024 - $4,500
Upcoming Exhibition: Full Circles: The Art of Mary Ahern & Virginia Mallon, looks at the arc of work made by two Queens College art school alums over their 40+ year creative journey.
April 7 to May 5, 2025 at QUEENS COLLEGE ART CENTER
65-30 Kissena Blvd, 6th Fl, Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, Flushing, NY
Reception, 4pm to 7pm, Thursday, April 10th
Gallery open weekdays 1-4pm, and by appointment.

Cosmic Daylily Trio. Oil on Canvas. 24x48". Created in 2024 - $4,500
Upcoming Exhibition: Full Circles: The Art of Mary Ahern & Virginia Mallon, looks at the arc of work made by two Queens College art school alums over their 40+ year creative journey.
April 7 to May 5, 2025 at QUEENS COLLEGE ART CENTER
65-30 Kissena Blvd, 6th Fl, Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, Flushing, NY
Reception, 4pm to 7pm, Thursday, April 10th
Gallery open weekdays 1-4pm, and by appointment.