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.
When I was a young child growing up in Brooklyn NY, we would travel as a family to Holland to visit our relatives. As one would expect, I was always exposed to new ideas and experiences beyond the normal and predictable rhythm of my life. One day my mother`s oldest sister, Tante Wilh handed me a fork and a bowl and sent me out to her garden and told me somehow or other with hand signals, my broken Dutch, and her broken English to get the red berries from the shrub growing along the edge of the garden. I found this big green shrub with these tiny bright red round berries. I used the fork as she had pantomimed, to slide the tines of the fork along the sides of the branch edge that was holding the berries. When I did so, the berries popped into the bowl she had given me. I felt so proud to be given such a great responsibility. This year at one of the nurseries I frequent, I saw a bit of bright color dangling from the tips of the branches of a shrub. Within moments that shrub ended up in the back of my SUV. Now, sitting with pride of place in the middle of the shrubs and perennials in my front garden is that Current bush. I can still feel the sense of belonging that Tante Wilh gave to me by sharing and teaching me about creating meals, about family, about inclusion, about process, and about growth, as I stood by her side, elbow to elbow in the kitchen. Read the full story on my Garden Blog post. Link in Profile
When I was a young child growing up in Brooklyn NY, we would travel as a family to Holland to visit our relatives. As one would expect, I was always exposed to new ideas and experiences beyond the normal and predictable rhythm of my life. One day my mother`s oldest sister, Tante Wilh handed me a fork and a bowl and sent me out to her garden and told me somehow or other with hand signals, my broken Dutch, and her broken English to get the red berries from the shrub growing along the edge of the garden. I found this big green shrub with these tiny bright red round berries. I used the fork as she had pantomimed, to slide the tines of the fork along the sides of the branch edge that was holding the berries. When I did so, the berries popped into the bowl she had given me. I felt so proud to be given such a great responsibility. This year at one of the nurseries I frequent, I saw a bit of bright color dangling from the tips of the branches of a shrub. Within moments that shrub ended up in the back of my SUV. Now, sitting with pride of place in the middle of the shrubs and perennials in my front garden is that Current bush. I can still feel the sense of belonging that Tante Wilh gave to me by sharing and teaching me about creating meals, about family, about inclusion, about process, and about growth, as I stood by her side, elbow to elbow in the kitchen. Read the full story on my Garden Blog post. Link in Profile...
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"Infinity - Acorn & Oak Leaf" delves into the perpetual cycle of existence, inviting contemplation of nature`s intricate patterns. Nestled at the leaf`s base lies an acorn, a potent symbol of rebirth and continuity. This juxtaposition of leaf and seed eloquently narrates the story of life`s beginning and end, underscoring their profound interconnectedness. Despite its modest 12" x 12" dimensions, the artwork projects concepts far grander than its physical size suggests. It celebrates nature`s resilience and nurturing spirit, encapsulating autumn`s poignant charm and life`s cyclical nature within its compact frame. Through this piece, viewers are gently guided to reflect on the ephemerality of individual existence and the enduring persistence of life itself. "Infinity - Acorn & Oak Leaf" stands as a visual meditation on the beauty found in life`s transitions and the quiet hope embodied in every new beginning. Its small scale serves to intensify the viewer`s focus, creating an intimate experience that belies the vastness of its thematic scope. View this painting for sale on my website. Link is in my profile.
"Infinity - Acorn & Oak Leaf" delves into the perpetual cycle of existence, inviting contemplation of nature`s intricate patterns. Nestled at the leaf`s base lies an acorn, a potent symbol of rebirth and continuity. This juxtaposition of leaf and seed eloquently narrates the story of life`s beginning and end, underscoring their profound interconnectedness. Despite its modest 12" x 12" dimensions, the artwork projects concepts far grander than its physical size suggests. It celebrates nature`s resilience and nurturing spirit, encapsulating autumn`s poignant charm and life`s cyclical nature within its compact frame. Through this piece, viewers are gently guided to reflect on the ephemerality of individual existence and the enduring persistence of life itself. "Infinity - Acorn & Oak Leaf" stands as a visual meditation on the beauty found in life`s transitions and the quiet hope embodied in every new beginning. Its small scale serves to intensify the viewer`s focus, creating an intimate experience that belies the vastness of its thematic scope. View this painting for sale on my website. Link is in my profile....
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Sitting in my living room looking around at the plants I`m bringing in for the winter and I glanced over and saw this unplanned combination. Wow! My 4-year-old Croton plant stands proudly in front to my oil painting. The "Pay Attention Here-Orange Hibiscus" is a 36x36" oil on canvas. I was so stunned to see how beautifully they both complement each other. It was an unexpected and unplanned surprise.
Sitting in my living room looking around at the plants I`m bringing in for the winter and I glanced over and saw this unplanned combination. Wow! My 4-year-old Croton plant stands proudly in front to my oil painting. The "Pay Attention Here-Orange Hibiscus" is a 36x36" oil on canvas. I was so stunned to see how beautifully they both complement each other. It was an unexpected and unplanned surprise. ...
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End of an era. I have moved out of the Firefly Gallery on Main Street in Northport Village due to creative differences. Of course, all my artwork including my note cards is still available directly from me. If you are local and want to come to my studio to choose the work please go to my profile for the contact link. If you are interested in my work but not in proximity, all of my prints and paintings are available in my website shop. The link for that is also in my profile. I`m looking forward to the next step in my life`s journey! Stay tuned.
End of an era. I have moved out of the Firefly Gallery on Main Street in Northport Village due to creative differences. Of course, all my artwork including my note cards is still available directly from me. If you are local and want to come to my studio to choose the work please go to my profile for the contact link. If you are interested in my work but not in proximity, all of my prints and paintings are available in my website shop. The link for that is also in my profile. I`m looking forward to the next step in my life`s journey! Stay tuned....
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This is Day 8 of this colored pencil drawing of the purple daylily. I usually can`t draw for more than an hour and a half since I get hand cramps. But that is just the right amount of time, since studying color so closely, believe it or not, my eyes get tired too. I don`t let obstacles like that get in my way of creating, I just switch the way I work or what I`m working on. DM. me if you are interested in owning this artwork. It is 5x5" on Stonehenge Fine Art Paper. $149. unframed. Domestic shipping is included.
This is Day 8 of this colored pencil drawing of the purple daylily. I usually can`t draw for more than an hour and a half since I get hand cramps. But that is just the right amount of time, since studying color so closely, believe it or not, my eyes get tired too. I don`t let obstacles like that get in my way of creating, I just switch the way I work or what I`m working on. DM. me if you are interested in owning this artwork. It is 5x5" on Stonehenge Fine Art Paper. $149. unframed. Domestic shipping is included....
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Check out my Art Blog post about: Women Helping Women: A Recipe for Success. Originally published in Sanctuary Magazine, I`ve now posted the article to my Art Blog. https://www.maryahernartist.com/art-blog/women-helping-women-a-recipe-for-success/ There were women who stepped into my life’s journey that changed the course of my life at critical junctures that I only realized in hindsight. This is a tribute to the women who changed the trajectory of my life and what I`m doing now by paying it forward. Read the article on my Art Blog: www.MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog
Check out my Art Blog post about: Women Helping Women: A Recipe for Success. Originally published in Sanctuary Magazine, I`ve now posted the article to my Art Blog. https://www.maryahernartist.com/art-blog/women-helping-women-a-recipe-for-success/ There were women who stepped into my life’s journey that changed the course of my life at critical junctures that I only realized in hindsight. This is a tribute to the women who changed the trajectory of my life and what I`m doing now by paying it forward. Read the article on my Art Blog: www.MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog...
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My latest article has just been published in Sanctuary Magazine. A magazine whose mission is: Empowering and Inspiring Women with Compelling Content. My article is titled: A Strategy to Embrace: Lifelong Learning. I`m in my 70s and very excited since I`m back at school and taking a new class. We are so lucky now that there are many ways to continue learning. We can take classes in traditional, in-person settings, take online workshops, or pursue a hybrid balance. What a gift! My pursuit of knowledge has always been eclectic. I study what I want and when I want (or need) to enhance the projects I`m working on. Not one to seek the traditional B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. stepping stones, I followed the lyrics made famous by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way." Read the whole article in Sanctuary Magazine at: https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/marys-art-starts-in-the-garden-september-24.html See link in my profile bio.
My latest article has just been published in Sanctuary Magazine. A magazine whose mission is: Empowering and Inspiring Women with Compelling Content. My article is titled: A Strategy to Embrace: Lifelong Learning. I`m in my 70s and very excited since I`m back at school and taking a new class. We are so lucky now that there are many ways to continue learning. We can take classes in traditional, in-person settings, take online workshops, or pursue a hybrid balance. What a gift! My pursuit of knowledge has always been eclectic. I study what I want and when I want (or need) to enhance the projects I`m working on. Not one to seek the traditional B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. stepping stones, I followed the lyrics made famous by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way." Read the whole article in Sanctuary Magazine at: https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/marys-art-starts-in-the-garden-september-24.html See link in my profile bio....
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Rehung my wall at the Firefly Gallery to join in the Works on Paper show theme. All the giclées are prints of my original artwork. Some were oil paintins, some were watercolor, some were colored pencil and there`s also some digital imaging. A nice way to inexpensively bring happiness into your space. Stop by 90 Main Street in Northport Village to enjoy the entire show.
Rehung my wall at the Firefly Gallery to join in the Works on Paper show theme. All the giclées are prints of my original artwork. Some were oil paintins, some were watercolor, some were colored pencil and there`s also some digital imaging. A nice way to inexpensively bring happiness into your space. Stop by 90 Main Street in Northport Village to enjoy the entire show....